ever make a flat bimini ?

scrogg dogg · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 27

Has any one ever made a bimini that is flat and mounts in between the sides of the tower? Just looking for a cheap way to make a bimini. If this wont work, I would like some feedback on regular home made biminis.

tn_guy212000 · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 268

I was getting ready to create a post about building a bimini myself when this caugght my eye. I am currently building a tower to fit my boat and figured why not build a biminni too, but i have no idea how

SupraNut · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 103 City: Mooresville

The original Supra Launch had a flat bimini that mounted to the tower legs. Someone has got to have some pictures.

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

is bimini pronounced

bi me knee --- as in bikini

or is it

bih mih knee

Question

DRAGON88 · Posted: Mar 18, 2004 11:18 pm Post subject:

i say it bih mih kneee

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 19, 2004 1:13 am Post subject: Flat bimini

If it's flat there could be a problem with flapping as the material will either not be under sufficient tension or there will be a large unsupported area. No doubt they are shaped for a reason.........

To stop it flapping or billowing out you'd either need a frame on both sides or some mechanism of securing it to the frame using loops of material stitched to the underside that pass over/around the frame members. I still think it would flap but only to the extent that the loops would allow. This could still be irritating.

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

There is a shop here in the San Antonio area that makes custom towers and bimini tops for boats. I have seen some of their work on boats parked at the lake, as well as at the boat show. For their biminis, they make a frame out of @1" aluminum tubing with 2 cross supports welded in the entire width of the frame. The front, back, and cross supports are not completely flat, but bow slightly up in the middle. Over this frame they lay the bimini material, which has had holes and metal grommets placed every 2" or so around the edges. They then simply wrap a long piece of rope in and out of the grommets and wrap it around the frame after each grommet. This rope is tied off to the frame at the starting/endpoint. I don't know how well it works in person, but this place makes very high quality towers and comes highly recommended from the local Mastercraft dealer. Looks like a very simple design. I don't have any pics, sorry.

cstmgsxr · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 470

ATROPINE, pleas try to get a few pics of that, that sounds similar to a overhead bimini like on a console boal, and it would really help alot of DIY's on here.

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

http://www.prolinealum.com/prolin54.jpg

Search around on their website, there are a few pics of their work. They really do excellent work from what I've seen. It's hard to tell from this pic, but I'm pretty sure there is a slight upward bow in the middle of the bimini and a couple of welded cross supports underneath.

scrogg dogg · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 27

I was going to make a frame that was the width of my tower and was a few inches deeper on both sides. Sounds like the one you just described. I will take a look at the web site. Thanks

scrogg dogg · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 27

That was it. Im going to have the material looped on the ends to fit the frame through and then I was going to have straps on the sides simular to what they have.... thanks again...

Delbert · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 112 City: Nashville

Here is an example.

tn_guy212000 · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 268

i know i saw a diy webpage of how to make a bimini top like this but i can not find it now anyone have any idea what the page is

scrogg dogg · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 27

I heard that there was a article on the diytower.com about a bimini out of conduent. If so, does anyone know where to find the article. I looked. that seems to be the easies way to make the frame.

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

if you do the bimini like pictured above, it seems like it would be easy to create some board racks for the top of it so that they just sit on the top of the bimini...I always thought about that when I considered that bimini top. ATROPINE's comment about using the rope was good...we use rope on the canvas top on our houseboat and never have any problems...we used to use the plastic ties, but when it would rain the weight of the water on the canvas would breaks the plastic ties...just somethin' to think about if you go with that design Wink

MX21 · Outlaw Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 143 City: Austin

darty -
Who did you have to sue to use the plastic ties - I would think you could just change them out. Wink

Just kidding - the only negative of the fixed bimini is that it is there for the entire trip (not really a negative - just less flexible).

I think they do have a nice clean look to them.

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

LOL...i guess I should start reading my posts or something before i post...we had a friend whose top filled up with water one week while they were away & it was hanging by a little more than one side...I suppose it wouldn't be that big of a deal for a smaller top...but the rope is really easy to do and looks really good.

MX21 · Outlaw Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 143 City: Austin

The one my buddy had arched cross braces and was slightly pitched down in the front - eliminated any problem with holding water. It was originally mounted level but at speed (with nose up slightly) it would catch air and "whip" a bit from air getting underneath.

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

What kind of material would you use for the top, and where would you purchase it? It would need to be pretty sturdy material but I was thinking it might be nice if it were slightly porous, to allow any accumulating H2O to seep through rather than pond up (although this shouldn't be necessary if you arch the cross supports and put enough of them in there). You would need to find some way to install some metal gromets in the material as well, and I have no idea where to find that kind of stuff...

MX21 · Outlaw Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 143 City: Austin

Sunbrella - lasts the longest and is pretty inexpensive in such a small amount. Unless you have an industrial sewing machine it is worth the $$ to have a shop stitch and place grommets with a press. Look for a sail or awning shop.

Fishmaster · Posted: Mar 21, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject:

This is basically a T-Top from a fishing boat mounted to the tower. I dont know of any that caught on bit OEM becuase of folding down but I have seen quite a few around. Any marine canvas shop can make the fabric and you can get all the materials and fittings you need at a local shop or at places like www.westmarine.com