bimini top

82,
   Check out the link to my '87 at the bottom of this post. I built my own bimini. Take a look, and I'd be happy to share the details.

   I've got about $100 wrapped up in it.

Glen

Here are some details of what I did:

    I used 3/4" OD aluminum tubing, and a conduit bender I borrowed from work to make the frame. I had to made some solid aluminum inserts to act as connectors between the sections of tubing. You could also use steel conduit (available at Lowes or Home Depot) rather than aluminum.

    I then used shaft collars that I bought from McMaster Carr to clamp onto the tower so I didn't have to drill any holes in the tower. The tower OD is an odd size (1.905") so I bought 1 7/8" (1.875") ID shaft collars, and bored them out to the 1.905 so I have a nice tight fit. I have access to a lathe at work, so it made the boring easy. www.mcmaster.com item #6436K26

    I then used some bolts to secure the frame to the shaft collars. I had to drill and tap a hole in each shaft collar for the bolt to thread into.

    I had a local Amish tarp shop make the vinyl portion. The vinyl is lashed onto the frame using rope so it looks a little like a tampoline.






    I used some 3/4" PVC pipe to prototype for size and shape before I used the 3/4" aluminum tubing.

    The pics don't show it, but the frame & vinyl is trapazoidal in shape. Narrower at the front, and wider in the back.

    Seeing what you did to get the tower mounted, this shouldn't be very difficult for you to do.

    Other questions, fire away...

Glen