Mounting a Bimini
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22123
Printed Date: November-20-2024 at 12:28am
Topic: Mounting a Bimini
Posted By: Bryan89
Subject: Mounting a Bimini
Date Posted: June-15-2011 at 7:18pm
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I am about to start the process of adding a bimini to my 97 SN. I have a couple of questions to make sure that the install goes smoothly.
My strategy for drilling holes for the mounting hardware is to drill a pilot hole then drill a counter sink hole to remove gel coat so I do not get cracks in the gel. Is this correct? Any other tips on mounting the hardware and or bimini? Also, any pictures of bimini mount locations on a 97-2001 SN would be helpful to get an idea of where I want to put it. Thanks in advance, Bryan |
Replies:
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: June-15-2011 at 7:30pm
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put masking tape in the area where you will make the holes...drill over the tape and you will have no issues with the gel...
a and measure twice, and when you are ready to drill measure again... pictures of the mounting location: check the diaries section, tons of pictures of boats of that year range to look at... ------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: dwp
Date Posted: June-16-2011 at 12:29am
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I just added one to my 2000 Sport Nautique, and yes I hated doing it also, but got through it. Olde adage, measure twice, cut once. Well, my sugestion, measure 3 times, drill once. Start with a pilot hole. Then re-drill 1-2 sizes smaller than the screw. Then surface drill, and surface drill ONLY, the gelcoat with a drill twice, maybe three times the size of the second drill size you used to prepare the screw hole. This worked well form me and the bimini is secure.
Good Luck! ------------- |
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: June-16-2011 at 1:29am
| Everthing sounds good, but I'll add run the drill in reverse. Its a little slow, but it won't grab the fibers as it goes. Taper(counter sink) the gel coat, it's brittle and cracks easy so you don't want the screws to touch it. |
Posted By: Scrawford
Date Posted: June-16-2011 at 7:55pm
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Wow, you guys are way more intense than me. I mounted mine with a pilot hole then the actual and it went well. Sounds like I was lucky on my 97 SN.
If I was to do it again there is two things I would have done differently. One, rotate the brackets higher onto the gel coat. I put mine at about a 45 degree angle on the deck and the stainless buckle now rubs on the gel coat so I to make up some string leaders to get the buckle away. Two, one of the buckles falls PERFECTLY in-line with a boom. I didn't think about it at the time b/c we didn't have a boom but now whenever we put the boom on I have to remove the starboard clip. I will be out at my boat this weekend so if you want some pics drop me a message. ------------- Eric 97 196 Closed Bow |
Posted By: Bryan89
Date Posted: June-16-2011 at 9:15pm
| Thanks for all the help thus far, now all I need are the stones to drill! Scrawford, some pictures would be awesome. I am not sure I understand what you mean about mounting at a 45 degree angle. Also, did not even think about the boom. I will make sure mine will work thanks for the tip. Any other tips are appreciated. Thanks, Bryan |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: June-16-2011 at 11:16pm
I mounted mine into the windshield frame and used one of the vent screws for the foward strap location.
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Bryan89
Date Posted: June-16-2011 at 11:29pm
| harddock, Thanks for the picture, I like the way your bimini is mounted. Any tips on drilling into the windshield frame? What size screws did you use? I was also thinking about that option. Also, looking at the vent is yours mounted through the metal or the fiberglass around the vent? Thanks, Bryan |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: June-17-2011 at 12:26am
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I used the screws that came with the top (BMI) I think they are #8 or #10 and about 1/2"-3/4" long. For the front straps I used one of the vent screws and bolted the otherside through the metal. The rear straps are inside the gunnel near where the rubber steps are. I shortened the main legs of my top and can't fold the top foward but mine either lays on the motor box or is removed when not up. Mine is on unless we are using the skyhigh wakeboard pole. I would have had to put two cuts in the top and the skyhigh won't fit nder the canopy of my boatlift so it's no big deal. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: June-18-2011 at 11:34am
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If your worried about drilling into the gelcoat. It kills me to drill into nice gelcoat so I opted to use the rubrail. I mounted all the brackets straight into the rubrail and into the rope. Works great and when the top isn't used I don't need to worry bout snagging a toe when walking on the gunnels or jumping off into the water.
I mounted the hinge bracket just forward enough so that when I use the skylon the back of the bimini is against the pole. I did have to split the seam in the top at the front to allow for the strap to pass thru. Just reinforced the seam by restitching it. 
 ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: Scrawford
Date Posted: June-20-2011 at 1:09pm
Here are some pictures I took over the weekend. Like I said above, the main issue was that I mounted the strap clips too far down the deck, making the buckles rub against the deck (because when tight they don't stay at the peak of the loop, they slip down the side). To fix this I am going to make up some string leaders for each strap. ------------- Eric 97 196 Closed Bow |
Posted By: Jones
Date Posted: June-20-2011 at 1:47pm
------------- 1979 Ski Nautique (sold) 1997 Ski Nautique 1998 Super Sport Nautique |
harddock wrote:Posted By: dillon5
Date Posted: June-21-2011 at 12:33am
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I too mounted mine so the back of the bimini touches the fly-high pole, and we had to cut an opening in the front of the bimini for the strap. We covered the hole with a rectangular piece sewn on one end and with velcro on the sides and other end to hold it in place when the pole is not up. I sort of wish I had moved the bimini back a little, but I would have had to cut another hole in the back for the pole to go through, plus it makes it easier to get in and out of the front seats. ------------- 95 Nautique 351 |