Bimini top suggestions
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Common Questions
Forum Discription: Visit here first for common questions regarding your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35562
Printed Date: November-24-2024 at 12:31pm
Topic: Bimini top suggestions
Posted By: Orlando76
Subject: Bimini top suggestions
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 8:53am
I'm considering something that I thought I never would, a bimini on a Ski Nautique. No not my '76, that'd be horrible, but on an NWZ. Some bimini's look AWFUL on these boats, some look less awful. What's the size/make/model that looks best and what mounting location looks best? Pictures? I'd never do a tower and no extended pylon.  A possible boat, bimini looks goofy and mounted wrong.  Prime example of a hideous bimini. |
Replies:
Posted By: lewy2001
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 9:17am
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If you mounted that first one the right way around and had the straps attached to windscreen frame it would look ok. I like a small gap between the top of screen and bimini say 4-6" and have the windscreen line continue in the first bimini section. Make the back of the bimini high as you can as limbo dancing into drivers seat can be hazardous :) It is a bit of trial and error but they can be made to look OK. ------------- If you're going through hell, keep going http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2999" rel="nofollow - 89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 9:33am
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Lewy is right about the height but wrong about the orientation- the first bimini is not mounted backwards. A backwards mount can facilitate folding forward (laying in front of the windshield) but otherwise doesn't look right IMHO. Keeping the height as low as practical, matching the angle of the windshield when possible and giving the whole thing a slight forward rake keep the hideous-ness to a minimum. No bimini looks awesome but there certainly are some heinous looking ones out there. My attempt: 
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Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 10:41am
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I think they look great, call me crazy. I'm so used to seeing them that a boat without one looks like a skateboard to me. Every "working" 3-event boat has one, whether at a club, on a promo team, ski school, or at a tourney. Every single one. That purple one up top actually looks pretty good. The only adjustment I'd make is to lower it a bit but other than that the mount location is ideal (just behind the windshield wings) and it's the perfect size bimini. In addition to Tim's stuff I don't like when they are mounted too far forward (on windshield), when they are too flat (like a 2-bow one), too high, or, again, backward (main bow facing forward). They are also CRUCIAL when you have kids on the boat. The longer the naps, the longer your sets are. Also helps lengthen the day as everybody isn't baked in the sun for hours. Total day saver when the rain hits as well.  ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:15pm
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Mine is too wide IMO, but came with the boat & we only use it several times a year. I cut & sewed a hole in front section for Fly Hi cable to go through. The older I get, the less I like being a french fry. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: dmiracle
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:28pm
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Looks great guys. How about mounting suggestions? I want one too but just can't bring myself to drill the fiberglass. ------------- Doug |
Posted By: Air206
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:37pm
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I like the idea of mounting in the topside of the rub rail..... does that meet your sensibilities Doug? ------------- https://tinyurl.com/y6t5e3bu" rel="nofollow - 04 Air206 http://tinyurl.com/9urzgls" rel="nofollow - 91 Barefoot 78 SkiTiq |
Posted By: cboland
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:37pm
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I also couldn't bring myself to drill into the fiberglass, so I copied Morfoot's arrangement. Everything is attached to the rub rail. Seems to work fine. ------------- Bud 1999 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:43pm
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I think rubrail mounting would look a little odd and I'm really picky about the aesthetics of things like this. "Drill away" into the fiberglass, I say. You can always patch the gel later. There are plenty of threads about best practices for doing this on this site. ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:56pm
Ours was mounted to the window frame with the strap mounts on the deck. PO installed it and we recently had some mods done to allow for our fly high and strap. Works great. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: dmiracle
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:58pm
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Joel, Can you tell me the brand of yours or where you got it? Thanks! ------------- Doug |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 12:59pm
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13068" rel="nofollow - first google result for "m3fan bimini site:correctcraftfan.com/forum" Drill baby drill but try to keep the rear pad eyes off the topside of the deck. Those get in the way. They are a huge help in the rain. ------------- |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 1:35pm
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Putting the mounts to the rubrail works great for a couple reasons IMHO. One is that it means no drilling fiberglass, two when you aren't using the top you won't catch an arm, or stubbing a toe on it when walking on the gunnel, three if you do need to move it cause you placed it too far fwd or aft then you have 4 little holes in the rubrail that you can barely see and not the fiberglass. The attach points for the support straps are also in the rub rail. Don't know about you but I absolutely HATE stubbing my toe on bimini brackets.  ------------- "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: skutsch
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 1:56pm
It took me forever to find one, but there is a drilless mount. The bimini is supported by two steel poles that attach to the pylon. It was sold by Barefoot international and unfortunately is no longer available. They stopped selling because customer complained that it did not store well and it doesn't. But if you are going to "set it and forget it" It works awesome. They are pricey too. ------------- Our http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4669" rel="nofollow - 98 Sport Nautique My Dad's 63 Ski N |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 2:47pm
Why do you feel yours is too wide? Funny the different view on bimini's and how to mount. I'd rather fasten to the deck because it's easier to patch than the windshield frame and easier to deal with when the holes wobble out overtime. I'd be more apt to injure myself with the mounts in the rub rail as I often will slide my hands down it rather deck. Seems the common length is from the windshield frame to maybe a foot past the pylon? That's what it looks like to me. |
SNobsessed wrote:Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 4:01pm
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JPASS- that's probably the best looking windshield mounted rig I've seen, looks perfect. ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: lewy2001
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 8:52pm
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I prefer the front section to dip down and flow with windscreen line. With a closed bow this is not a problem but forget it for open bow. The low front also gives you better protection from the elements (sun & rain). Have attached pic of my old 89 bimini. I used the flyhigh pole as the rear mount it passed through the bimini and the rear bow had a rubber pad that it rested against. Then used the front straps to tension the bimini. The bimini frame was stainless this gave it enough strength to allow for the board racks on top. The bimini folded up to the top of the screen and the cover fitted over the collapsed bimini. This made it simple to store and deploy. We use a bimini almost every time we hit the water except maybe the first few runs of season and the last few. The summers downunder in Tamworth can be sweltering. Would not survive without one. **  I expect to be flamed about bow lifting ring. Had the strap attached there for years with no sign of gel cracking :) ------------- If you're going through hell, keep going http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2999" rel="nofollow - 89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: March-18-2015 at 9:14pm
Thanks. PO set it up this way, so I can't take any credit, but we do like the way it looks. Mount on the windshield frame is solid and it's been that way for a very long time. I do believe the top is a Sunbrella. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: fastski121
Date Posted: March-21-2015 at 1:51pm
| TRBenj - what manufacturer and color is your bimini? I have the same color 90....and looking for the same bimini as you....dont want something higher than yours...Thanks!! |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: March-23-2015 at 12:38pm
 Why stop at one?  ------------- |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: March-23-2015 at 1:00pm
| I like that '75. Shaq would fit under that. If I knew Zach I'd throw in a Zach joke. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: March-23-2015 at 1:14pm
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Zach fits under the cover. ------------- |
Posted By: skutsch
Date Posted: March-23-2015 at 1:36pm
Ohh now that's just not fair, FUNNY, but not fair!   ------------- Our http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4669" rel="nofollow - 98 Sport Nautique My Dad's 63 Ski N |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-23-2015 at 1:44pm
I'm not sure on either account, but it is sunbrella so you should be able to get a sample to verify. I'd go GMI on the bimini (like M3fan), the height can (and will need to be) cut down in order to look right. |
Posted By: Toertel
Date Posted: March-25-2015 at 1:38pm
Mine is a sunbrella and its a must if you have kids... I kinda like it too during the warm summer days here in the south ------------- 1994 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: April-28-2015 at 7:20pm
  Here's the goofy bimini I'm working with. Looks to be mounted, balanced and located ok, no? But the length of the top looks a bit short to me, 56" from front bow to rear bow. What length do you guys have? I ask bc a black top would look better so I plan on ordering a new, longer bimini unless 56" is the common length, then I'll just recover this one. |
Posted By: Smithfamily
Date Posted: April-29-2015 at 7:49am
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I won my Bimini at White Lake last year, from the great folks at WLM. Its a CARVER. I think it looks great, but having one in the Florida sun when you are out ALL day long is BEAUTIFUL! ------------- Js |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: April-29-2015 at 10:20am
All Biminis are 'a bit goofy" by nature., and so will be a new one. It's a case of function over form. I would just run that one for a while, I'll bet it will grow on you. I think it looks ok, and if it were me I wouldn't spend the money on a new one unless after a while You still just hate it. ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: April-29-2015 at 10:48am
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Sensible mounting points. Looks nice. Backwards, but nice. ------------- |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: April-29-2015 at 10:52am
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Todd that looks like a pretty normal set up as far as length goes. The front seat and the front of the engine will be out of the sun so that's what is truly important. Unless you wanna go the double bimini route like the 75' Southwind. I moved mine back a little and had Gayle Hunter sew a hole in the top for the Skylon to go thru instead of the cable running thru the seam. Anyone sitting on the engine cover will be protected somewhat. Bimini's aren't much on looks to begin with but serves an impotant purpose. I don't care how silly it looks, if it's 95'F out on a cloudless day. The top is up! ------------- "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: 74Wind
Date Posted: April-29-2015 at 11:05am
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Yup, what Tim said. And if we bake in the georgia summer heat, mid summer boating in Orlando must feel like the surface of the sun. Love this time of year, been out a few times without. The ideal position for a bimini is on shore... ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: rwinter
Date Posted: August-18-2015 at 11:01pm
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I love your bimini top featured on the red nautique on CorrectCraftFan....can you tell me the brand and where you got it? Also the length and the height of what you ordered would be helpful. It looks perfect.. Many thanks |
Posted By: rwinter
Date Posted: August-18-2015 at 11:04pm
| Can you tell me the manufacturer and size of the dark bimini top shown on CorrectCraftFan? Thanks |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: August-19-2015 at 11:26am
| no clue what you're talking about. show us |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: August-19-2015 at 12:02pm
Mine is almost identical to M3fan's except my brackets are mounted to the windshield frame and the front eyestraps utilizes one of the vent screws. I agree with TJ Bent that normal way looks better and trimming the height too! They come on and off so easily that you can just lay them on the floor while trailering. Mine fits under my lift canopy and is on 95% of the time. I wish the old Taylor Made hinged windshield were still around to get some ventilation on real sticky hoy days. GMI out of Canada has a nice top at a reasonable price.  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: rwinter
Date Posted: August-19-2015 at 2:42pm
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Hardrock---thanks for the great suggestions and great picture. I do like the idea of using the window frame and the ventilation port rather than drilling into fiberglass. GMI now appears to be ANP in Canada and their prices do seem attractive. Any suggestions on height and length that you found worked so well for you? Thanks again for your response |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: August-19-2015 at 2:43pm
| You can cut down the main hoop to your desired height. |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: August-27-2015 at 10:56pm
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I did cut mine but honestly don't remember if I moved any of the mounts or just cut some off the main until I had only an inch or two left. You can always cut more. its hard to uncut. The twists on the front straps eliminate fluttering at speed. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: February-21-2016 at 3:59pm
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Ugh, can anybody make sense of GMI's website or are they no longer? Link? ------------- Please support The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1993 Ski Nautique purple and black 351 HO PCM |
Posted By: 79CC
Date Posted: February-24-2016 at 11:28am
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Hello all. I'm new to CCF. Have been lurking here for a while. I have acquired a '79 Ski Tique. Cant wait for spring and the water to warm up. In the mean time I'm freshening up a few things to get it ready for the water here in a couple of months. Is there a common/average height above the seat for a Bimini top to be? Cheers, ------------- '79 Ski Tique |
Posted By: SWANY
Date Posted: May-12-2016 at 1:31am
I have found this thread useful while planning my set up of installing a bimini so that's why I'm looking to get some opinions here, I'm planning on rear anchor points will be inside the gunnels, but I've struggled where to mount my front anchors for the straps. so this is what I came up with.  I found some aluminum spacers to keep the straps out of the vent slits and use longer #8 SS screws. what I'm concerned about is the lack of fiberglass around the holes. Am I asking for trouble down the road with the screws stripping out or cracking the gel from the stress of the bimini pulling on it? should I use thickend epoxy in the holes before the screws go in? Bolts with a fender washer crossed my mind also but I'm sure that would be a PITA because of the location behind the dash.  I'm thinking paint the straps and spacers black to blend in better and use black screws 
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Posted By: storm34
Date Posted: May-12-2016 at 1:06pm
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Awesome idea! I had to fix the vents on our previous 88 due to stripped out screws so I'd agree with needing additional support. ------------- |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-12-2016 at 5:33pm
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eh, I think you'll be fine with the existing screw hole. Upsize if/when it gets stripped out. You're actually doing the right thing using the fastener in shear anyway. you can get black oxide coated stainless screws from mcmaster pad eyes are also available in black |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 3:10am
an endless argument in our group. I have had one since the '93 boat....Patti said she couldn't stand the sun all day and I decided I couldn't stand not having her in the boat. I have grown to like the looks. Don't often stay out long enough here in Florida to bother with it...unless it is gonna rain. But ti goes up when the boat goes in the water in Tennessee and stays up the whole time. john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 11:20am
| Bigger issue is scooping air instead of deflecting it up and overt. A properly downward tilted bimini (towards the nose) will scoop air when accidentally put up backwards. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 12:00pm
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You'd think by now someone would have come up with a better solution than how they mounted tops on 1880 buggies. Something like the hideaway cleats that retract rather than the cheap brackets screwed to a deck. Wish the Barefoot International pro x top was still made,I want one bad. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: phatsat67
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 12:05pm
| Gary, is that the foil style one that clamped to the ski pylon? I would do one of those since I'm the resident white guy. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 12:06pm
| One came up for sale last year. Last one before that was like 2-3 years prior. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 12:27pm
Yes Zach that's it. Get on it Kevin we need 2 now  Can't speak for Zack but I will take any color.------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 12:35pm
| Gary just needs to stay in the driver seat with his legs under the helm and he'll be fine. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 12:54pm
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What about my head? A rug? A Jbear model maybe? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 1:05pm
 |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 2:47pm
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I am not changing my name to Peter ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: May-13-2016 at 3:07pm
| Fine, Richard it is. |