196 Bimini

[doonez]

Finally installing a Bimini on our 196 and after looking at a few photos on the Internet people put them on different ways round. Which way is best and are there any tips and tricks for installing them (drilling all the holes etc)? Also at one end there are slits in the fabric to allow you to put a strap around the frame and it will hold but at the other end there is no such thing. Just looking at it I doubt if there would be enough friction to hold it in position - what are we meant to do here? Sorry for the pictures appearing upside down - I'm not sure what's going on there (no they weren't taken upside down)

[A_B]

I have seen the front straps in the metal breather plates to avoid drilling in the gel coat. The straps really didn't blur my vision driving, so I wish ours came like that. They also had the back straps mounted in the step pad, but the rope was hitting them at 38. I would not do that if you have guys skiing short rope.

[Wish]

Pic #1 backwards. Pic #2 forwards. IMHO

[doonez]

@AB where are these breather plates? Do you mean the slits at the base of the windscreen?

[A_B]

Yes. Air intakes on both sides at base of winshield. This makes the straps go in front of windshield, but not a big deal. Two less places to get stress cracks.

[doonez]

@Wish yes looking at it I think I'd run with the red boat way (I also think it looks better and possibly more functional). Although where these boats seem to have a metal pole at the front/back we have simply got a strap which looks like it will slip down (see RHS of my middle pic (when it's the right way up)).

[thager]

I attached the rear metal strap mounts in the floor even with the pylon. Bimini mount is on the windshield frame. The front metal strap mounts are drilled into the fiberglass. If you drill into the glass drill in reverse until you are through the gel coat to help prevent chipping. Be sure what is directly below your drill point first!

[doonez]

@AB how do they attach there? Do you clip them straight to the grill?

[doonez]

@thager what do you mean "I attached the rear metal strap mounts in the floor"? Interesting that you put the Bimini mounts on the windscreen frame. I'm not sure if we'd be able to do that because ours is rounded but we have flat based mounts. I suppose it could be done if you sanded it to the right shape but I don't know if I'd be confident drilling into the windscreen frame!

[thager]

Hmmm. Didn't attach photo? Trying again. As far as the straps go you can rivet them in place wirh dress pop rivets.

[doonez]

Oh I see. Do they get in the way there? What are the benefits of doing it like that?

[thager]

@OB. You actually need a bimini in hotLanta. Week or two tops in S. Canada.

[thager]

@ Doonez. Don't seem to. Mine is also shorter in height than most to keep out more sun out on the two days of summer.

[Wish]

Hopefully you all think of biminis as more then just a way to get out of the heat. They are IMHO the best way to keep yourself out of the suns harmful rays. Not to be a downer here or your mother but put the bimini up even if the temps are not hot. New statistics just out. Skin cancer is now nearly as prevalent as all other cancers combine and appears to be getting worse.

[ForrestGump]

Spend the bucks on the poles. SO much better.

[doonez]

@Wish totally agree no fun being burnt

[A_B]

@doonez, the installation is on a friends boat up in Michigan, and I have not seen it since last summer. So I am not sure how they mounted it. I do remember it was drilled into the top plate. Could probably use small bolts with lock washers and nuts to hold the loop that you clip to.

 

This is the first boat I have owned with a bim and will never boat without it. I have had enough skin problems.

[BlueSki]

These pole mounts are pricey, but I am a fan of them. They avoid the cheap screws into the plastic base that come with so many biminis.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Quick-Release-Bimini-Top-Hinge&i=33714&r=view&aID=601B5&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlebase&s_kwcid=googlepla&cvsfa=2587&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3333373134&cID=SHOPPING_33714

 

[east tx skier]

Ours came like this. Works well and no issues in the rare instances this boat has pulled 38 off.

 

 

[The_MS]

08 196. This is a GMI bimini I think. Check out the grin on @OTFs face.

[RichardDoane]

the guy that builds my promo's bimini has got it figured out

 

[The_MS]

@Richard Keeps the snow out.

[Wish]

@Richard NICE! window mounts always look good to me. Carbon Pros are a good example. I had a similar zip-in/snap on as part of a custom bimini for my old Supra. @east tx skier. Mine is mounted the exact same way on my SN and has seen 39-41 skiers without issue. @MS is he smiling or giggling about your bimini being on backwards? ;-)

[The_MS]

@Wish That is not backwards. That is the way they are supposed to be.

[Wish]

@MS there ya go passing the buck.... Well then, .."they" ...got it backwards. ;-)

[RichardDoane]

@wish - if they are backwards like that, they collapse forward and stack nicely in front of the windshield, but you're correct - that is backwards

 

[doonez]

@richarddoane does the cover fit over when its collapsed if you have them backwards? Will it not if we install it conventionally?

[Wish]

@doonez, Both my boats had what we are saying is forward/conventional and both fit/collapse infront of the windshield with covers. It's because my first boat and second boat were done this way (forward) that everything else looks backwards. My boats both had the bimini slightly tipped/slanted down in the front so they do not catch wind and balloon up. I adjust that slant until the pressure is equalized (close as I can get it) when at speed as to not have down or up force from forward speeds. That meant a little tipped down in the front in both case. I think a bimini that is being forced down or up at speed (same for loose floppy ones) can actually affect performance like a sail. And tipped down a bit just looks better IMHO.

 

 

 

[Wish]

Pic 1 to little slant

pic 2 to much

pic 3 about right, tight and forward/conventional

 

[The_MS]

Pic 3 needs to be lower. If you took the back down a bit on pic 2 you would have it perfect.

[Wish]

Perfect is relative to the design of the bimini IMHO. If you are going for no down or up force but neutral as possible, pic 3 may be OK. Having that same one very taught also make a difference and generally a positive one. For me, the tighter the better. Should be able to bounce a quater off of it. But agree a hair lower would look nice and would have better clearance to walk under to the seat.

[The_MS]

Bouncing the quarter is the key.