Baller bojans Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 The bimini on our boat has seen better days and needs to be replaced. Has anyone found one of the new style bimini's (that are highly tensioned so the fabric do not flap in the wind) that fits a 2009 196? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 Here js the Bimini on my 02. I believe it is original to the boat but was never used until 2016 by the original owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller KRoundy Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 I had a bimini made by Tower Biminis and it was very good. Tight, no flapping, great product and service: https://towerbiminis.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BCM Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 I installed this one on my '98 a few years ago, I went with metal supports instead of straps in the back and straps in front. I am not a fan of straps but they make it easier to fold up for storage. I also used all stainless hardware and replaced a few of the rivets with screws to reduce vibration (I can be really picky). I have been happy with it, customer service was good, the green matched my boat nicely. It does pillow a little at speed but I haven't noticed any flapping. I do make a point to have at least a 1/2 twist in the straps, those can flap and drive me nutty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 Call tower Bimini tops they are in Morgan hill cal. Great quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller animal Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 Plus one for Tower Bimini. Using poles instead of straps makes a huge difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonicus Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 I've got 2005 196 and I bought mine directly from Correct Craft a couple of years ago and it fits tight as a drum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nautiquemike Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 Plus another one for Tower Biminis. I have one on my 2007 196 and it is of excellent quality - went with the straps because I don't like the looks of the pole mounts. When properly tensioned, there is zero flapping. I would also recommend the stainless bows as opposed to the standard aluminum. They are more rigid and resistant to wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RGilmore Posted August 18, 2020 Members Share Posted August 18, 2020 When checking out the Tower Bimini website, the Nautique section appears to be almost exclusively for boats with wake-boarding towers. I'm looking for a standard Bimini top, and I don't see anything on Tower's site I would want on my 196. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller KRoundy Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 @RGilmore - You are not looking hard enough. ? Go to the “Deck Mounted” section of the gallery. It is full of 196 photos. Call them and tell them what you want. You won’t regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Timr71 Posted August 18, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 18, 2020 Another vote for Tower biminis here too. deck mounted on my ski centurion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RGilmore Posted August 20, 2020 Members Share Posted August 20, 2020 @KRoundy - I saw those three photos, but when I wanted to find out about ordering one this is all there seemed to be: https://towerbiminis.com/product-category/biminis/nautique/ If you can find a link to the ordering information for a deck mounted 196 bimini, that I could use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller KRoundy Posted August 20, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 20, 2020 Have you called them? I forget the name of the person who helped me a couple of years ago, but he was super-helpful, knowledgeable, and we chatted a few times before I ordered. (408) 779-9997 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Timr71 Posted August 20, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 20, 2020 I believe the guy there is named Danny. Like @KRoundy Danny and I talked on the phone a couple of times, plus there was an order form that I filled out complete with measurements and pictures. I can say that my bimini was a perfect fit when it was delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RGilmore Posted August 20, 2020 Members Share Posted August 20, 2020 Actually, I just found these guys, and I am very impressed by their website. https://www.nationalbiminitops.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi-T00K2q6wIVBBx9Ch0EEwA8EAAYASAAEgLtvfD_BwE Not only do they build specifically for make and model, but even differentiate by year. For my boat (2008 SN LE) they offer three different heights, and four different fabric choices, each with MANY colors. Plus, their pricing is all spelled out to the penny, and a live chat opens up when your first enter their website, in case you have any questions. Sorry to all you guys who love your Tower Biminis, but THIS company really knows how to help a customer like me find what he's looking for. Good chance they'll be getting MY business Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BCM Posted August 20, 2020 Baller Share Posted August 20, 2020 @RGilmore - It looks like they have a good setup. I did notice that they use swivel mounts, when I installed my top I used a swivel mount (similar to this one), I wish I would have used something more like this. The swivel allows a lot of side to side wiggle in the top, unfortunately the screw holes on the swivel mount are about 1/2" farther apart than the non-swivel and converting to non-swivel leaves a visible hole in the gel coat. If I were to do it again, the only thing I would change is the swivel mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gcam4 Posted July 15, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 15, 2021 To everyone with a 196, I just got a bimini from NP.com and am debating on deck or windshield mounting. What is everyone's opinion? I am leaning towards windshield frame mounting at the very bottom right before the deck. For those of you who have done this are you using wood/sheet metal screws or normal machine screws with nuts on the inside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ETskier Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 Sheet metal. Be careful to not get into the glass. You'll like this position where you can fold it down just in front of the windshield. Use a small Velcro strap to tie it down to the front strap eyes and you can tow down the road with no worries. . You can also ski with it folded down if you wish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gcam4 Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 Thanks @ETskier that is what I was thinking. I just need to grab some shorter screws for the windshield frame mounting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skierjp Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 TOWER BIMINI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skierjp Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 Make sure you get arms instead of straps. Tower will make anything you want. These are Florida boats so the tops are lower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gcam4 Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 @skierjp the bimini I got is low like the tower one. Maybe I will be kicking myself for not getting one from tower but for the moment I'm happy with the one I got. Hoping to get it mounted over the weekend. Going to mount the strap tie downs to the air intake plates up front and the rear to the top of the gunnel stepdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RAWSki Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 This one worked out well for our 2020 200. Mounts to the frame of the windshield with no down straps or posts. Actually was a factory unit for a Carbon Pro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RGilmore Posted July 16, 2021 Members Share Posted July 16, 2021 @gcam4 Unless it's a glitch in my laptop, "NP.com" leads to a domain for sale - by "Paul@Np.com" - for a mere $2.5M. Apparently, Paul is hoping to retire on the sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gcam4 Posted July 16, 2021 Baller Share Posted July 16, 2021 @RGilmore I didn't want to spell out the whole address but you should be able to figure it out. I do have a nautique. Anyway, maybe I need to go into the business of domain mergers and acquisitions. I might be able to retire sooner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RGilmore Posted July 18, 2021 Members Share Posted July 18, 2021 NP.com = no clue (for me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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