Bimini Tops on fast boats?

[Fullthrottleguy]

I'm considering adding a Bimini top onto my TUFF 21 (gasp!). It will make the wife and young son happy when we are out for a day on the lake. Do you guys have them on your fast boats? I've never had a boat with one. I'd want something simple, as low as possible and that abled to be dropped in a flash should I feel the need to put the hammer down.

please share your photos, thoughts and guidance.

[HavasuDreamin']

Look at what some of the guys on the west coast are doing. Perforated material with 100% stainless poles, including front and rear support poles (no straps). That is the way I would go! They run pretty hard with the tops up! Good luck.

[Krazymaan]

just curious to what your thinking. are you talking a canvas fold away tucked behind a flap style or a removable hardtop style or something else. my big wellcraft has the fold it away and never see it again style. Now that you bring up the subject, I wonder how fast you can safely go with a huge oversized cookie sheet hovering over your head.

[Da Bull]

A Bimini top can make the difference between a great day on the water and a miserable day on the water.

[mjw930]

A well made Bimini should be able to function up to about 40 - 50 mph. Beyond that you can bend the frame or cause the mounting fittings to break. For performance boats I would spec a stainless frame and fittings, aluminum just won't cut it. Also, get one custom made, don't try to force fit a generic top.

I don't know what kind of storage you have available under the hatch but if its wide enough try and get the cover made so you can remove it from it's mounts easily and stow it under the hatch. Just having it fold flat along the back of the boat will get old over time as you have to step over it or it bounces around when you are pushing the boat hard.

[vnemous]

While not like your Tuff, my Key Largo has a 4 bow, stainless Bimini that I had custom made. The stainless poles in the back are where all the strength comes from but very bulky and heavy. Boat runs in the high 60's but at that speed the bimini does act a little like a wing but not in a good way:D

I have a Sunbrella Anchor Shade in my superboat but wouldnt do much than idle around with it.

396855

Anchor Shade not my boat

396858

[vnemous]

A little aspect of what it might look like, me personally, would get a hat and some SPF50:D

396859

[HavasuDreamin']

A well made Bimini should be able to function up to about 40 - 50 mph. Beyond that you can bend the frame or cause the mounting fittings to break. For performance boats I would spec a stainless frame and fittings, aluminum just won't cut it. Also, get one custom made, don't try to force fit a generic top.

I don't know what kind of storage you have available under the hatch but if its wide enough try and get the cover made so you can remove it from it's mounts easily and stow it under the hatch. Just having it fold flat along the back of the boat will get old over time as you have to step over it or it bounces around when you are pushing the boat hard.

There are guys on the west coast running well north of 75MPH with the "all" stainless set up (no straps) and perforated material. Custom made is the only way to go.

[Thunderduck]

Unless you plan to cruise around all day, the Anchor Shade is the way to go. They're cheap, easy to store, easy to deploy and come in several covers.

[mjw930]

There are guys on the west coast running well north of 75MPH with the "all" stainless set up (no straps) and perforated material. Custom made is the only way to go.

I have no experience with "perforated" material since it rains here ;) But it makes sense though it's pushing the limit IMHO.

[CircleHook]

for off shore boat with lots of rod holders- we use a big azz beach umbrella- if folds up super easy and stores- we stick it in rod holder where ever we need it-
I have had strap hooks on bimimi let go at 40 mph- it is exciting !!!

[WavetoWave]

Sounds like the West Coast guys have a solution with the Steel but I would go with the anchor shade. I have a CC I run with a bimini but it catches a lot of wind. If you designed it so the front was quite low and the back was much higher, at least you would have down force and not be running a parachute. Either way it will be stress on something.

A little off but I wear a hat, and a thin hoodie most of the time now in the boat, easier than sunblock and it's comfortable in any weather.

[71V153]

Here are a few I've made. With the exception of Charlie's, they all drop inside the gunnal behind the seat.

[71V153]

Dago's "micro top" was one of the toughest frames I've ever bent. But that's what he ordered. Broke the mid frame first attempt and fell on my ass in the shop.

[71V153]

One I made way back for the Glastron. It stacked right on the fwd edge of the splashwell. So it was pretty much outa the way layed down.

[71V153]

Here's the top from the wrecked Glastron tweaked a lil bit to fit the Baja. Hinged clam shell mounts on the railing, so no deck mounts necessary. Just a pair of deck eyes fwd. Routinely ran over 60 with the top up.

[Fullthrottleguy]

Some great thoughts and photos guys! Keep em coming!

[71V153]

Here's one I did for the lunatic Weiler. I was scared to death the top would come apart any second, but it didn't. Told him 'forehand if it did it wasn't a warranty issue ...

Regardless this one was mounted on tracks inside the gunnal. Slid aft and hung on straps fwd of the splashwell.

[71V153]

Fwiw if a top is sewn with good material, the right thread, reinforced in the right places, and mounted securely. Then there's no reason not to safely run 65 or so.

Key is to leave a lil room for trim adjustment. Too much down force? Lean the top a lil aft. Too much lift? Lean fwd a bit.

[kct11]

They are nice to have when needed.
Once you have one, you will use it more then you think you would. Mine goes up and down in minutes and most of it stores under the hatch. 396959

[agatoantska]

To install a Bimini top boat (https://www.kemimoto.com/products/boat-bimini-top) you need three mounting points minimum per side, so a total of 6. The middle location is where the bow/pole structure would connect.

[wideglide55]

520290

Good to about 60, it's mesh down the middle to release some air out of it

[JR IN JAX]

I tried several good shops for a Bimini for my Allison Grandsport but none of the shops would build me one, saying it was too dangerous on a 100 MPH boat. I ordered the individual components from Eevile /Caravelle and added a sliding track down each side. It was like Spacex, reengineering after failure. I used 1" aluminum tube with 3/4 OD stainless tube inside for reinforcement. The second model was good until I turned a tight corner on the Suwannee at 70 MPH into a 20 knot head wind. The tube broke where the internal stainless tube stopped at the curves. Another revision was better but I forgot it was up on the Interstate after a long day and it broke at 85+ [strictly self-inflicted]. The last /still existing revision uses an internal PEX liner that follows the curve of the external 1" tubing and I also modified the swivel braces that slide in the tracks down each side. Allison provided me with a front pop-out hidden cleat on each side that allows me to hook two straps on each side of the windshield. I am still sure that it will break at 85 +/- . It folds up to lay flat behind the top headrests on the back seats on top of the storage hatches. It is nice while sitting at the Springs during a thunderstorm but doesn't do much when going fast in the rain.