83Evinrude
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2008
- Messages
- 290
Looking for a good Bimini top for our new to us SX 195 Glastron.
On the tops Length:
As I measure it, a 3-bow 6 foot long Bimini that starts even with the top of the windshield would lack about a foot of covering to the backrest on the rear couch. An 4-bow 8 foot top could start about 6 inches forward of the top of the windshield and extend about a foot past the backrest of the couch.
Most all the bowriders in this size I see have 3-bow 6 foot Biminis. I really want both the front buckets and rear couch to have shade but will an 8 foot top look funny on this boat? Will it look weird to have the top start forward of the top of the windshield?
On the tops Height:
If mounted to the gunwales, it looks like about 42 inches would give me just enough clearance to stand up. The next size down would be 36 inches and would mean ducking especially when entering the boat from the sundeck. I don't want to destroy the low profile lines of the boat, will 42 inches be too much height?
On Mounting:
Its between windshield and gunwale mounting, I've attached a picture so you can see what I've got to work with. The gunwales are not level so I would guess any kind of track mount won't work unless I can bend it to fit the gunwale. The windshield support frame is sort of a "U" shape with rubber in the channel on the top. It looks like a plate would have to be attached over the top of the "U" for a windshield mount. Also under the gunwales there is a very thick layer of foam, so if I want to through bolt to the gunwales I would have to remove alot of it in the area where the mounts are.
Which is better, windshield or gunwale mounting? What would look best on this boat?
On Bimini Construction:
Is nylon hardware adequate or should I insist on stainless? Aluminum tube adequate or stainless? I do want rear supports, I guess these can replace rear straps? The boat will only be used in fresh water.
It appears that most here prefer Sunbrella material but I'm having a problem finding it in an 4-bow 8', 79-84" wide and 42" tall configuration.
All advice is greatly appreciated.
On the tops Length:
As I measure it, a 3-bow 6 foot long Bimini that starts even with the top of the windshield would lack about a foot of covering to the backrest on the rear couch. An 4-bow 8 foot top could start about 6 inches forward of the top of the windshield and extend about a foot past the backrest of the couch.
Most all the bowriders in this size I see have 3-bow 6 foot Biminis. I really want both the front buckets and rear couch to have shade but will an 8 foot top look funny on this boat? Will it look weird to have the top start forward of the top of the windshield?
On the tops Height:
If mounted to the gunwales, it looks like about 42 inches would give me just enough clearance to stand up. The next size down would be 36 inches and would mean ducking especially when entering the boat from the sundeck. I don't want to destroy the low profile lines of the boat, will 42 inches be too much height?
On Mounting:
Its between windshield and gunwale mounting, I've attached a picture so you can see what I've got to work with. The gunwales are not level so I would guess any kind of track mount won't work unless I can bend it to fit the gunwale. The windshield support frame is sort of a "U" shape with rubber in the channel on the top. It looks like a plate would have to be attached over the top of the "U" for a windshield mount. Also under the gunwales there is a very thick layer of foam, so if I want to through bolt to the gunwales I would have to remove alot of it in the area where the mounts are.
Which is better, windshield or gunwale mounting? What would look best on this boat?
On Bimini Construction:
Is nylon hardware adequate or should I insist on stainless? Aluminum tube adequate or stainless? I do want rear supports, I guess these can replace rear straps? The boat will only be used in fresh water.
It appears that most here prefer Sunbrella material but I'm having a problem finding it in an 4-bow 8', 79-84" wide and 42" tall configuration.
All advice is greatly appreciated.
My boat is 20'. I, too, thought it might look funny. Truthfully, it does not, and it covers the entire rear of the boat. Guests always love it too. Truth be known, I put it up about 90% of the time whether my wife is with me or not. It makes a HUGE difference in comfort in these Southern Summers. Not sure if I have a picture with it up. If I do, i'll post it tonight. If not, I'll take one this week if I get up to the boat. I am hoping to since I will be out of town this weekend.