Looking for pictures or advice on Bimini top for 1976 Cobalt Bowrunner

I have a old but in great condition 1976 Cobalt Bowrunner. It's been in my family since new and I love the old girl. One thing that could be updated is the running cover. It has a cover that came on it that snaps onto the windshield and has a couple poles, but it's getting beat up and it's time to be replaced. I recently took a ride on a buddies newer boat and it had a nice Bimini top that extended over the top of the of the boat a bit and gave a little more shade and was easeir to move around. My wife has MS and she loves going on the boat but have to keep the UV exposure down to make sure she stays healthy/happy.

Does anybody have pictures or experience with putting a newer style top on a older boat such as ours. I have went to the websites and found I just neet to measure it (mounting width) but they have differant heights and options.

Any advice/experience on brand, size, options and such, pictures would be great as well.

Re: Looking for pictures or advice on Bimini top for 1976 Cobalt Bowrunner

I recommend that you take your boat to a canvas shop and have one custom made. That way you will get exactly what you want and it will be properly fitted to your boat. I had mine made that way and the canvas is still servicable after 16 (yes 16) years.

Re: Looking for pictures or advice on Bimini top for 1976 Cobalt Bowrunner

Welcome to iboats nemo. Once you get a bimini you will wonder how you got along without one. I spent my entire youth and most of my adult boating life without one and now almost never go out without ours up. Of course in the 70s and even 80s no one ever talked about UV exposure.

Anyway, as far as advice I would just say make sure you specify poles that are long enough that you have headroom to stand up. Also, mount it so that the leading edge is farther forward than the top of the windshield frame.

The only thing I would do differently with ours (and this can still be changed) is to have rigid rear poles versus straps so the top can be folded but still in a raised position. I would also probably mount the side poles to the boat rather than windshield frame as there's a fair bit of flex going on and I don't like the idea of the side window frames taking all that stress.

Finally, I need to get my mooring cover altered so that I can still snap it on with the top up. Currently I have to choose between having the bimini on or the mooring cover - but not both and I find it a pain to take the bimini down every time I want the full mooring cover on.

Good luck. I agree, taking your boat in for a custom measurement job is probably the best way to ensure you end up with something you like.

Re: Looking for pictures or advice on Bimini top for 1976 Cobalt Bowrunner

I just installed a Westlake Bimini top from the iboats online store-- it is a great Bimini at a great cost. easy to order & install.- I did install the rear poles instead of straps - much better IMHO!

follow the order directions for width & length and measure the height Vs. the depth from floor to where the top will be mounted to where you can stand up in.
so easy a monkey could do it. it was simple.

What type & size is your boat?
mine is a 19ft runabout- I ordered 73" to 78" width--6ft length ---42 inches high.
I'm 6'1" and can walk under no problem.

Re: Looking for pictures or advice on Bimini top for 1976 Cobalt Bowrunner

I'm also shopping for a top for a older boat (not as old). I was wondering about the speed of the boat and damage to the top? I've been told that my boat should run about 40mph when I get it ready to go back in the water. 18ft bow rider with I/O