Admiral wants some shade

[PatinIdaho]

So the boss around here wants some shade out on the ole tri-hull so im looking at Bimini tops. I like to stay cheap as i can get away with.
Not wanting to spend $300ish for a top for a boat i'll only have a year maybe two.

On that auction site there are Bimini tops for $150ish, 8ft long, 4 1in double wall thickness bows, 2 rear support poles + the other assorted hardware. They seem to have decent reviews but has anyone here actually bought one and if so what is your experience with them?
Thanks

 

[Thalasso]

Go cheap and that's what you will get along with a dissatisfied boss. Submit a couple of choices to her and see what she might like. This way when she has a negative concern about it you wont be taking all the heat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Don't get a cheap Bimini. It costs more to buy a cheap one twice than a good one once

 

[PatinIdaho]

Yeah got what your saying thanks.
So anyone have any actual experience with one?

 

[airshot]

I watched the closeout sales from stores like BassPro and Cabelas and picked up mine from Cabelas for 200. 8' sharkskin with all the hardware, 4 pole top, have had it for three years without any issues. But then again I picked up mine in the fall when boating items were all on sale. It currently sells for just under 400 in the new catalog. Bought a cheapie canvass one for a small boat years back for 100 that worked fine but was always stored inside and never saw any weather except sunshine. Being out in the weather bad and good is what is really hard on them. If only used in good weather and used occasionally then a cheapie will work.

 

[MRS]

Make sure and get the metal fittings cause with plastic first time water gets a little ruff and someone grabs a side post snap. It is a pain running back in with half the top hooked up.

 

[PatinIdaho]

Yeah. Plastic fittings are to for sure down side. It will only be used in good sunny weather with usual little to no wind. I figure as teh plastic fittings break i can replace with metal one anyway

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yeah. Plastic fittings are to for sure down side. It will only be used in good sunny weather with usual little to no wind. I figure as teh plastic fittings break i can replace with metal one anyway

you may want to price the metal bimini top hardware before you think about replacing it. a typical bimini has about $100 in stainless hardware if you look for bargains. more than $200 if you hit up west marine. again, it costs more to buy cheap.

 

[PatinIdaho]

Yeah i know but a piece at a time is not bad and there is a shop down the street with used stuff. Nothing to fit my boat though

 

[bonz_d]

Could try something like this.
http://www.iboats.com/TAYLOR-MADE-A...777821--session_id.822746378--view_id.1144352