Bimini top install using the built in Lund sport Trak?

[Expidia]

Re: Bimini top install using the built in Lund sport Trak?

I ordered mine from Overtons.com (had a 20% off coupon at the time) it was about $289 list with the Sunbrella fabric which is the only fabric I would personally get.

My boat has a 76 inch beam. They show them at 40 to 46 inch in height for my model (6 feet long). I think they can be cut down, that's why they show 40 to 46 inch range for the same model. I left mine at 46 inches.

Another thought: you might also be able to mount a slide track vertical on the inside of the Sport Trak rail instead of on the top rail as I did. . My slot is angled, but Navy jr.'s pic is verticle. Maybe yours is too. Lund might make hardware to mount the bimini frame like Navy Jr's to your sport track without using the sport trak plastic brackets. That would be the ideal setup. If you are able to do that it might make a difference in how wide you want the frame to be before you order it.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Bimini top install using the built in Lund sport Trak?

Navy Jr.
Could you take a pic of how your ends are attached to your Lund? I'd be interested in seeing that. I might reconfigure mine at some point. I'm wondering if they went through the hull with bolts or used existing inside structure to attach?

Unfortunately, "Sweetheart" is still in storage. Won't be getting her out until May 1st, so can't take fresh pictures of her.

The closest pic I have was taken on March 28th last year, the day we closed on the boat at the dealer. (We didn't take delivery until May 1st, but had to pay for it by the end of March to get various promotions on extended warranties and free stuff).

The pic just shows the sun top posts when not in use and stowed on the deck. If you look closely, however, you'll see a small silver fitting on the inside of the port gunwale just ahead of the gray handle on top of the gunwale. I think it is actually fastened right through the sport track itself. (The Sport Track on this Lund model is straight up and down; not angled at the top like the Classic). Anyway, this female fitting receives a bolt that goes through the post of the sun top when it is lifted off of the floor into place.

The sun top on this boat is actually held in place by four posts, so four fittings, two on each side. The fitting in the picture is for the rearmost post. The forward fittings are about even with the front seats. The front of the canvas top has snap receivers that fit fasteners on a track on the front and top of the full-length windshield.

Oh, so you aren't confused by it, the pole laying on its side near the back of the deck is simply used to hold up the center of the custom snap-on travel cover to help shed rain. It isn't part of the sun top system.

It isn't much, but I hope this helps.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Bimini top install using the built in Lund sport Trak?

Thx Navy, I can see clearly how it's designed to connect directly into your vertical sport trak. That's a nice design because I can see it's a solid connection and it can be slid back and forth too, I would think.

Maybe if I bought my Bimini OEM and directly from the Lund dealer it might have come with a similar mounting method, but to fit my slot which is as you say, angled.

But at the time everything was a stretch for me and they wanted $600 + for what I bought for $231. I figured the savings could go into the trailerable cover which was another $500. Funny thing, after I got the cover from a Lund dealer even though they assured me it was Sunbrella yet that was not what the material tag said.

In any case, that cover did not fit, so I had to pay another $450 to have one custom made and the canvas shop said I can have either for the same price but he recommended to use Top Gun instead of Sunbrella for a trailable cover because Top Gun stretches less.

Your boat looks great! I love how wide the tops of your gunnels are for an aluminum boat. Congrats and thanks for clearing up Lund's mounting system for me