Bimini top question

[Rinker85]

Hello,

I have a 17 foot Runabout with a open bow. I have a Bimini top. I am looking for clear plastic that will snap to the windshield and attach to the bimini top to protect myself from the wind on cold days. Do they make a generic item like this? What is it called.

 

[DouglasW]

I've never seen anything like that. Every thing would be different according to the boat and top design. How about tilting the Bimini top forward when needed by adjusting the straps?

 

[tacx]

Not a bad idea, but bimini's don't take wind very well to begin with. If you attach plastic from your windshield to the bimini, you could create a giant kite. The only purpose of doing so is to get out of the wind, but thats when the bimini could fly away.

 

[roffey]

I have seen that before. I think its called a camper top? the side windows are called curtains. If it did not come with the boat it will have to be custom made but I don't think it will be more than what the bimini top was as you will already have half the snaps and the poles. if you go for it take before and after pictures.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...D0C3B751C194B1036273B5EC2D1CA2265&FORM=IQFRBA

 

[Bayou Dave]

My previous boat, a 1987 Rinker V190, had a convertible top. If you can find one or have one made it will protect you from the wind and rain. It had the side curtains. Just fold down your bimini and put on the convertible top.

 

[bruceb58]

Not a bad idea, but bimini's don't take wind very well to begin with. If you attach plastic from your windshield to the bimini, you could create a giant kite. The only purpose of doing so is to get out of the wind, but thats when the bimini could fly away.

I had my bimini custom made to have windows zip into the bimini and snap into the windshield. Works awesome and does not get affected by wind at all.

 

[spoon059]

Its called an isinglass window.

 

[JimS123]

The piece you are looking for is called a bow curtain. The ones on the sides are called side curtains. If you opt for the full enclosure, the 4th part of the set is called an aft curtain.

The material (clear "plastic") the forward three are made from is called isinglass. Aft curtains are usually made from canvas or sunbrella and some have a window as well. But you can also have an isinglass aft curtain made if that's what you want.

If you have a convertible top, a bow curtain is not needed because the "top" fastens directly to the windshield.

A camper enclosure is a second bimini or convertible top that attached to the back of the existing one. in other words it amounts to having a top that is double the length. Since its a "camper", it will surely come with bow, side and aft curtains.

I just had an isinglass bow curtain custom made and it cost $625.

 

[Rinker85]

The piece you are looking for is called a bow curtain. The ones on the sides are called side curtains. If you opt for the full enclosure, the 4th part of the set is called an aft curtain.

The material (clear "plastic") the forward three are made from is called isinglass. Aft curtains are usually made from canvas or sunbrella and some have a window as well. But you can also have an isinglass aft curtain made if that's what you want.

If you have a convertible top, a bow curtain is not needed because the "top" fastens directly to the windshield.

A camper enclosure is a second bimini or convertible top that attached to the back of the existing one. in other words it amounts to having a top that is double the length. Since its a "camper", it will surely come with bow, side and aft curtains.

I just had an isinglass bow curtain custom made and it cost $625.

I have a convertible top that attaches to the windshield. I also have a bow cover and years ago I had side curtains and an aft curtain made. I was able to stay pretty warm in there. The problem I have now is a couple of years ago I removed the back to back seat on the starboard side and put in a pedestal base with a swivel seat so I could get my head above the windshield. Now there is no room for me to sit under the convertible top. I guess the best option would be to get a smaller pedestal

 

[dingbat]

]The material (clear "plastic") the forward three are made from is called isinglass. .

Assume you mean Eisenglass.

Isinglass is a substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish. It is a form of collagen used mainly for the clarification or fining of some beer and wine. It can also be cooked into a paste for specialised gluing purposes.

Eisenglass is actually a brand name of a long defunct manufacturer. Most “clear flexiable vinyl” today is PVC.

Strataglass is a company who makes a specially coated clear vinyl that is very clear, scratch and UV resistant. It s priced at a premium, and finished canvas is usually about 40-75% more

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Clear high UV plastic vinyl. It can be sewn with an average house machine if you only sew two layers to each other it will be a lot easier. Watch a couple of how to videos on making boat covers same principal used here. Buy a couple of cheap bed sheets from walmart or good will and make a mock up of what you want it to do so you can make your ideas come to life before cutting up the clear plastic which is a little harder to work with and not cheap. You can buy a vice grip Snap set tool for snaps for snaps. Use the thickest material your machine can sew and no thicker. Or drag your boat down to an upholstery shop and have them build you what you want. These are common up here in the NW id assume most shops have done done what want.

 

[JimS123]

Assume you mean Eisenglass.

canvas is usually about 40-75% more

Yup, that's where spell check won't help you. I guess I never knew how to spell it in the first place, so I copied the guy before me.

 

[roffey]

funny I googled it but did not mention it as I thought I was wrong, lol. Better to keep my mouth shut then open it a prove my stupidity.