Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

fishrdan

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Jan 25, 2008
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So what's better for all around convenience and sun protection/shade, a bimini top that you can walk under or one you need to duck under? What do you prefer?

I'm looking at bimini tops for my Crestliner 1800 and was thinking of getting a 54" tall bimini, so I could easily walk under it, but then got thinking... How often am I going to use the bimini (not all that often) and wouldn't it be better to have it lower, for more shade?

There are 36" and 42" bimini's available, and for how often we would use it, I'm thinking a short bimini would be better. A 36" bimini would put the lowest part of the bimini about 4'8" off the deck and 5'2" in the middle, which seems OK. Heck, the only time we will be using the bimini is when chilling out or riding back to the launch ramp, maybe if a storm kicks up.

(I'm 5'10, wife & kids shorter. We usually use the boat for fishing so the bimini wouldn't be used then, maybe 25% at the beach, no watersports yet.)

I don't know, is it crazy to get a short bimini for a fishing boat, one that you can't walk under?
 

2ndtry

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Mar 23, 2010
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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

but then got thinking... How often am I going to use the bimini

On a sunny day, pretty often. It would drive me crazy to have to duck going under.

My 2 cents.
 

MRS

Commander
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Jul 10, 2005
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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Walk under definitly since you fish so much if and when trolling you got shade. Plus you can still cast from bow or stearn if top is up and if bait fishing or drift fishing with bait you can still sit in shade. The only thing I hate with the bimini top is when the wind kicks up and you are trying to anchor. Plus if you need more shade with the high top they sell clips that will let you clamp on towels to the side of the bimini.... Plus I hate bumping my head on stuff....
 

JBF 1962

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Having had both over the years, I would never want to be ducking under one again...
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

here's the dilemma--the taller they are, the less shade and other protection they give. balance what is more important: protection or the ability to move around.
 

fishrdan

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Thanks for the input guys.

here's the dilemma--the taller they are, the less shade and other protection they give. balance what is more important: protection or the ability to move around.

Yup, that's my dilema!

I don't know how much I'll use it by myself as I haven't used one in the past. It's more for when I take the family out, and I can deal ducking to get under it at those times. Actually, the only time I would like to walk under it unobstructed, I doubt I'll use it. It could get in the way of landing fish...

Has anyone made a telescoping bimini, where the main bow legs are extendable? I did some checking and it looks like it might be doable. The main bow's 7/8" double wall tubing has an ID of something like .600, so a piece of 1/2" heavy wall SS tube should slide inside without problems. Put a 3' section of SS tube into the aluminum main bow legs (so it's supported well) and pin it through in 2 places, low and high. I don't know if it's feasible, but I think I'm going to get the 36" tall bimini and telescope the legs if needed.

At least that's the plan until someone talks me out of it.... :D
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

biminis do get in the way of fishing; that's the trade off. I love having mine when it's hot but it is an interference, and not something you can have fly fishing. But I like the fact that it's removeable so it's gone when I'm fishing in the winter. I also like being able to get under low bridges, something a t-top would prevent.
 

Texasmark

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

I have had tops that anchor to the walk through windshields of open bow tri-hulls complete with side curtains and all. I am on my second bass boat with the tops I added, purchased herein and service and price were both outstanding. I am 6'5" but I still prefer the lower tops for the extra shade as long as they are above my head when sitting in the boat.

I use the sliding mount on the BB's so that when stowed, I can slide it back to just in front of the engine where it is out of the way. I position it such that it is between the fore and aft pedestal seats and the top of it is lower than the seat bottom and allows for effortless fishing with it up from both seats.

As far as bending over, it's not that long and I don't go back and forth that much. With the extra shade it provides, I don't mind at all.

I did have one custom made and I chose stainless steel. Not a wise decision. It was plenty tough all right, but it was way too heavy to be practical. Polished alum tubing works just fine and I have never broken any hardware....as far back as 1971.

HTH,

Mark
 

H20Rat

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

duck under for me... I don't use mine often, and when I do, its usually later sunday afternoon after I've had all the sun I need on a weekend. A lower one provides more shade late in the afternoon, a taller one would be worthless. (clipping towels on isn't an option if you are moving...)
 

drrpm

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Oct 24, 2008
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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Here in Central Ga, my Bimini goes up every time I'm out. Its a walk under and provides a good amount of shade. I think the duck under would just be an opportunity to whack your head on a regular basis.
 

fishrdan

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

I have never broken any hardware....as far back as 1971.

Is that nylon hardware? I was thinking of upgrading the main bow's leg eyes to SS fittings, but don't want to if it's going to rattle around. I fish in gnarly conditions, windy, big waves and don't want the bimini hardware failing. If nylon is strong enough, I'll just stick with that.

Yeah, I'm going to install sliders on the outside edge of the gunwale, so the stowed cover can sit at the edge of the transom (I/O boat). I'm hoping that it will be completely out of the way when stowed. I don't know, maybe install long sliders so I can move the bimini towards the bow and mostly out of the way for landing fish when I'm by myself... decisions, decisions.

Still going for the low bimini at this point...
 

MRS

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

duck under for me... I don't use mine often, and when I do, its usually later sunday afternoon after I've had all the sun I need on a weekend. A lower one provides more shade late in the afternoon, a taller one would be worthless. (clipping towels on isn't an option if you are moving...)
That true you do not use clips with the boat running only when drifting or beached and or anchored.
And do not use plastic I changed all my fitting to ss and the front straps to metal clips , plastic will slip down the straps. Plus on the rear supports I got rid of the straps and use solid supports why stronger.
 

DuckHunterJon

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

My vote would be for a walk under. My convertible top is low, and I find it a real pain to use. I think I'd use it alot more if it wasn't always in the way.
 

beason

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

My vote would be for a walk under. My convertible top is low, and I find it a real pain to use. I think I'd use it alot more if it wasn't always in the way.

yea i have the convertible top as well. It is really nice if its cool out, or you get caught in the rain, or even if the lake is choppy and you dont want to get sprayed. But it is impractical to use 90% of the time, and just gets in the way. I think ive used it twice.

A taller bimini, at least for me, would be a better alternative. As long as i can make it under the low bridges. I REALLY like the setup they have that connects to the tower (if you have one). They look sharp!
 

gozierdt

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Luckily, I'm short at 5' 5", so I can go for a walk-under and still get relatively good shade. I mounted my bimini
on side rails so I can slide it forward or back when laid down, as well as provide the ability to slide is forward or back
if I'm anchored or going slow into the sun. I have had a melanoma, so I went with an 8' long top to give me maximum
shade, as well as provide better cover for my passengers (usually my kids and grandkids).
 

dingbat

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16,202
Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

I couldn?t see trying to fish with anything but a full height unless you liked the outline of 1? round tubing imprinted on your forehead.

On my last boat I went with a full height bimini enclosure. If you fishing in the rough, that's the only way to go as far as a bimini is concerned.
 

jjohnson120

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Dec 31, 2009
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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

I've had both, and will always opt for the type you can walk under. As it is I can just leave it up as soon as I'm on the water and can have shade if I want or walk to the front and get my tan on.
 

zagger

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

I've had both also and I definitely prefer the one you can walk under. As for shade I find the taller bimini is actually better since it allows more breeze and makes everyone feel cooler, this is from boating in the desert at 112 degree. Never boat in rain so that is not a factor for me.
 

fishrdan

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Jan 25, 2008
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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Thanks for all the replies!

It looks like we are about 50/50, 60/40 on high or low, and that's where I was at on my decision (decisions, decisions...) :rolleyes:

Soooo, I bought a 36" bimini that will give me 4'8"-5'4" off the deck and I'm going to mount it on a slider. This should work great for the family. But, since it won't work well for fishing, I'm going to telescope the legs. A bit of SS tubing or rod, couple of tube snap buttons and I should be in business. I just need to wait and see what size of tubing will fit inside the bimini bow and go from there. I also bought a 4' slider so I can move the bimini forward for fishing, get about 1/2 of it out of the cockpit.

Hopefully everything works as planned and I'll have the best of both worlds...
 

MRS

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Re: Bimini top, walk under or duck under?

Just make sure you get the straps with metal clips on them so they do not slip. Every time you change the height you will need to ajust the straps I had the plastic ones that came with the top and could never keep them from moving replaced with metal no more movement. All tops are a pain when fishing but it sure is nice to have shade when that sun is out in the summer time...
 
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