Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

[scooper77515]

Pics below.

Wife is white irish catholic, etc. etc. Doesn't do well on the lake for long periods without some shade. The boat has a big air waketower, Vapor model.

The stock bimini didn't fit with it, and of course wake tower trumps bimini.

Until this owner. I need both.

Who makes good ones that are easy to install and hold up to 45mph driving, and can fold up and go down with the collapsible wake tower?

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

I have the same tower on my Bayliner. I measured the width center of the top of the windshield and ordered a Bimini from an eBay seller and some winsheild mounts for the Bimini from another. I had to cut off a few inches from the bottom, but it was a fast install and looks like it was custom built for me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350241290879&viewitem=

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120472986304&viewitem=

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

That looks GREAT! Gotta get in touch with him soon.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

Let me toss this out there...

Generally, would I be happier in the long run if I took it to a shop and let them measure, cut, and assemble for me?

I would rather spend a couple hundred more and lose the boat for a couple weekends if the quality is going to be better and it will hold up longer.

Also, trying to not cut or drill into anything. Will this affect the quality of the biminis available?

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

Let me toss this out there...

Generally, would I be happier in the long run if I took it to a shop and let them measure, cut, and assemble for me?

I would rather spend a couple hundred more and lose the boat for a couple weekends if the quality is going to be better and it will hold up longer.

Also, trying to not cut or drill into anything. Will this affect the quality of the biminis available?

NOPE, really it's just aluminum (or stainless if you wish) and the cover (go sunbrella if you can) that they custom make for your tower. Most places will drill or use a clamp attatched to your tower to mout the bimini. You can NEVER go wrong with something custom made for you boat and tower combo. Be sure to post pics when it's done it's going to look awesome.......

 

[Lou C]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

I mounted some slider mounts on the inside of the interior by mounting them to the gunnels (coming pads) so that the top fit inside the windshield frame. I did it this way so I could later have an enclosure made to extend the boating season. The slider mounts let you move it out of the way for fishing or whatever. I would not mount a bimini to the windshield frame because they can flex at speed and you don't want pressure on the frame because it can shatter the tempered glass making a huge expensive mess...

This also enables me to fold the top down and it all fits under the cockpit cover so when there is bad weather I dont' have to worry about the bimini swaying in the wind when the boat is on the mooring all summer.

If you wife is fair skinned definitely get the bimini you have to be careful in the sun, make her wear sunscreen too....


here I don't have a pic but I made this crude diagram on yours to show how I did it....

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

I mounted some slider mounts on the inside of the interior by mounting them to the gunnels (coming pads) so that the top fit inside the windshield frame. I did it this way so I could later have an enclosure made to extend the boating season. The slider mounts let you move it out of the way for fishing or whatever. I would not mount a bimini to the windshield frame because they can flex at speed and you don't want pressure on the frame because it can shatter the tempered glass making a huge expensive mess...

They have been mounting them to window frames for years so don't believe everything you hear. You dont want to waste any space by mounting inside the boat and in turn getting a taller bimini that you will have trouble folding, do what you said and have one custom built that mounts to a tower you will be much happier.........

 

[Lou C]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

They have been mounting them to window frames for years so don't believe everything you hear. You dont want to waste any space by mounting inside the boat and in turn getting a taller bimini that you will have trouble folding, do what you said and have one custom built that mounts to a tower you will be much happier.........

There are some boats that were made to have the bimini mounted on the windshielf frame, but if you look at the ones that came that way vs boats with a simple convertable top, the ones with the bimini factory mounted have a MUCH HEAVIER DUTY frame and used thicker aluminum...if you mounted a tall bimini on one of those light duty frames with the winds and waves we get one day it could just go CRACK and that fancy curved windshield...well you won't like the repair cost....

I called Overtons' about this and the sales rep told me specifically NOT to mount them to the windshield frame if the boat did not come with a factory bimini mounted that way. Keep in mind that the simple convert tops mount to the front of the windshield frame so there is very little stress on them...biminis sway in the breeze....tempered glass does not like to be flexed...

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

Hey! That boat in the picture looks JUST LIKE MINE

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions.

We need one bad, after today. Ended up pretty well burned by 2pm, then headed back to the boat ramp and some guy had just decided to drive his brand new f250 into the water. Straight off the ramp nose first completely sinking his truck.

Cops and fire department pulled him out, and proceeded to block the entire 6-lane launch with all their cars and equipment. Then crime-scene photo session and investigation. Took us nearly 2 more hours to get the boat out of the water, and we are both BURNED to a crisp.

Really regret going out without a cover. We need to get one ASAP!!!

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

What was that guy thinking. How did he go in nose first?? Oh well.

Here are some suggestions for you and SORRY to hear you got BURNED! I listed from high to low price, but the last one is from a Tower company. Be sure to check them all out...................... HOPE IT HELPS!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUNB...9857552QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BIMI...6254236QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear


http://cgi.ebay.com/AERIAL-BIMINI-W...182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eafa3e036


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bimi...7296295QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear


http://cgi.ebay.com/BIMINI-TOP-WAKE...995?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5e18c31b





http://www.bigairwaketowers.com/bimini/

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Got a new-to-me boat. Glastron GX185. Need fold-up bimini to fit under waketower.

Thanks for the links. Got up early today and started searchig ebay but not finding anything I like. One from Great Britain, but not wanting to order overseas.

The guy in the truck...yup, nose first. Straight in. Kinda late in the day, around 2pm, so he may have been drunk or something. I am not sure what the story is.

you can clearly see his skid marks into the water, so not sure if he went in fast to take a look and then hit his brakes and slid in, or what