Just bought a used top (bimini, front, sides, aft) from a fellow member who kept the top when he sold his boat. This is a Formula top direct from the Formula factory. According to Formula, biminis for 272s, 292s and 311s are all exctly the same patterns.

So,,,,, my 311 has never had a top and doesn't have top mounts on the boat. Could a few of you guys with late eighties/early nineties 272s, 292s or 311s measure your mounts on the windshield frame and aft of the frame (rear mounts)? This will help me locate the new mounts I need to install.

I would really appreciate your help guys

Third,
I was hoping someone could help you , but here's my problem. Yes , the bimini's are probably the same. BUT , the boats UNDER them are different sizes and the dimensions there are liable to be different. Mines a 272 not a 311. The best I could tellyou is that the front of my bimini is a couple of inched behind the windshield frame and when you fold it back it lays across the front edge of the engine hatch , back just far enough that people can sit there with no problem.
Hope this is some help

bird,
i have a 88 model 311 with the factory top.
i'll try to get some measurements this week and post them for your. i am at home and the boat is in a dry storage facility about 10 miles away.

rnh

OKAAAAAAAAY, there's your answer

My answer is no bimini top allowed on a performance boat. I think it kills the look. We have an anchor shade for ours. On my older 20 footer, there is a hatch at the stern that hide the bimini when not in use. I haven't decided to use it or not, but there won't be a bimini rolled up across the cockpit.

cuda,
we have a top but it stays in the shed not used.
i agree with you about the "looks" thing.

rnh

RNH, thanks man!! Look forward to your measurements, it will be a great help.

Now, as for you Cuda,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ever been caught in a raging downpoor? Ever sleep over in the boat with billions of skeeters all around? Well, if so, the bimini with all enclosures is just too practical not to have. (Cuda, the above is meant light-heartedly, don't get pissed )

But seriously, I agree that it does little for asthetics. However, a real nice bimini like Formula builds is kinda cool in its own right. And, it makes the cockpit an extension of the cabin for weekend stays on board, Mrs. ThirdBird and I love to harbor-hop and stay on the boat. Climbing in and out under the cockpit cover blows!!

I'm going to see if there is any way to store the thing in the engine bay. Theres tons of room in back of the seat in front of the motors. Width being the deciding factor. Theres more space under the gunwhales so maybe it can be coaxed in there.

ok #3bird,

the top has 4 pin type connection points.
1 on each side in the back mounted to the glass just to the front of the rear hand rail that goes around the sun pad.
the other 2 are mounted to the windshield frame ( i think this is the measurement you are looking for) 34" from the rear of the frame to the center of the pin on each side.

there are 4 "eye" hooks to the front. 1 on each side of the center line of the windshield frame. the other 2 are located on each side just as the frame startes to straighten out towards the rear of the boat. there is a break in the frame at this point and they have
an eye hook on each side at this point.

i hope this helps, if your need further info or a drawing let me know.

rnh

RNH,

Perfect man!!!! The 34" measurement from the back of the windshield to the center of the bracket pin is the critical measurement,,,,,,,,,just what I needed!!! Thanks a ton man!

Other placements of rear brackets and strap hooks will be easy now that I know that critical dimension.

What a great site!!!!!!!!!!Thanks again RNH.