I have a little over two grand in to this. All stainless bows and fittings, sunbrella brand canvas. Easily converts to a bimini in just a few minutes. Also has curtains that drop midway back so I can take off the rear side curtains for fishing and still have the forward section to stay out of the rain and wind. Best money I have spent so far on my money pit.

Steve H

I make custom covers here in Michigan and I suggest only using sunbrella. Since top gun doesn't breathe,tends to fade, and has a little shrinkage. Sunbrella is fully breathable, fade resistant and won't shrink. It has a 5 year warranty. The cost for a bimini top is around 600 to 700 out of stainless steel and then the curtains will run you roughly 400.00 each. hope this helps. Bill Otto Custom Canvas Experts, Waterford, Mi 248-682-5000.

Has anyone ever tried to make a bimini and full enclosure using these collapsible tent poles? I have always wanted a full enclosure, but want to store it completely out of sight. Not much room in my engine compartment to store it.

the bimini part of mine just lays back on the sunpad......really doesnt bother you at all.......dont let that stop you from doing it.....you're missing out!!......the rear bow is a single "U" shaped piece that stores in the vee berth along with all the side curtains and the front......at the top of the thread the second pic I posted is with the top in the "down" position. In that shot everything is on the boat to put it in the fully "UP" position as in my first pic.......
heres the best shot I have with it on the sunpad

Untill the wife wants to use the sun pad too.......sun tan.

Mine has a cover that is used to wrap the bimini once its folded back. It is suported up, and resembles a radar arch. Looks fine and is in no ones way.

we just put it like this if she wants to sunbathe....I find while underway it moves around too much while bouncing off waves so we put it in the "all the way back" position

click on the pic, you can see it better.......