280 bimini
 

this place is dead, need to wake it up a little.


Not really thrilled about the idea of drilling holes, but the anchor shade doesn't really work for us either, so I need to install a bimini.

Was curious if anyone has one installed one on their velocity, and if so if you have pictures of the mounts?

This is not only for shade, but I will fab up some side, front, and rear windows for rain, and bad weather when we overnight.

It will store in the engie comparment, I have plenty of room in there, and I'm not worried about using it while running either, mainly used for when we are anchored out.

Cabin,

I should be going out on mine later this week and I'll take a few pictures of what I had made for ours.

Rick

Anxious to see Rick. We overnight almost everytime we go out and been thinking about canvas too.

Tired of sleeping under the cockpit cover...

I'm working on that for my boat too--I want to create a greenhouse effect to extend my boating season into cooler weather, as well as have a rain cover and sun shade. I ordered an 8 ft long bimini that comes with both vertical and horzontal mounts for the main poles. The width fits just inside of the cockpit. I'm going to try to use the vertical mounts and attach them onto the interior viniyl upholstry sides. Then, I want to make clear side curtains all-around like you mentioned...

Suntimes- I'd recommend using a solid mounting surface, use good stainless hardware and thru-bolt using backing plates not just washers whether your mount on the top of or sides of panels.

A Bimini was a great addition - really appreciated it with all of our no wake zones especially in August. The only downside we have noticed is that when the top is open or even closed up in the boot but in the upright position entry from the dock into the boat is a little more challenging. Our Bimini stretches from about 12" forward of the instrument panel to about 12" past the rear seat headrests so a smaller top may be less challenging.

Unless the weather forecast changes I should be able to take some pictures on Thursday or Friday.
Rick

Sounds good! I definitely will be doing a solid job with good thru-bolt hardware because I want it to last. Looking forward to seeing how yours is done. Here is a pic of something like I am hoping to do (but with several changes)

Camper Top
 

I bought this wind screen and top from a fellow 3 years ago and still have not installed it on my boat.
I've been using the anchor shade so far...

i don't have a windshield, or windscreen.

some day when I have the funds, I'd like to get a windscreen though.

Thanks for the pics.

It will probably be a little while yet, before I go for the windshield. How much would you take for it, and why are you selling it?

I can't decide if i would rather have the windshield or the windscreen.

wow, gotta love the ib mod

Happy New Years Guys,

Hope these are helpful; we were already getting into New Year's Eve mode when I remembered to take pictures. The shop that made the top swears it should be safe to 70 mph- I have only run up to 55-60 with it open and it was secure but I can't imagine running any faster with a small sail over our heads. Have stainless backing plates under each mount; the only change may be adding a nylon pad between the stainless and fiberglass- still undecided on this.

Rick
http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/DSC00674.jpg
http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/DSC00676.jpg
http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/DSC00680.jpg
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Almost sunset-
http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/DSC00696.jpg

Thanks for the pictures, Rick. It looks like you have a very nice set-up with all ss fittings and good coverage over the cockpit. 60 is really booking with the top up. The yellow probably doesn't get real hot in the summer either, which is nice. I'm going with white for the same reason...can hardly wait for warmer weather to come up here!

Perfect. Thank You!

Here is how my bimini turned out...

Looks good I like the way it is mounted inside. When you close the top does it fold forward or to the back?

Rick

I will drop it onto the sunpad when I'm ready to put it away or to make a fast run. Otherwise, I can push it forward onto the support if I want to get it out of the way at anchor. It also detaches and slides around the front seats from behind and onto the floor.

Very nicely done!

A bimini wasn't the coolest looking addition to our boat but it is one of the most enjoyable.

I know what you are saying. I think my boat looks good, but it's the performance and function that really makes the boat fun :D There is still a lot more function I will be adding to the boat (and more performance when money allows!).

Would either of you 2 be able to take some measurments for me? I bought a bimini for mine, but is WAY to tall, and I need to shorten it. I am afraid I can't shorten it enough with out it throwing the geometry of the poles off? Its 54" tall now, and I think it needs to be shortened about 20"

Cabin,

I should be heading up to the boat this afternoon- what exactly do you want measured?

Rick

AWESOME THANK YOU!
Mainly need the over all height, and the distance from the mounting point to the the actual fabric of the 2 main bars, and also the distance from the main bars to the seconday bars that go through the straps.

thanks again. I have mine in about 20 pieces trying to adjust it to fit properly, with out looking stupid. Its about 3feet to tall.

Main bar going aft 52" to middle of bend.
Main bar going forward 48" to middle of bend.
Small bows are about 12" to middle of bends.
Rear support is 20".

Don't go too low- mine is perfect height if standing in cockpit but too low for me to sit on sunpad and in the shade. On the bonus side it keeps any drunks from attempting to climb from cockpit onto bow.

Rick

perfect! Thank you so much. I will attempt to reassemble this thing to those dimensions.

thanks again.

-Shane

I bought the 42" top and it was too tall. I shortened the main poles by 5 inches and it almost came out too short because I miscalculated. I would say cut less than you think the first time and see how it looks first!

The one I bought is 54". I cut it down 12", but its still to dam tall!

If your top is 8 ft long, the height will start dropping fast with the cuts. Maybe cut in 2 or 3 inch increments from where you are now...

yes, its 8ft long.
What are you guys doing with the tops, when not in use?

Well I'm getting started on my winter project of adding a top...so happy to find this thread. I really like Suntimes set up. With the top up is it a pain to acres the sun pad. Wheres the best place to get the top from.

I ordered mine from Wholesale Marine. The 73-78 width size just barely fits inside the boat so you can take it off and lay it on the floor. Mine is the 8 foot long one and I think it is the best length. The back hangs over about 1/2 over the sunpad so you get protection in the back seat but you can still get into the sun if you want. I bought the 42" height, which was too tall (about a foot over my head, standing). I cut mine down, but I think the next size down (36" height) would be the right size.

I don't have a problem getting in and out of the boat under the back of the bimini. You can adjust the angle of the top to give you more or less room under the back vs the front.

Good luck with your project!

Here is what mine looks like on the water. You can see the top is very adjustable-I raised the center part of mine by moving the two center hoops up a bit. Most people keep the top straight, though.

Thank you. I like the look. Is it arttwood or talormade brand. After looking at your boat closely I noticed you cuddy lift door has a cylinder to keep it up...I need that...never been on mine at least no mounting holes I can see. Also don't have little windows on the side. Also would you get me a pic of the underside of you back seat(the storage area). Mine is tore up badly from speaker box removal by previous owner or thief. Its loose and broken and missing upright supports. I can move it around by hand. These are my winter fixes. Thank you helping me out.

I think it is Talor Made--was called "Hot Shot". The cuddy door lift was my own design--I think you are the first one to notice! You can find lifts and mount pieces if you look around--just make sure you get stainless steel mount hardware so it doesn't rust on the upholstry. I can probably dig up the specs on those sometime if you want. The side windows open and have screens--gives good cross-ventillation. I did a lot of research before I ordered those--Velocity installed them for me.

I will try to take a pic of the back seat layout next time I'm on the boat. There are vertical braces that run from the floor up the front and back sides to the plastic lip that the cushions sit on.

Post some pics of your boat when you get the chance!

I want to say Thanks, I have a list of things that need repaired and am just trying to get the most important ones taken care of first. Seat supports and mounting down are first along with recovering the bottoms. Its a shame what was done to the boat before i got it. The top is next as we are LOTO boaters and will be coving out alot and have a 5 year old. I will probably start a thread on the updating and repair. I look forward to you and others imput. Got to look into getting pics added so its not just talk.:coolcowboy:

Good to see you're making progress, we'll have to meet up some as soon as the searson starts. I have no problem lending any help needed; I've done lots of fiberglass and fab work, built more than my share of motors, and done some limited interior repairs. With my specialty being electrical and audio. So just PM me!

Hey guys just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents I would seriously look into a good canvas shop and have it custom made for your boat . those ready made universal bimini's are a compromise in every way,...... having splices in the frame, not good,.... to little crown,... alum vs stainless steel ,.... not the right kind of mounts etc, etc, being IN the canvas buisness most of my life I can tell you you'll have a much better bimini.... I can refer reputable shops in your area as I am part of the marine fabricators assoc. and have a directory for the east side of the US. Only the best should go on a VELOCITY

I would rather have it done local as I perfer to support my local economy but dont know of any shop in Kansas City, Mo. If you can provide that info, I will be more than happy to check them out. PM me or post it up...

Stacks upholstery in Merriam KS. Or turner auto upholstery in overland park.

You can go to this web site and look,.........http://marinecanvas.com/mfa/members/search I didn't see that many that are listed. Good luck

I checked the local places including the ones listed. Nobody around here makes the frame. They all were more than eager to do some stiching though. Prices seemed to be all over the map. Still looking for the best solution. Just got my union vaca check so the boats gettin stereo, top, and rear seat fixed. I think I want to build enclosed sub boxes (jl 10s) into the rear seat bottom as part of the support that is missing. Any way if you have any more bimini ideas... By all means...Post Up.