Advice for Bimini on 220 FCT?

[jonfo]

I have an 07 220 TE with FCT and I am looking for a bimini (all black) since I will have a 6 month old on board this summer. I have never had a bimini before, and I would have only got one for the rain here, but I guess I need one to block the sun now. Also, I have to put my tower up and down a lot since I store it on a boat lift with a canopy. I don’t expect to use the bimini every time i go out though.

I looked at the pictures on http://www.towerbiminis.com and it looks like the OTT onces give some more clearance, but look a little odd sitting up so high on the 220s tall tower. I like the look of the UTT ones a little better. The price seems to be in the $700-800 range with shipping. The site is quite outdated though, I can't choose a model later than 2005 or else I have to specify custom dimensions.

Any advice, links, photos, etc. would be appreciated.

[sacramentia]

I have an 07 220 and had the option of the UTT or OTT when we picked up the boat. I put both of them on in the parking lot to see how they woked:

- UTT provided much better shade to the passenger seat. OTT required you to move around to the shade spot and did not cover the outside edge of the seat where your arm goes.
- I have speakers that hang down about 10", so clearance was the same with both. If I didn't have speakers, the OTT would provide much better headroom.
- This is an opinion, but we thought the UTT looked better.

As far as taking the tower down and storing in - it is just one more step in the process. On mine I disconnect the front first and then the back and it is less of a pain, but it's still a pain.

The short answer is I'd recommend under the tower because it will provide more consistent shade for your baby.

[AuMDLST]

UTT = more shade

[dwvktm450]

I have an 07 220 with the under tower from towerbiminis.com and it works great. I think that the OTT is too high and does not provide enough shade. The bimini is much more secure and rattle free in comparison to many biminis I have seen in the past. Sorry i do not have any real close up photos.

[jonfo]

Thanks, it looks like the UTT is the way to go. Did you go with the stainless or aluminum hardware? It appears to be $105 extra for stainless plus $45 for stainless fittings.

[AirTool]

Go with the metal hardware. My plastic stuff just ain't good enough.

[bchesley]

I have a buddy with a 06 220 and a OTT that offers a lot less shade then my UTT and the 220 top is almost twice the size. I think the OTT are mostly for looks because for shade performance the UTT wins hands down.

[jonfo]

Also, here is the pictures of nautiques with FCT2 from the www.towerbiminis.com site.