Bimini

[ced]

I have bought a 3-bow bimini top but I'm not really sure on how to fix it. The screws were all in the package and I want to fix the main bar to the frame of the "window" (sorry, don't know the exact word for this....) Do I only have to drill the holes and fix it with the screws; do I have to put a woodden bar under the gel coat to fix the screws, how do I fix it to the frame, when it is "down" (no sun),how do you fix it to the boat to be able to manuver .....please help, I'm pretty lost

[bkhallpass]

Ced,

I think the word you were looking for was windshield. Anyway,

The item on the left of your picture is the main mounting point for
the bimini. Looking at yours, it appears that it is designed to be
screwed in the side of the windshield, most likely as far aft (back) as
possible, and close to the gunnel (where the windshield frame meets the fiberglass) of your boat. One is mounted
on each side. The bimini is installed by removing the plastic finger
bolt (the part with the round black plastic) and screwing it through
the eye on the end of your bimini.

The item second from left is the eye for hooking the bimini strap. There
are fours. Two will be mounted on each side. The forward on will
probably be mounted at about the same distance as the front of the
windshield. Mine was a 1998 Ski Nautique, and the eye in front was mounted on the flat part of the metal window frame so as to avoid holes
in the fiberglass.

You will have to experiment how far back to put the back eye. Mine
was mounted in the step down area of the gunnel, on top of the
black foam padding.

The third item in your photo is a decorative ring for Stainless steel
screw. I have no idea why it was included in your kit.

The fourth item is the stainless steel screws which should be used
for both the eyes, and the main mount.

I no longer have this boat. I'm sure someone can post a picture of
theirs. However, if no one does, I can search to see if I have any
photos of my old boat with this type of bimini.

Good luck.

BKH

[ced]

Well that's an answer. Thank you, I think this will help me have a better conscience drilling holes in my loved one.

Thanks again bkhallpass

[bkhallpass]

Ced,

Two other things:

1) you should not need wood or metal backing. Just drill you holes,
small enough that the screws of you threads will hold the screw into
the fiberglass or metal.

2) When operating the boat with the bimini down. Unlatch the
4 bimini straps. Do not detach the main bmini mounting points.
Push the three metal bows together, and wrap the canvas around the bows. Put on the cavas boot or sleeve which should have come with
your bimini. Pivot the entire assembly forward so that it rests on
the bow in front of the windshield. Wrap the bimini straps around
the bows until they are very short, and attach to the front strap
eyes. This will keep the bimini from flopping up and down while
in the stored postion.

BKH

[ag4ever]

Be careful drilling in the windshield frame, as the glass is inside there.

I have the same mounting devices, and the main mount is on the tower horizontal bar, with the four strap anchors on the lgs of the tower near the mounts (about 8" up from the mount).

If you have a tower that is how I suggest you mount it.

You can also check out overtons to see the different mounting hardware if you don't want to put the main mount on the windshield.

[Blue Ski]

I picked up these mounts from Overton's for my windshield mounted bimini. They are much nicer looking than the traditional mounts and do not tear up the boat cover. Definitely worth the price. I did rotate the male end of the bimini mount attached to the bimini frame 90 degrees.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/over...item_num=33714

[slob02]

As AG4ever said. BE CARE FUL of the glass.