Which Bimini Top, Under or Over Tower????

[jaybird]

I can see pros and cons both ways but if the Bimini is over the tower it is much less functional and allows very little protection from the sun. I admit that I think the over the tower looks better but if I going to have a Bimini and it looks good but blocks very little of the sun I not sure its worth while. I truly dont see any disadvantage to stooping down to walk under it so it comes back to looks verses function and I am leaning toward function.

I have not yet decided but all of your input is very helpful, THANKS!

[SkiTower]

I can see pros and cons both ways but if the Bimini is over the tower it is much less functional and allows very little protection from the sun. I admit that I think the over the tower looks better but if I going to have a Bimini and it looks good but blocks very little of the sun I not sure its worth while. I truly dont see any disadvantage to stooping down to walk under it so it comes back to looks verses function and I am leaning toward function.

I think the "very little protection" is way too strong a statement. All I can say is find a boat and try it. I don't have an issue with mine, and if I had to bend over that far to go under a low one it would drive me CRAZY. To each his own, that's what makes this world go 'round.

[jaybird]

Yea, I wish I could have the advantage of both! Under is better shade, but that is the bigh question, is it enough to justify the lower bimini....

[srock]

Under tower because you start to loose shade when it gets too high. I will admit those above do look good.

[jaybird]

You all make very good points. I'm glad I asked before I ordered. The over / under is a major decision.
The main point is shade!

[gride300]

i hate the bimini on my 05. it still works , but there are so many flaws. i'd say get one with a colorway that will work for alot of folks and if you dont like it you can sell it.

[sunset-reflections]

Here is a good example of a under tower on a 1 gen tower.

[vacooley]

Under gives more shade but less air flow.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Blamey]

Under gives more shade but less air flow.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

Well technically the over gives more shade, it is just that less of that shade covers the boat.:p

[nautiques4life]

If you have Instagram I have probably 10+ photos of my boats... I am @alexjubbhimself on Instagram... Multiple gens, both under towers but plenty of different views- even from above. My vote is below. Esthetics aside (eventhough I think the over do not look as good), shade is a premium, fair skin, 100+° days common in AZ, plus we catch a lot of sunsets... Meaning we are on the boat from noon until the sun is on the horizon... Even with the lower one the last hour+ of the day is tough, id assume with an "over style" that window would start even earlier. Our newest "under" keeps me from hitting my head on the tower speakers, doesn't interfere with the rope, and extends out the back- so that more than just the driver/observer get shade plenty of the day. I will say I cannot stand up fully upright, but with the tower speakers i wouldn't be able to do that in a few places either, even with an over style.

[srock]

Nautiques4life...a little late to the party but who's bimini is that on your boat. That is what I am looking for.

[OakTree]

In "sunset-reflections" post above, the bimini on the Air Nautique pictured is exactly what I am looking for. Does anyone know who the manufacturer is? Thanks.

[OakTree]

I was able to find the bimini in "sunset-reflections" post...
https://towerbiminis.com/gallery/nautique/

[OakTree]

I am trying to come up with the best plan for a tower and bimini for a 1990 Ski Nautique. After considering all the input on this thread, I have decided to go with an under-the-tower bimini to increase shade for more hours of the day. I have one concern about this setup...Does having an under-the-tower bimini create difficulty getting to wakeboards on fixed board racks that are both above the bimini and outboard along the side of the boat?
Any input regarding this would be appreciated.
My concern about swivel racks below the bimini are visibility/blind spots and the tower manufacturer recommends against them for my boat because he says I have a fairly narrow beam and there is not enough room to swivel a full rack of boards into the boat. Thanks again for any input.