Bimini Top Measuring

How To Measure Your Boat For A Bimini Top

All that's necessary to determine which size top to order is choosing the length, height, and width that best accommodates your boat and your requirements. Remember that height as well as length determines how much shade your bimini top will provide. Consider the coverage area when the top is deployed or opened and also where it falls when it's closed and folded down at the rear of the boat. Ensure that there is enough space in front of and behind the deployed top to mount eye straps to secure the hold-down straps.

Using a tape measure, decide which length top provides the desired amount of shade coverage to your boat. The pivotal mounting point will be approximately at the center point of the top on each side of the boat. Swivel deck mounts included with the top are designed to mount on a variety of flat surfaces. Optional mounts are available for rail mounting. After determining where the pivotal mount location will be on each side of the boat, measure the distance between these mounting points to determine the width of top you need. This measurement is not the same as the beam width of your boat. The frame has some flex so it can be mounted over the width range indicated in the selection chart. Choose the width that most closely matches your mounting point width measurement. While standing inside the boat, measure from the pivotal mounting point straight up to determine the desired height. This measurement should be the minimum headroom clearance desired. Note that the height of the top is not the distance from the boat floor or the length of the frame arms. Straps allow for 2"-3" height adjustment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bimini Tops

• How do I know what size of a bimini top to order?
  The first thing you need to do is determine where you are going to mount the bimini. Determine how much overall height you need, and then subtract the height from the floor up to the mounting point (or simply calculate the height from the mounting point, up). Then, decide how much coverage you want fore to aft, and then measure the width between the two mounting points. Note that the width is listed in a range of widths; these tops are adjustable to accommodate these ranges.
  
  
• How fast can I drive my boat with the bimini top up?
  The manufacturer recommends that you not exceed 30 mph with the bimini top up.
  
  
• What is the difference between the regular bimini tops and the Ski Boat Bimini top?
  The Ski Boat bimini top is just a particular size that tends to suit most ski boat owners. It has a lower profile and is not quite as long. If the dimensions are appropriate to your application, you can use it on any boat; likewise, if you would prefer a longer or taller bimini, a ski boat is not limited to this particular model.
  
  
• What are the differences of the regular bimini tops and the Pontoon Bimini or Pontoon Buggy tops?
  The Pontoon Bimini and Buggy tops are both made with square tubing to match the square rails standard on most pontoon boats. These tops also come with 2 front support straps and 2 rear support braces rather than the standard 4 support straps. The only difference between the Pontoon Bimini and Buggy tops are the two flaps that the Buggy tops have to conceal the rear supports. Also note that these tops are also made by Marine Mooring; the rest of our bimini's are the Hurricane line made by Westland.
  
  
• How do the "Free Standing" Bimini tops support themselves?
  These pontoon tops have the rear support braces, but not the front support straps; instead of the straps, there is a locking hinge (similar to the leg locks on a folding table) that provides the support for the front of the bimini.
  
  
• What mounting hardware comes standard with the bimini tops?
  The bimini tops that we carry in the catalog come with hardware to mount the tops to a horizontal surface (i.e. a gunwhale, square handrail, or the deck). For all biminis except the pontoon models, this hardware is made of black nylon; the hardware for the pontoon tops are stainless steel.
  
  
• Can the bimini top fold down to either the front or the back?
  Yes. The way the frame is designed, it will lay flat in only one direction, but by removing the two thumb screws you can turn it around to collapse in the opposite direction.
  
  
• What is the matching boot?
  All of the bimini tops that we offer, except the 2-bow biminis, include a zippered storage boot made of the same material and color as the top. This boot allows you to protect your collapsed bimini and you from your from your collapsed bimini by neatly stowing the fabric, straps etc.
  
  
• What are the differences in the material?
  For the Hurricane (Westland) biminis, they are available in Sharkskin and Sunbrella (as described under FAQ-Covers), as well as, a 25oz. marine Vinyl. The pontoon bimini and buggy tops are available in either 24oz. vinyl or 6.5oz. polyester canvas.
  
  
• Do the pontoon tops include the small all-around light?
  The light is not included, but we offer two models that will work. We have a fixed 7 1/8" height light [#31652 at $9.99] and a fold-down model that stands 12" high [#28303 at $27.99]. You would have to wire these yourself, and if you purchase the fixed height model, the boot does not accommodate for the protrusion.