Bending the stainless tubing for a bimini top?

[sooner25]

My are you going with Stainless? I don't think I've ever seen a stainless bimini frame. Stainless will be around 3 times heavier that the usual aluminum bars. That weight will add up and translate directly to the mounting location. I'm not sure where your top attaches to, but if its attached to the fiberglass section of your boat I wouldn't recommend doing it.

On a side note there are several tube bending companies in Ok and Texas. Our company buys product from Webco almost daily (but it is ASME Certified materials so its a bit more expensive that just plain Jane tubing). I believe their office is out of OK. I don't know if they do one off stuff but you could call.

I'll try to find them and give them a call. Thanks!

[Timmy!]

I think I only paid about $800 for the bimini on my RZ2. I looked at your boat wrong and was thinking you had an alpha z tower and that's what my comments were directed at. Sorry if I caused any confusion.

[sooner25]

I think I only paid about $800 for the bimini on my RZ2. I looked at your boat wrong and was thinking you had an alpha z tower and that's what my comments were directed at. Sorry if I caused any confusion.

No confusion. I do have an Alpha Z. I just have an early bimini.

[Timmy!]

Wait - I thought Alpha Z's didn't come out until 2009? Do you have the Alpha Z (same as 2011) or the Z series tower (aluminum with single support)?

[sooner25]

Wait - I thought Alpha Z's didn't come out until 2009? Do you have the Alpha Z (same as 2011) or the Z series tower (aluminum with single support)?

I have an Alpha Z. My boat was one of the last '08s. It's actually built like an '09. Graphics, tower, etc...

[Fiveflat]

You can try using a conduit bender but fill the pipe with fine sand and tape the ends. That's prevented kinking and such for me with those little Harbor Freight benders also.

[Timmy!]

Good idea Five!

[Ewok]

I believe Tige uses stainless on the Alpha Z bimini for strength. It's rated to have the bimini up and tow the boat with it up (so 75mph?) from what I have heard. My dealer tried to have a local shop make the bimini's to save costs and they told him to just order the factory one because it costs them the same or more than what it is from the factory due to the stainless and the nice bends in it.

My bimini had a label on it that said do not exceed 45 MPH with the top deployed. I've never towed with it up and exceeded 40mph.