need new bimini top

[topaz surfer]

Ok so Im looking for some input on bimini tops. I bought my 2003 22v and it has no frame or bimini top. I know I can find a local outfit to make me one but curious if anyone has bought an aftermarket one that they like? Also how big should I get to have a good amount of shade as I have no idea what the original one even looked like?

thanks

[whitlock87]

what tower do you have?
Or when you said no frame, are you talking about the tower for wakeboarding?

[NICKYPOO]

I had Gianola's Boat Canvas build mine. They are kinda of a little dirtbag shop but, they've been doing biminis for a long, long time. Mine has been absolutely bulletproof. I also had them make a matching bow cover. When I got the new tower, they were able to make a new frame for the existing "canvas" (its actually Sunbrella).

Regarding height; I like my bimini low. I don't stand around in my boat though. That might all change when I eventually get a V-drive, if ever. Those little dinky biminis sitting on top of towers just look pointless to me. If the sun was always at 12:00 at the attitude of my boat never changed, it might give some sort of effective shade for the driver and observer. That ain't the real though. The higher a bimini is, the less effective the shade it produces becomes. I wanted my mine work well, therefore it is low and as big as possible.

Regarding aesthetics; a good looking bimini should look like a proper fitting baseball cap. Not too low, not too high, not all jacked up in the front, not all jacked up in the back. It should have a power sized bill. Not too short, not too long. Once again, these were design elements I wanted. Gianola's made it happen. I also did three colors. The bow seating basically determined how that went down. The very front seat back panel is blue w/red accents. The bow cover stripes start at the exact same widths and flare out to the width of the windshield walk-through. That width determined the width of the stripe on the bimini. I also had them do poles instead of straps. It looks much cleaner IMO.

Check my gallery for pics.

[topaz surfer]

I have the stock metcraft tower. Its not the one everybody hates though. Thanks nickypoo for the local info. That might be the way I go. I will look at your gallery when I get a chance. I like the custom idea as I might try to do the wakesurf pockets in the bimini as well, money pending.

[NICKYPOO]

Ya, mine wasn't exactly inexpensive. I think spent upwards of $1100 on the bimini and $400 on the bow cover. They use quality products and do quality construction though.

[topaz surfer]

Yeah I would like to spend less than that but I also want a quality product. Thanks for the info.

[NICKYPOO]

Can't hurt to ask them. I kinda went full tilt at the time. I'm sure they could do a one color with straps for considerably cheaper. Plus, times have been tough. I'm sure they need the business. Give them a dollar amount you have to spend and what you need. They might just bite.