Calling all you 10 foot bimini owners

[Moki]

I am getting a new tower this winter and will need to get a new bimini. I really like the idea of the 10 foot bimini, but have a few questions:

1. Does it zip in half, in other words can you have a five foot bimini and add the extra 5 when you want it?

2. How hard is it to put up and take down?

3. How does it affect the wakeboard rope coming off the tower?

4. Does the whole thing store on your tower or do you have to store it separately?

5. Does it come in moto green and fuchsia? [Just kidding on this one - actually want royal blue]

[Randy509]

10' bimini

Not sure what boat and tower you have but we have a 22ve with an Explosion tower and 10' bimini.(Moto green and fuchia were out of stock when our order was placed.) (Kidding of course.)
1-The bimini frame is one piece.
2-Awkward for one person to set up, but can be done in a short period of time.
3-Rope is not effected by the bimini
4-When stored, it must rest on top of rear hatch area and does interfere with access to hatch lids.

We have young kids and spend long hours in extreme heat and sun. The only time we leave the bimini down is when there are strong winds and trailering becomes an issue with the top up. Good luck!

[zany]

Re: Calling all you 10 foot bimini owners

Originally posted by Moki
I am getting a new tower this winter and will need to get a new bimini. I really like the idea of the 10 foot bimini, but have a few questions:

1. Does it zip in half, in other words can you have a five foot bimini and add the extra 5 when you want it?

2. How hard is it to put up and take down?

3. How does it affect the wakeboard rope coming off the tower?

4. Does the whole thing store on your tower or do you have to store it separately?

5. Does it come in moto green and fuchsia? [Just kidding on this one - actually want royal blue]

I have a 24ve with explosion tower and 10'bimini.

1) Canves comes in one piece
2) Easy with two people, can be done with one person.
3) No effect at all
4) I had mine raised up a little higher (6'3" clear), so mine does not fold back on engine cover, I store it on the seats. Some bimini manufactures dont recommend that you tow your boat with bimini secured to the tower, they claim that the material will chaff.
5) Mine is striped with Blue, silver and white.

At the colarado river the 10' bimini is a must.

[Moki]

Thanks Zany! I take that overall you are pretty happy with it.

[Moki]

Re: 10' bimini

Originally posted by Randy509
Not sure what boat and tower you have but we have a 22ve with an Explosion tower and 10' bimini.(Moto green and fuchia were out of stock when our order was placed.) (Kidding of course.)
1-The bimini frame is one piece.
2-Awkward for one person to set up, but can be done in a short period of time.
3-Rope is not effected by the bimini
4-When stored, it must rest on top of rear hatch area and does interfere with access to hatch lids.

We have young kids and spend long hours in extreme heat and sun. The only time we leave the bimini down is when there are strong winds and trailering becomes an issue with the top up. Good luck!

Thanks Randy for your input. I am going to get the explosion tower as well!

[zany]

Originally posted by Moki
Thanks Zany! I take that overall you are pretty happy with it.

Love the 10' bimini, I would have got a 12' bimini if they made it.
The only downside to the 10' bimini, is the 10' bimini does not work with swivel board racks.

[xpjim1]

I have a 10 foot bimini, Mine is 2 pieces which zips together. Very nice as when we are boarding I prefer only to cover me. When wife in the boat full bimini is used. When only the guys I do not even take the back extension with us.

1 person can open it, 2 makes it easier. I choose the 2 piece myself since it oferred us more options.

Drawback is sometimes rope catches on extension when it is not opened. Only happens when going back to downed riders. When both are open no problem with the rope.

Mine was made in Henderson Nevada.

[Moki]

Originally posted by xpjim1
I
Mine was made in Henderson Nevada.

Jim, I like the idea of a two piece. Who made it for you in Henderson? Also, what tower do you have?

Thanks-

[xpjim1]

It is a Metcraft tower. I believe the place was Harold's Canvas. It's who Matt of Boats of Nevada uses. Very professional work. They only made the extension as the boat came with the forward bimini.

[Coop]

Moki --

I have a 24V with a 10' bimini and the Phat Budde tower. In terms of function, my responses are basically the same a zany.

You may want to think about how tall you want it when it's up. Mine is only about 5'9", which works fine for me, but taller people have to duck a little. One reason I like having it shorter is it gives a little better shade coverage. As usual, a trade off.

Biggest downside to the 10 footer is the storage. Mine is either up or off the boat. Only place to store it is down on the seats -- fine for storage and towing, but not workable when boating. That's why I really like Jim's --more flexibility. If I were getting it now, I'd look hard at the two piece.

Overall, I love it -- a necessity in real heat.

Good luck.

[Moki]

Originally posted by smachfam
Moki --

I have a 24V with a 10' bimini and the Phat Budde tower. In terms of function, my responses are basically the same a zany.

You may want to think about how tall you want it when it's up. Mine is only about 5'9", which works fine for me, but taller people have to duck a little. One reason I like having it shorter is it gives a little better shade coverage. As usual, a trade off.

Biggest downside to the 10 footer is the storage. Mine is either up or off the boat. Only place to store it is down on the seats -- fine for storage and towing, but not workable when boating. That's why I really like Jim's --more flexibility. If I were getting it now, I'd look hard at the two piece.

Overall, I love it -- a necessity in real heat.

Good luck.

Smachfam,
Thanks for your input. I am liking the idea of the two piece as well. I can see me always having the 10 footer up in the summer at Lake Powell, but only using it occasionally when I am up north.

[spharis]

Originally posted by smachfam
I have a 24V with a 10' bimini and the Phat Budde tower.

Did you have Phat Budde order it at the same time as your tower?

[Coop]

Originally posted by spharis
Did you have Phat Budde order it at the same time as your tower?

No, the bimini was ordered by my dealer and made by Adlee Covers, an outfit in So. Cal. that does most of the biminis for that dealer. Webste is http://adleecoversboats.com/.

[Wake Havasu]

Aldee made my 10footer.

I like mine.'

Takes two to walk it back and open it and walk it forward.

One piece.

I am 5,8 and its a goo Dthree inches above me.

The sunny parts are the bow and sun deck!

[Moki]

Thanks for your feedback Wake Havasu,
I am going to probably use Aldee as well, but see if they can make a two piecer like Jim's boat.