Bimini Top?

[tooclean]

First off I have a 1999 V-limited. I am looking to add a tower at a later time, but would like to have a bimini first. I have looked at Monster Towers site and the Bimini they have that is suggested to be used with their tower is $500. I have seen some cheaper ones and was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

The width with the tower and without should be less than two inches difference, so it should work?

[spharis]

The Monster is in part because of its mounting system and sizing; it comes with ball joints allowing easy on/off of the cover. It fits just right under the tower.

You can have a bimini refitted once you buy your tower. They are usually sized by width and height. Each of those only has a couple of different sizes. I think if you went with the proper length, you can find plenty of options to mount it after you get a tower. I could have reused my regular bimini after I added my tower, but it was 8 years old with no boot and a nice rip, so it was time for a new one.

[Jason B]

I would imagine you'd save yourself the headache of refitting if you got the tower first, that'll answer alot of sizing/fitment questions before they become a problem. You need a tower anyway; you may as well get it now.

[Razzman]

First off get the tower first as the bimini probably will have issues if you don't. Second, cheap biminis are just that, cheap. The hardware flexes, the mounts strip and the fabric tears or unravels. I paid $700 for my Tower Bimini and it's worth every penny of it. Custom made for the tower, my color choices and specs. Money well spent.

[chpthril]

I'd have to agree, get the tower first (if you cant pull the trigger on both at once). I know the shade is nice, but lot less trouble in the end to go this route.

[scootc]

I had a local upholstry shop custom build a bimini after I installed the Monster.

[Jason B]

My wife keeps bugging me to get a bimini cover. I tell her to go under the boat, plenty of shade there

Seriously though I need to get one too. I like that oversize one.

[G-MONEY]

I had a local upholstry shop custom build a bimini after I installed the Monster.

Can you pull a boarder from the tower with the extended top up?

I just look like it would cause problems with the rope getting snagged.

[spharis]

I had a local upholstry shop custom build a bimini after I installed the Monster.

Looks good. Nothing out of the ordinary for a bimini. I am sure you could have gotten the bimini first. They really aren't sized that "custom".

[scootc]

Can you pull a boarder from the tower with the extended top up?

I just look like it would cause problems with the rope getting snagged.

Occasionally it will catch on the corners when we're turning around to pick up a rider (going slow), but as the slack is taken up it pops off. When we're actually pulling the bow is up - so the angle keeps the rope from even touching the bimini.

[scootc]

Oh, and I'm actually planning to lower the bimini about 10" so I can get my speakers back on. I'll post some pix when it's done (probably in the spring).