Need help on Bimini install

[MRMoffat1]

Hoping pictures say 1000 words. 2 solutions so far that I can think of:
1. Bend tip of rod
2. Remount connector to proper location

Two problems with those
1. How do you bend the tip, or where do you go to get it done (assuming this will work)
2. Holes from original install in tower will show. Can they be filled so it won't show?

Other ideas?

[FIC]

I have always been able to rotate the pipe on the mounting ends to match up are you saying that the mounting heads are not turning.

[spharis]

I would get some teflon and make a wedge spacer to place under the rod support connector (between the tower and the support) to get the bolt to the same axis as the bimini alignment. You could use rubber, plastic, teflon, or whatever. Even washers with some sort of trim would work. It looks like just a few degrees would work, so it wouldn't take much.

You could heat and slowly bend the plastic on the bimini mount, but it would be a weak point, and would probably fail more so than a staright one.

[chpthril]

MRM, I too had problems with my "finger bolts" working loose. I swapped them for some bimini bolts w/ a shoulder and put a nylon washer on each side.

I will take a couple of pics today and get the specs on the bolts and washers and post later.

[Moki]

I would purchase some Bimini tower mounts that clamp on to the tower with not drilling. Then you could adjust to the correct angle. I got my bimini and mounts through Xplosion Tower - http://www.xplosiontower.com/

[Domsz06]

bend the pole further up to give you the flat angle your wanting. Does that make sense? I had to on mine and it works great now.

[chpthril]

Here are the pics of my bimini:

4 "off the shelf" bimini hardware bolts (1/4 x 20 x 3/4L) 2 per side.
8 1/4" nylon washers, 4 per bolt because they were very thin.

The shoulder will bottom out and tighten against the mount, but will allow the bimini support to move a little and not loosen the bolt. a little duct tape on the shoulder will eliminate any rattle.

[Moki]

PS - Impressive graphics

[MRMoffat1]

Excellent. Appreciate the feedback. Responses:

I have always been able to rotate the pipe on the mounting ends to match up are you saying that the mounting heads are not turning.

Yes, the pipe does rotate independent of the mounting ends.

I would get some teflon and make a wedge spacer to place under the rod support connector (between the tower and the support) to get the bolt to the same axis as the bimini alignment. You could use rubber, plastic, teflon, or whatever. Even washers with some sort of trim would work. It looks like just a few degrees would work, so it wouldn't take much..

This will be Plan B. Seems like this would work. Agree - we are talking just a few degrees. Not much. Thanks.

You could heat and slowly bend the plastic on the bimini mount, but it would be a weak point, and would probably fail more so than a staright one.

Bimini mounts are either aluminim or steal, no plastic. The only plastic in the whole setup is the bolt head (see chpthril photo)

MRM, I too had problems with my "finger bolts" working loose. I swapped them for some bimini bolts w/ a shoulder and put a nylon washer on each side.

I will take a couple of pics today and get the specs on the bolts and washers and post later.

I like. Never thought of it. Plan A. Thanks. (I didn't quite catch the duct tape part though - which would drive this to Plan E if really required)

I would purchase some Bimini tower mounts that clamp on to the tower with not drilling. Then you could adjust to the correct angle. I got my bimini and mounts through Xplosion Tower - http://www.xplosiontower.com/

I think this would work. I couldn't see the photo of the mount very well on the web site - asethics vs no clamp is driving this to Plan C. That's just me. Thanks.

bend the pole further up to give you the flat angle your wanting. Does that make sense? I had to on mine and it works great now.

Makes sense. I'm not good at bending poles, could be a disaster, so Plan D. Thanks.

Thanks to all.

[Moki]

I think this would work. I couldn't see the photo of the mount very well on the web site - asethics vs no clamp is driving this to Plan C. That's just me. Thanks.

Here is a picture of the clamps. I chose the clamps for several reasons:

1. If you ever need to re-position your bimini or get a new one, you just move the clamps and there are no holes drilled in your tower.
2. I actually like the looks of them.

Good luck with whatever plan you go with.

[chpthril]

(I didn't quite catch the duct tape part though - which would drive this to Plan E if really required)

Sorry, put a round or two on the shoulder of the bolt will eliminate rattle

[spharis]

A few of the plastic/teflon washers chpthril suggested will be effictively the same as making a spacer wedge. It is probably also the easiest and cheapest to test. It gets my vote.

[evil0ne]

PS - Impressive graphics

No kidding, how'd you do that?

[MRMoffat1]

Here is a picture of the clamps. I chose the clamps for several reasons:

1. If you ever need to re-position your bimini or get a new one, you just move the clamps and there are no holes drilled in your tower.
2. I actually like the looks of them.

Good luck with whatever plan you go with.

Actually now that I see the photo up close, not that bad at all.

[MRMoffat1]

Sorry, put a round or two on the shoulder of the bolt will eliminate rattle

Ah. Gotit. Back to Plan A.