Surf Bimini top for Alpha Z

[Duncan]

I want to modify my 09 AlphaZ bimini top to have front pockets and a rear strap to hold two surfboards like the 10/11 Tige Surf Bimini tops.

I have only seen the one video of Ragboy's that showed the surf bimini but there were not enough details to get an idea of the actual design.

Can anyone with the surf bimini post up pics and/or measurements? The stock configuration seems to be a good place to start.

Btw, the surf bimini is available directly from Tige but it is kinda pricey given that I already have a serviceable bimini.

[jbort]

How much from Tige? I'd love to add to my current bimini too. Have 07 22Ve.

[jbort]

whoops - just remembered - I have "orig" Z tower of older design-nevermind.......

[kerlee]

Yup, they are pricey when you have a functional bimini. Here is a picture of one. It would be easy to get a reinforced pocket sewn on but the only concern I would have when modifying an existing bimini would be reinforcing the framework to take the weight and lateral forces of the 2 boards up there. But it may not be an issue.

IMG_0575.jpg

[Duncan]

Yup, they are pricey when you have a functional bimini. Here is a picture of one. It would be easy to get a reinforced pocket sewn on but the only concern I would have when modifying an existing bimini would be reinforcing the framework to take the weight and lateral forces of the 2 boards up there. But it may not be an issue.

Thanks!

Assuming that is not your 09 RZ2 in the pic given the Touch and steering wheel.

Our glass boards are light and I doubt there will be any issue with weight or force. That bimini is sturdy.

Are the straps that go around the tail from inside the pocket? And is the tube to the right just a pad?

[kerlee]

Sorry, not my boat, just a picture that I got emailed to me. You got me thinking now because when I ordered my extended bimini they were in the middle of changing suppliers. And I ended up getting a whole new Bimini top with me extension. I could probably take my original Bimini top and have it sewn onto the top of my current Bimini to make a pocket, get some soft surfboard racks for car tops one for above and below boards and I would have it done. Will post pics if I do it?

[Duncan]

My dealer (SaM, woot!) received two pics from Tige of the surf bimini. Each pocket is 40" long by 24" wide. Size of the pocket opening is 23 1/4". The strap bundle is shown in the second pic. Cost was quoted as $732.

edit -- according to Tige, the surf bimini is compatible with the bimini extension.

I had a local shop estimate about $680 to modify the current bimini according to the pics. Seems high to me but they were probably being conservative.

[Coop]

When ordering my RZ2, I went back and forth on whether to get the surf bimini. Tige sent some pictures, and it looked like the design was changing (kind of a "work in progress") for this model year. For example, in earlier pics, I think they used bungees instead of the straps.

Ultimately, I decided to order the standard and wait to let them finalize the design and get some feedback on how it works in the field over the next season.

If anyone has it and has used it, I'd love to know the pros and cons, particularly with the extended bimini.

[Ewok]

These pics have me thinking it wouldn't bee too hard to get the mods done especially if you get the material for the canvas shop. I'd get a second opinion and I'll be looking at doing this soon.

Thanks Duncan & Coop!

[Duncan]

These pics have me thinking it wouldn't bee too hard to get the mods done especially if you get the material for the canvas shop. I'd get a second opinion and I'll be looking at doing this soon.

Thanks Duncan & Coop!

Yeah, I cut to the chase and just ordered the one from Tige. Now I have a "spare" bimini if I need it ;-)

[Coop]

Yeah, I cut to the chase and just ordered the one from Tige. Now I have a "spare" bimini if I need it ;-)

Duncan -- I hope it works well for you. Would love to get some feedback once you've used it a few times. Thanks.

[Duncan]

Duncan -- I hope it works well for you. Would love to get some feedback once you've used it a few times. Thanks.

Feedback = I have not idea how the boat functioned without those bimini pockets. I have used the pockets for a TWP F-18, IS Blue Lake, and a Hyperlite Swell skim style board. All three are very differently shaped boards. The pocket fit each one very well.

The strap goes from underneath, up over the board, and behind the fins to snug the board in. Under normal conditions, it might not even be necessary as once the baord is in the pocket, it is pretty snug.

The rear of the Tige bimini is a slick touch material. It will probably prolong the life of the bumini with boards going in and out over the rear edge.

Under way, the boards do not budge, even in choppy water. In fact, I would much rather have pricey glass boards tucked into those soft pockets than banging around in board racks.

The fit in the pocket combined with the strap is secure enough that I have towed the boat at low speeds (40 mph or less) for short distance fromt he ramp to campground (about 1 mile).

As I mentioned elsewhere, the new style surf bimini fits both the current style bimini frame and the older (pre-mid-2009) Metcraft style bimini frame. But (despite Tige's assurances otherwise when I bought the bimini) the new style surf bimni is NOT compatible with the older style bimni extension (two zippers on new vs. one zipper on old).

As a small negative, both sides of the bimini tend to flap depending on wind while under way (this may be due to a difference in my older Metcraft style bimini frame).

In summary, the surf style bimni was a GREAT purchase and greatly increases the number of boards you can safely carry and the convenience of accessing them.

[wallacmc]

Does the rope hit the fins and rear of the boards being stowed when wakeboarding? That is the only potential reason I can think of tha tthis wouldn't be a fabulous addition to the boat!

(I want one, becuase I'm suspecting that my new board is getting damaged from the racks. I can't verify this though because I bought it used and can't remember what dings were there already and which ones weren't.)

[Duncan]

Does the rope hit the fins and rear of the boards being stowed when wakeboarding? That is the only potential reason I can think of tha tthis wouldn't be a fabulous addition to the boat!

(I want one, becuase I'm suspecting that my new board is getting damaged from the racks. I can't verify this though because I bought it used and can't remember what dings were there already and which ones weren't.)

When wakeboarding, I angled the surf boards outward (while snug, there is some moving around you can do). It is no issue with the TWP board as it is short. The IS Blue Lake is longer -- straight in, I do not think there would be an issue with the wakeboard rope; angled, there is no issue.

We have Samson board/surf racks. Great rack but there were definitely dents in the TWP board from going in and out.

[jbort]

Duncan:

How bad are the dents and which TWP board? I have a Bazooka and planning to get wakesurf rack from Samson but concerned with board damage. I have 07 22Ve. You have the new tower right?