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Author Topic:   Bimini top really worth it??

BOB KEMMLER JR posted 11-04-2002 12:34 PM ET (US)
I fish the chesapeake bay mainly and i was wondering if putting a bimini on a small center console is really worth it?I imagine it would half to be pretty low to really block any sun.just wondering if there are any other bay whalers who have some advice for me.It's mainly to protect my wife,from the sun.Our old runabout had the bimini mounted to the top of the windshield so it reall shaded you,but on my lil Rage,im not sure its going to be worth it.
bobeson posted 11-04-2002 12:48 PM ET (US)

I have a Mills bimini on my Montauk 170, and I love it. I haven't been out fishing yet, mostly just scuba diving, so I don't know how irksome the support poles will be, but I really like having the shade available. I don't know what it'll be like on the rage, but my guess is that you'll benefit from it.
kgregg posted 11-04-2002 12:51 PM ET (US)
I boat on the Ches Bay too. If you spend any time on the water in July/Aug/Sept, you will want the bimini. I'm glad to have one on my Outrage 19. Still leaves plenty of room to fish off of stern.
JBCornwell posted 11-04-2002 01:13 PM ET (US)
Very nice to have the option of shelter from sun or downpour.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
jimp posted 11-04-2002 02:14 PM ET (US)
Bob -
Sometimes they're a pain in the butt, getting in the way, etc. BUT, as we get on in years and have to protect ourselves from the sun a bit more, the bimini is worth it.
Not too sunny or hot up in SE Alaska, but growing up on Eastern Long Island, and going back for visits to my folks, the bimini was worth its weight in gold. Summertime, hot, humid, no clouds, no breeze, sometimes you just need it. My Dad is 75, no skin problems, but the doctor has told him to "stay out of the sun". He doesn't boat without the bimini.
Plus, if you have one, you have an option to put it up or take it down. Its an investment in your boat and you.
JimP
PaulVT posted 11-04-2002 09:39 PM ET (US)
Go for it. We put a Mills sun top on our 15' Dauntless this spring, and it was a terrific addition.
Paul
Jimm posted 11-04-2002 09:54 PM ET (US)
Bimini - My dermatologist told me - "Don't leave home without it". I'm paying for the sins of my youth...Jim
bmclernon posted 11-04-2002 10:09 PM ET (US)
I to fish the mouth of the Choptank and the middle Chesapeake region. I can tell you my sun shade has been a real life saver during the hot summer days. I do notice when running at speed with the top deployed in my Montauk, it cost several MPH. Most other times, like now, It hangs in the shed.
whalerron posted 11-04-2002 10:24 PM ET (US)
Bob,
I don't use my bimini a whole lot but when I do, it's worth its weight in gold. I can remember a day or too at the mouth of the Choptank in August in the early afternoon. It was way too hot and the water was too full of sea nettles for us to jump in. If it hadn't been for the bimini keeping the sun off of our heads, we would have fried. It's also real good for fishing trips in the rain. Yeah, you can wear a rain suit but sometimes it's nice to have somewhere to get out of the direct rainfall. This is especially true when you need to get into your tackle box.
I wouldn't buy the bimini until you are sure about the boat. You can a bimini pretty quickly.
- ron
James posted 11-04-2002 10:52 PM ET (US)
Bob:
I fished Raritan Bay this year with my 170 Montauk and a Mills Bimini. The Bimini does get in the way for any fishing off to either side, but there was no other option but to use it during this year's intense summer heat. Money well spent, IMHO.
James.
Barry posted 11-05-2002 12:39 PM ET (US)
I've got a Mills bimini on my Montauk and almost never use it. I use the boat mainly for fishing and there are at least two, usually three, and sometimes four fishing out of her. When the top is up it is just in the way. I rely on sunscreen for sun protection and raingear to keep me dry.
skred posted 11-06-2002 08:03 AM ET (US)
I used a bimini on my 15 - and it does get in the way when fishing, but sure is appreciated in bright sunlight. I strongly recommend staying away from the dark-colored fabrics, though: with no breeze that top acts like a heat radiator. I know Mills' are generally blue, but I'd opt for either white or light gray if I could.
ratherwhalering posted 11-06-2002 12:39 PM ET (US)
The nice part about the bimini is that it is completely removable. I think the boat looks more civilized with it up, too. I leave it at home when fishing, but put it on when crusing in the California delta. It is a lifesaver in the heat, not to mention the protection it gives the console, cooler and seat... Hey, that rhymes.
Jimm posted 11-06-2002 02:31 PM ET (US)
skred posted...."I strongly recommend staying away from the dark-colored fabrics, though: with no breeze that top acts like a heat radiator. I know Mills' are generally blue, but I'd opt for either white or light gray if I could."
Mills will make it in any color that Sunbrella makes. You can go to
www.sunbrella.com for the choices.
tabasco posted 11-06-2002 04:27 PM ET (US)
It's cheaper than skin cancer surgery.....if you order one make sure you get the struts so it can stand up over the RPS when not in use
Ray
Dr T posted 11-06-2002 04:48 PM ET (US)
I took the one off the 13 when I refurbished it last year. My wife has been after me to put it back on (or get a new one).
I particularly like the color of the one shown in Cetacea 65 (along with the other deck fittings).
tds
etstmeb posted 11-06-2002 06:53 PM ET (US)
Bob, I fish the Delaware Bay with my 18 Outrage. As soon as I got it this past summer I ordered a custom bimini from American Canvas--any height--Iam tall so I ordered 2"above my height--and any length--I got a perfect fit for the width and 84" long--I love it--Ifishin the shade in the back and front of the boat--I would highly recommend it--adds to the enjoyment of the boat on those HOT days.
Steve
etstmeb posted 11-06-2002 06:53 PM ET (US)
Bob, I fish the Delaware Bay with my 18 Outrage. As soon as I got it this past summer I ordered a custom bimini from American Canvas--any height--Iam tall so I ordered 2"above my height--and any length--I got a perfect fit for the width and 84" long--I love it--Ifishin the shade in the back and front of the boat--I would highly recommend it--adds to the enjoyment of the boat on those HOT days.
Steve
where2 posted 11-11-2002 12:51 PM ET (US)
Definitely go with the Bimini. Set it up on a sliding track, and use adjustable pole supports at the rear to increase the versatility. With mine, I can either leave it lying down, raise it on the adjustable pole supports and leave the boot on it like a little radar arch, or open it up to make shade. In Florida, buying a boat without a bimini is like asking for skin cancer...
As for how low it is, it's only as low as you order it. Mine is mounted on the gunnel using 4' of track per side on a 15' Sport. I'm 6'1" and can stand under it as long as I am looking down. I wouldn't have bought a top I had to crouch under. (I don't like small tents either!) Most of the manufacturers make them with different length bows so you can usually get one with enough height to keep the top above your head without having to crouch.
GuyNole posted 11-11-2002 07:55 PM ET (US)
tabasco and where2 both mentioned the "braces" to make it stand up with the boot on. What is the advantage of this set up. I have a 2000 Montauk w/Mills top and don't have the rear polls. What am I missing. Mine either stays down in the boot on the bow or up. What else is their? I live in Orlando, and don't use it that often, but when cruising it is nice.
tabasco posted 11-11-2002 08:55 PM ET (US)
Mine Bimini came from the factory and I hated it. Up was nice when you wanted it up but down it would lay on the rear quarter seats.I called Mills and they made me two rear struts which when its not in use is out of the way standing above the RPS seat.
My understanding is that the factory picked up on my complaints and all the new factory bimini's come with the rear struts.
Ray
tabasco posted 11-12-2002 07:14 AM ET (US)
Sorry typo.......My bimini
where2 posted 11-13-2002 12:51 PM ET (US)
The advantage is mostly as tobasco describes. You can leave the bimini up off the deck where it's not pounding the gelcoat, and not in your way moving around the boat. When you're fishing, you'd probably want it stowed down out of the way.
Another advantage is that there are two less ropes/straps to mess with and fewer eyelets mounted to the deck. My support poles look exactly like the "Taylor Adjustable Boat Cover Support Pole", to which I added external eye end fittings. To mount one end to the deck, I used a "Deck Hinge" to mount the other end to the bimini, I used a "Jaw Slide". I used adjustable length support poles because I used a sliding track mount for the bimini. You couldn't sell me a set of fixed length support poles, and I wouldn't mount a bimini without using an adjustable track.
Obviously, I need to get the digital camera out and shoot more pictures of the boat...

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Author	Topic: Bimini top really worth it??
BOB KEMMLER JR	posted 11-04-2002 12:34 PM ET (US) I fish the chesapeake bay mainly and i was wondering if putting a bimini on a small center console is really worth it?I imagine it would half to be pretty low to really block any sun.just wondering if there are any other bay whalers who have some advice for me.It's mainly to protect my wife,from the sun.Our old runabout had the bimini mounted to the top of the windshield so it reall shaded you,but on my lil Rage,im not sure its going to be worth it.
bobeson	posted 11-04-2002 12:48 PM ET (US) I have a Mills bimini on my Montauk 170, and I love it. I haven't been out fishing yet, mostly just scuba diving, so I don't know how irksome the support poles will be, but I really like having the shade available. I don't know what it'll be like on the rage, but my guess is that you'll benefit from it.
kgregg	posted 11-04-2002 12:51 PM ET (US) I boat on the Ches Bay too. If you spend any time on the water in July/Aug/Sept, you will want the bimini. I'm glad to have one on my Outrage 19. Still leaves plenty of room to fish off of stern.
JBCornwell	posted 11-04-2002 01:13 PM ET (US) Very nice to have the option of shelter from sun or downpour. Red sky at night. . . JB
jimp	posted 11-04-2002 02:14 PM ET (US) Bob - Sometimes they're a pain in the butt, getting in the way, etc. BUT, as we get on in years and have to protect ourselves from the sun a bit more, the bimini is worth it. Not too sunny or hot up in SE Alaska, but growing up on Eastern Long Island, and going back for visits to my folks, the bimini was worth its weight in gold. Summertime, hot, humid, no clouds, no breeze, sometimes you just need it. My Dad is 75, no skin problems, but the doctor has told him to "stay out of the sun". He doesn't boat without the bimini. Plus, if you have one, you have an option to put it up or take it down. Its an investment in your boat and you. JimP
PaulVT	posted 11-04-2002 09:39 PM ET (US) Go for it. We put a Mills sun top on our 15' Dauntless this spring, and it was a terrific addition. Paul
Jimm	posted 11-04-2002 09:54 PM ET (US) Bimini - My dermatologist told me - "Don't leave home without it". I'm paying for the sins of my youth...Jim
bmclernon	posted 11-04-2002 10:09 PM ET (US) I to fish the mouth of the Choptank and the middle Chesapeake region. I can tell you my sun shade has been a real life saver during the hot summer days. I do notice when running at speed with the top deployed in my Montauk, it cost several MPH. Most other times, like now, It hangs in the shed.
whalerron	posted 11-04-2002 10:24 PM ET (US) Bob, I don't use my bimini a whole lot but when I do, it's worth its weight in gold. I can remember a day or too at the mouth of the Choptank in August in the early afternoon. It was way too hot and the water was too full of sea nettles for us to jump in. If it hadn't been for the bimini keeping the sun off of our heads, we would have fried. It's also real good for fishing trips in the rain. Yeah, you can wear a rain suit but sometimes it's nice to have somewhere to get out of the direct rainfall. This is especially true when you need to get into your tackle box. I wouldn't buy the bimini until you are sure about the boat. You can a bimini pretty quickly. - ron
James	posted 11-04-2002 10:52 PM ET (US) Bob: I fished Raritan Bay this year with my 170 Montauk and a Mills Bimini. The Bimini does get in the way for any fishing off to either side, but there was no other option but to use it during this year's intense summer heat. Money well spent, IMHO. James.
Barry	posted 11-05-2002 12:39 PM ET (US) I've got a Mills bimini on my Montauk and almost never use it. I use the boat mainly for fishing and there are at least two, usually three, and sometimes four fishing out of her. When the top is up it is just in the way. I rely on sunscreen for sun protection and raingear to keep me dry.
skred	posted 11-06-2002 08:03 AM ET (US) I used a bimini on my 15 - and it does get in the way when fishing, but sure is appreciated in bright sunlight. I strongly recommend staying away from the dark-colored fabrics, though: with no breeze that top acts like a heat radiator. I know Mills' are generally blue, but I'd opt for either white or light gray if I could.
ratherwhalering	posted 11-06-2002 12:39 PM ET (US) The nice part about the bimini is that it is completely removable. I think the boat looks more civilized with it up, too. I leave it at home when fishing, but put it on when crusing in the California delta. It is a lifesaver in the heat, not to mention the protection it gives the console, cooler and seat... Hey, that rhymes.
Jimm	posted 11-06-2002 02:31 PM ET (US) skred posted...."I strongly recommend staying away from the dark-colored fabrics, though: with no breeze that top acts like a heat radiator. I know Mills' are generally blue, but I'd opt for either white or light gray if I could." Mills will make it in any color that Sunbrella makes. You can go to www.sunbrella.com for the choices.
tabasco	posted 11-06-2002 04:27 PM ET (US) It's cheaper than skin cancer surgery.....if you order one make sure you get the struts so it can stand up over the RPS when not in use Ray
Dr T	posted 11-06-2002 04:48 PM ET (US) I took the one off the 13 when I refurbished it last year. My wife has been after me to put it back on (or get a new one). I particularly like the color of the one shown in Cetacea 65 (along with the other deck fittings). tds
etstmeb	posted 11-06-2002 06:53 PM ET (US) Bob, I fish the Delaware Bay with my 18 Outrage. As soon as I got it this past summer I ordered a custom bimini from American Canvas--any height--Iam tall so I ordered 2"above my height--and any length--I got a perfect fit for the width and 84" long--I love it--Ifishin the shade in the back and front of the boat--I would highly recommend it--adds to the enjoyment of the boat on those HOT days. Steve
etstmeb	posted 11-06-2002 06:53 PM ET (US) Bob, I fish the Delaware Bay with my 18 Outrage. As soon as I got it this past summer I ordered a custom bimini from American Canvas--any height--Iam tall so I ordered 2"above my height--and any length--I got a perfect fit for the width and 84" long--I love it--Ifishin the shade in the back and front of the boat--I would highly recommend it--adds to the enjoyment of the boat on those HOT days. Steve
where2	posted 11-11-2002 12:51 PM ET (US) Definitely go with the Bimini. Set it up on a sliding track, and use adjustable pole supports at the rear to increase the versatility. With mine, I can either leave it lying down, raise it on the adjustable pole supports and leave the boot on it like a little radar arch, or open it up to make shade. In Florida, buying a boat without a bimini is like asking for skin cancer... As for how low it is, it's only as low as you order it. Mine is mounted on the gunnel using 4' of track per side on a 15' Sport. I'm 6'1" and can stand under it as long as I am looking down. I wouldn't have bought a top I had to crouch under. (I don't like small tents either!) Most of the manufacturers make them with different length bows so you can usually get one with enough height to keep the top above your head without having to crouch.
GuyNole	posted 11-11-2002 07:55 PM ET (US) tabasco and where2 both mentioned the "braces" to make it stand up with the boot on. What is the advantage of this set up. I have a 2000 Montauk w/Mills top and don't have the rear polls. What am I missing. Mine either stays down in the boot on the bow or up. What else is their? I live in Orlando, and don't use it that often, but when cruising it is nice.
tabasco	posted 11-11-2002 08:55 PM ET (US) Mine Bimini came from the factory and I hated it. Up was nice when you wanted it up but down it would lay on the rear quarter seats.I called Mills and they made me two rear struts which when its not in use is out of the way standing above the RPS seat. My understanding is that the factory picked up on my complaints and all the new factory bimini's come with the rear struts. Ray
tabasco	posted 11-12-2002 07:14 AM ET (US) Sorry typo.......My bimini
where2	posted 11-13-2002 12:51 PM ET (US) The advantage is mostly as tobasco describes. You can leave the bimini up off the deck where it's not pounding the gelcoat, and not in your way moving around the boat. When you're fishing, you'd probably want it stowed down out of the way. Another advantage is that there are two less ropes/straps to mess with and fewer eyelets mounted to the deck. My support poles look exactly like the "Taylor Adjustable Boat Cover Support Pole", to which I added external eye end fittings. To mount one end to the deck, I used a "Deck Hinge" to mount the other end to the bimini, I used a "Jaw Slide". I used adjustable length support poles because I used a sliding track mount for the bimini. You couldn't sell me a set of fixed length support poles, and I wouldn't mount a bimini without using an adjustable track. Obviously, I need to get the digital camera out and shoot more pictures of the boat...