posted 09-03-2003 08:31 PM ET (US)        

They arrived today and I thought they would be close to matching the Mills factory bimini I already have. The side curtains seem like they belong on a longer bimini the front and back seem to match the width but have a split zipper where my Mills top has a single zipper going all the way across. The canvas is in very good condition but I am not sure if this is original Whaler canvas as it does not have any label what so ever. The buttons are SS and have (pull on dot) imprinted on them. Anyone know which model this comes off of?

I am thinking with the side curtains being a bit too long I could have the seamstress cut them and make them fit. Not sure how and where the snaps are supposed to go? I was thinking about having the front window come forward on an angle and have a strip of reinforcement canvas sewn in and install 3 or 4 grommets and attach them to the bow rail or some sort of clip using custom cut bungee cords.

Anyone w/ any information or pictures of what the canvas is supposed to look like? My goal is to have some protection from the weather. I am not concerned about maintaining the “original” canvas specifications. I am lucky enough to have a wife to help out w/ the sewing.

Oh yea after looking at my bimini it appears to be backwards is it?

I bought some camper canvas pieces on e-bay. The listing said they were for a 17’ 1973 Bass Model. Front, back and side curtains, stating they were complete, FACTORY ORIGINAL, practically unused and in MINT condition.

They arrived today and I thought they would be close to matching the Mills factory bimini I already have. The side curtains seem like they belong on a longer bimini the front and back seem to match the width but have a split zipper where my Mills top has a single zipper going all the way across. The canvas is in very good condition but I am not sure if this is original Whaler canvas as it does not have any label what so ever. The buttons are SS and have (pull on dot) imprinted on them. Anyone know which model this comes off of?

I am thinking with the side curtains being a bit too long I could have the seamstress cut them and make them fit. Not sure how and where the snaps are supposed to go? I was thinking about having the front window come forward on an angle and have a strip of reinforcement canvas sewn in and install 3 or 4 grommets and attach them to the bow rail or some sort of clip using custom cut bungee cords.

Anyone w/ any information or pictures of what the canvas is supposed to look like? My goal is to have some protection from the weather. I am not concerned about maintaining the “original” canvas specifications. I am lucky enough to have a wife to help out w/ the sewing.

Oh yea after looking at my bimini it appears to be backwards is it?

http://capital.net/~sean/whaler/

Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks

Sean

Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks

posted 09-03-2003 08:38 PM ET (US)            

yep, backwards.

posted 09-03-2003 08:44 PM ET (US)            

This does not appear to be a an OEM canvas system - The white canvas on the aft curtain gives it away (or at least it is not part of the same, original set) - Mills does make the system in different colors than the pacific blue, but I believe the aft curtain has much more canvas on it in the Mills system.

The Bimini is on backwards - that might help you sort things out before you begin changing anything else. Hope that begins to help...there are much more experienced Mills "experts" who can take it from there.

posted 09-03-2003 10:51 PM ET (US)            

I just went through all my canvas option drawings and don't have any detailed drawings. I would suggest to contact the Mills Canvas Co at www.millscanvas.com I think.

posted 09-04-2003 04:09 PM ET (US)         

I would check the Catalog CD for configuarations of the canvas during those years.

If you have a true Mills Sun Top on your boat right now, there is no matching canvas to go with it by Mills. If you have the Mills Flying Top (shorter in length), then the windshield will fit to the Forward Shelter, and side and rear curtails will attach to the Flying Top.