posted 12-07-2003 08:28 AM ET (US)            

Most bimini's go over the console. It all depends on how you would want it. What kind of Whaler do you have? How are the rails on it? all these factors come in to play when you are going to install a bimini. You want minimal swaying and bagginess. You want to make sure that you have that bimini screaming tight becuase Sunbrella fabric has a 2-3% expansion factor. If you make the top drum tight, and you are basically able to bounce a 10lb. weight on it, then it will slack out so that its easy to put on.

Please let me know how your BW is set up so I can give you further information. I have pictures of mine if you have a Montauk.

posted 12-07-2003 01:15 PM ET (US)            

What you want is an enclosure. Depends on which type of glass you want too. You could have anything from 30 gauge to Strata-Glass which is the good stuff. An enclosure wouldn't be too hard to put on that boat.

I have white on my boat, I am going to put an enclosure on her over winter.

I have all Thick-walled Stainless on my boat, I have no straps to secure it. Its all tubing. This way you don't get any swaying action.

Also I have mine mounted to the side rails, which is the most secure place. Because if you mount it to the fiberglass, with you running and pounding waves, it will pull it out which is not good.

I anchored my top with Stainless pop-rivits and 1/4 20 Stainless bolts with locking nuts. I made them super tight but not so tight that you kink the stainless.

It can be done. Where do you live? You want to make sure that you crank that top down so that it can go through a hurricane and have no problems. Thanks Bob!

posted 12-07-2003 03:48 PM ET (US)            

Check out www.millscanvas.com . (Mills Canvas has been the OEM canvas supplier for Whaler for a long time.)

Tell them exactly what you want - they can quote you a fair price on high-quality canvas work - if you're not looking for the complete Mills Canvas system (seen on Cetecea) with the forward shelter, windshield, flying top, side curtains and aft curtain, they may be able to custom make exactly what you are looking for (i.e. a small covered area in the center of the boat.(?))

I think you will be happy with the quality of workmanship and the comfort that the Mills system provides.

By the way - they have a suntop for your model on Clearance (as of December 3, 2003).

Hope that helps.

Dave

posted 12-07-2003 04:25 PM ET (US)            

Mill's Canvas is acceptable, however, if you want a good tight custom fit, it is best that you go to a local canvas shop.
Honestly, all Mill's canvas is, is that it is patterns of canvas that is cut, and sewn together. Personally, I wouldn't think twice about Mill's Canvas, Although it will get you by until you would like to go to a local canvas shop. I will e-mail you a picture of my montauk to further exemplify my statement. Thank you

posted 12-07-2003 05:20 PM ET (US)            

All due respect, however I have seen "quality" local canvas work literally docked side by side to a boat equipped with the full Mills system, and I stand by my advice as the best place to start a search for any canvas rigging options for any Whaler.

OEM carries with it privileges and responsibilities - privileges of access to factory specifications and responsibilities to deliver quality and workmanship appropriate to the product to which it is to be applied.

Why wouldn't you "think twice" about a product that was made specifically to fit your boat, but prefer to go to someone who is a generalist and makes canvas for hundreds of different boats as customer's needs dictate? It is like suggesting someone with cancer see his GP to find out what the best treatment option is - sure the GP is local, and knows you - but I'd rather go to a specialist.

Bob -

I'm sure you already realize this, but for repetition sake, and for the sake of new members to this site: Take all advice given with a grain of salt - consider the source - read past posts from people before you make an expensive decision based on advice of strangers. (That goes for posts/advice from me too!).

I suggest speaking with Mills - either for a solution from them, or for suggestions for local shops in your area that can help you with a system you are looking for.

I also respectfully suggest that you contact persons on this site who may respond moving forward (or have posted responses to similar topics in the past) about their experiences with Mills Canvas and other canvas makers, respectively.

A general observation: Mills is a bit pricey, however most people who own and use the system on their boats are extremely happy. In my opinion, if Mills has a pattern for your boat, you can't do any better in terms of quality and longevity (with proper care).

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000029.html
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/cetaceaPage11.html
This is a great one that speaks to the customer experience at Mills:(by the way - I echo similar sentiments when I purchased my mooring cover from them last February)
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000002.html
Here is a similar debate from two years ago, and relevant input from some well-respected forum members (including the founder and moderator). http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000150.html

Hope these links help - use the search function at the top of the page to conduct site searches. It takes some digging sometimes, but you can find so much information on this site, it can make your eyes water.

Best of luck in your search.

posted 12-07-2003 05:31 PM ET (US)            

To me, it sounded like you were suggesting that purchasing a Mills product amounted to a temporary measure, to which I would emphatically respond: "Rubbish! Mills makes a fine, quality product that will likely be sold with the boat when it comes time to buy a new Whaler. I could not disagree with your sentiments about their product more, sir."

posted 12-07-2003 07:02 PM ET (US)            

Thank you for your information. No need for any sort of confrentation. People have their opinions :-)

I just offered a custom canvas job because there are pro's and con's to both.

Mill's Pro:
1.) Its easier to put on becuase of the patterns that Mill's makes.

2.) Equal or cheaper to have Mills do it.

Mill's Con:
1.) Reinforcement might not hold up to certain types of wear & tear on the canvas. Depends on what and how hard the canvas is used (inside all the time VS outside all the time).

2.) Possibility of bad glass (eisenglass) or bagginess becuase of not the correct fit to the canvas

------
Although you have a point. Sometimes Mill's is better than what a regular canvas person might fabricate. I have seen some jobs turn out absolutely beautiful, other jobs by other canvas people, its like "That looks terrible". You have pro's and con's to both. Thanks for the information Buckda, once again, people have their own opinions :-D

posted 12-08-2003 02:45 PM ET (US)            

I Ordered a consol cover for my Nauset this fall. It fit very well but I felt it was too tight across the back of the fixed pilot seat and sent it back with a suggested measurment and it was returned in two weeks sized to a tee, their service is beyond reproach.

I just placed an order for a sun top w' boot cover and stainless frame that I saw in the overstocks section and saved over $300 off of their regular season cost. I feel confident the top will be equally well made as my other Mills products.

Bob it sounds like you need one of their Fly tops for your boat. It is shorter than the sun top and can accept side curtains if need be.

posted 12-08-2003 03:35 PM ET (US)            

There may be a few custom shops around the country that are as good as Mills at what they do, but I seriously doubt there are any that are appreciably better. And I can state unequivocally that there is *no* shop that has the history and experience with Boston Whalers that Mills does.

posted 12-08-2003 08:18 PM ET (US)            

The tops we're describing here do not fit "on" your center console; they attach to the gunwales of your boat, on either side of your center console. They fold up and depending upon the make and model, may slide forward once folded to be out of the way. The Mills flytop is shorter from front to back when flying than the suntop, which is more like what most people refer to as a bimini top. The flytop if one is available for your model of Whaler, has zippers and fasteners so a windshield (and forward shelter), side curtains and rear curtain , all custom fitted to your boat, can be attached.

If what you want is something that attaches to your console, then you are looking for a "T-top", not a bimini. That is a different thing altogether with a much more rigid and substantial frame than a bimini.

Here is Wm. J. Mills website (diamondjj, I think this *is* what he was looking for, even though he did not exactly say it).

posted 12-09-2003 08:21 AM ET (US)            

1.800.477.1535