190 MONTAUK: Purpose of Extra Bimini Top Ball-and-socket Deck Hinges

[Slacky Mac]

[On a boat later identified as a 2014 190 MONTAUK] there are extra Bimini Top ball-and-socket-type deck hinges on both gunwales just before the "bend" to the stern each are located on each gunwale.

Q1: what is the purpose of having extra Bimini Top ball-and-socket deck hinges [on a 2014 190 MONTAUK]?

Q2: what is the extra and really-desirable Bimini Top feature I do not have?

This extra set of hinge locations are not spaced to accommodate moving the existing Bimini top to a rearward mounting location. I can only surmise that they are there to accommodate an extra long Bimini top that has a extra support poles, but I have never seen one.

Right now, they are just toe stubbers, but they must have a generally acceptable purpose. They look factory installed, but I am the second owner.

[Jefecinco]

A photo would be helpful.

[jimh]

Remove the unnecessary fitting that are toe stubbers. Fill the fastener holes with some caulk whose color matched the gunwale color.