Aluminum tubing for a new canvas soft top on a 1989 Starcraft Islander 221V

[rolmops]

It is time to get a fresh look on the old rig and part of it is replacing the canvas and the aluminum tubing that looks like it has been through a couple of hurricanes. It is mostly bent by moving under bridges that were lower than the last time I went under through them.
The problem is that the boat is about a 2 hour drive from my current house ,but I have to buy the aluminum now.
Does anybody know the exact width of the aluminum tubing? I can easily cut the length down to where I want it to get the right height for the top, but the width is a bit more tricky. Thank you for any advice.

 

[roscoe]

Do the 2 hour drive.
Take pen, paper, tape measure, and a friend to help.
Also use the measuring app on your cell phone.

 

[redneck joe]

Do the two hour drive and bring everything home. Proceed from there.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there are many many many diameters and wall thicknesses of aluminum and stainless tubing used in Bimini Tops.

there is NO standard.

for example, between the 3 top companies under the corporate umbrella and the one metals company, there are 11 different 1" diameter aluminum tubes available. since the bimini fittings are specific to the inner diameter in most cases, it matters.

tube OD's range in size from 3/4" to 1.130" with wall thicknesses between 0.049 and 0.130

make the drive.

I personally would go stainless.

 

[Pmt133]

My smaller bimini is aluminum and plastic fittings. Thats the one that's original to the boat. My bimini that I can stand under was made by a friend in all stainless. You need two people to put it on but its a damn nice piece. I'd take the weight hit for stainless any time.

Definitely go measure though. My original one used 2 different diameters of tubing.

 

[rolmops]

So I took your advice and then some.
Its going to be stainless and I convinced the tubing bender and the canvas maker lady to come to my boat together. We will meet , I'll show them the picture of what I want and with the help of my RMD (required minimum distribution) my soft top will be very nicely done. It will look like an Islander with Princecraft soft top.

 

[airshot]

It is time to get a fresh look on the old rig and part of it is replacing the canvas and the aluminum tubing that looks like it has been through a couple of hurricanes. It is mostly bent by moving under bridges that were lower than the last time I went under through them.
The problem is that the boat is about a 2 hour drive from my current house ,but I have to buy the aluminum now.
Does anybody know the exact width of the aluminum tubing? I can easily cut the length down to where I want it to get the right height for the top, but the width is a bit more tricky. Thank you for any advice.

Most mfgrs have a plus or minus 2" on the width as the tubing will spring in and out that much. Best option is to measure the width of the two mounting points to start. We can't see or measure your boat and our boats may have a different mounting point. Yep...time to go for a ride !

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would go longer on the main bow and intermediate bows. I would also sew in an isinglass panel just above the windshield (where your darker blue panel is). then you can actually stand and use it

 

[tphoyt]

Brilliant idea.

 

[redneck joe]

I would go longer on the main bow and intermediate bows. I would also sew in an isinglass panel just above the windshield (where your darker blue panel is). then you can actually stand and use it

What he said. I had it and if ever do it again I will do it again.

 

[rolmops]

I did seriously consider a window above the windshield, but this is an aluminum boat and it is laying high in the water. My worry is that a soft top that is too high will turn it into a big sail that will push the boat around. So there is that to consider. For now the roof if almost 7 foot above the deck

 

[airshot]

In my opinion the taller tops create far less shade, I cut mine down as low as possible to just be able to stand and end up with greater amounts of shade. Owned a bimini with a window on top and it acted like a magnifying glass in summer sun.....just food for thought.....