Bimini Top Install- fit under snap cover?? thinking not.. thoughts

[Starcraft5834]

I'd like some input on this.. was thinking of installing a Bimini top on my cuddy, I also have a snap cover that fits nicely and I use in transit and storage. was thinking installation of bimini hardware and poles that lay down will prevent further use of snap cover.. anyone run into this? do the poles lay on top of the side gunnel/rail, or do the poles lay on the inside edge of the gunnel/rail?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Bimini Top Install- fit under snap cover?? thinking not.. thoughts

Most of the cockpit covers that allow bimini's have a cut-out for the poles to leave the Bimini up.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Bimini Top Install- fit under snap cover?? thinking not.. thoughts

I installed my bimini so its attachment points are outside the area covered by the snap-on top. The cockpit cover can be on the boat when the bimini is open or closed; sometimes, I'll even lay the folded bimini down on top of the cockpit cover when I store it in the garage.

I don't travel with the boat covered, so I just fold the bimini, put its boot on, and lay it down when on the highway.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Bimini Top Install- fit under snap cover?? thinking not.. thoughts

my snaps are over the side of the gunnel, up around the windshield,, complete cover from windsheild to stern. since Bimini sits on on top of gunnel rail when folded down, might not fit... although the pole when not extended does leave some room.......have to contact maker of Bimini's to see how big the poles are.......

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bimini Top Install- fit under snap cover?? thinking not.. thoughts

My boat is always covered and the top is always on (not always up, though). The cover fits nicely over the top.

However,.....the cover was made after the top and it was designed to fit it. I did add a few other things later on, such as a horn and a few rod holders, and the cover had enough room to accomodate them. That'll probably be different in every case.

If you put the top up and fit the cover around the rods I would guess that in 50% of the cases you'll leak at that spot.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Bimini Top Install- fit under snap cover?? thinking not.. thoughts

Get a custom fit bimini for your boat, not an "off the shelf" one. They can build it so the mounting hardware is inside the gunwales, on top of them, or outside the boat. If needed, they can modify your current cover to work around the poles. Price isn't that much more for a custom top. Even less if you factor in that you won't have to get a new cover made to go around the bimini.