The only GD way I'm getting photos onto this forum today is by putting them in an "ideabook", hope this link works, or click my username, or some cripe(?!?) to see them:
https://www.iboats.com/ideabook/bimini
The bimini kit itself was about $150. Altogether this project ran me $350-$400, depending how you count the costs (I already had some stuff around, like the Starboard for blocks, read on...). Most stuff got from EBAY, some from amazon, some from boltdepot.com, some local HW store, some from right here on iBoats store.
One of the pics shows the finished install, I modded the bimini to give me almost 8' underneath (you may not need all that) so I could stow rods, gaff, put up my console-top-mounted 4' antenna, etc. I made replacement support poles (longer) to do this, and in another pic you can see how I extended the "main hoop" poles using s.s. tubing, s.s. set-screw tubing joiners (and s.s. clamp-on jaw slides as a place to hold the support poles when stowed, and s.s. end-eyes with dual set screws). In another pic, you can see that I mounted the s.s. quick-pin deck mounts (they are cast with a 10 degree inward angle) pad eyes, and pin cables onto a block of starboard (thru-bolted thru the deck mounts, other items screwed to block); this was to minimize the number of screws needing sealing, as well as give a little "height" for the stowed support poles when "folded under" the main poles. Such blocks might also be useful on, say, an aluminum boat that maybe doesn't have that much gunwale width.
I also replaced the self-tapping screws attaching the nylon jaw slides to the aluminum tubing with countersink rivets...way more secure!
This install does mix stainless and aluminum, but this boat is a "trailer queen" and gets rinsed well after each salt trip. Last boat had a similarly constructed mixed metals top and lasted 15 years...though it came with higher quality bimini fabric. This is a bimini cheap enough that if it tatters in 5 yrs, I'll just get another one (or perhaps a better one) and all the "hard part" is already done.
EDIT: Tested that install this last Sunday up to 35mph, a slight side-to-side "wiggle" but no significant problems.
EDIT 2: Not well-shown in photos, but underneath the rolled-up cover on the bow are another set of blocks and deck mounts (non-angled, as these blocks are closer together abeam); this whole top can be moved to a "forward" mounting position that shades the entire bow area, for when the wife and kids just wanna sit and chat, and I wanna fish off the back.
EDIT 3: Note that this top is installed "backwards" from what you normally see. Typically folks put the support poles in the back and stow the top rearward (i.e., lay down toward the transom). The way I installed it, it lays down toward the bow. That does block my anchor locker, but I can stow it forward, upright on the support poles (but still zipped up and "not opened") to solve that problem...I tested that to 45mph.
