Need ideas for a DIY bimini top - Bow Rider Ski Boat

[kevinstan]

I have a 1985 Larson Senza ski boat. Walkthrough windshield / bowrider. When I got the boat it had no bimini top - And looks like a new one is a bit pricey. Any ideas for a simple DIY way to escape some sun? Any pictures of your own DIY projects for this would be awesome. I don't have the money to buy one, but would like a way to keep the wife and kids happy and let them get some relief from this hot Georgia heat while we are at the lake.

 

[lmuss53]

Ebay Bimini kit, around $100, will last several years. I have one on my 17 foot Sea Nymph and had one on my pontoon before I went with a hardtop.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIMINI-TOP-...ash=item3aa2b080e1:g:KaIAAOSwWTRW1hlt&vxp=mtr

DIY stuff will not hold up to much running speed at all. I have tried to put tarps on the pontoon boat for camping type enclosures and they will not stay on even at the 15 to 20 mph top speed for the pontoon.

We take the Sea Nymph to Erie for a Perch trip a few times a year and the $100 ebay top has held up fine for 3 years now.

 

[Bondo]

Any pictures of your own DIY projects for this would be awesome.

Ayuh,.... I built this one outa aluminum salvaged from a few dumpsters,.....

'n this is after I enclosed it for Fall fishin',....

 

[Scott Danforth]

I bought a bimini top on craigslist that was never used for cheap.

A new kit from iboats is pretty inexpensive

 

[MH Hawker]

and this may also help

http://www.search.alot.com/landing?...1077632&campid=340969842&agid=7999975616&vx=0

 

[airshot]

Not a do it yourself, however, I watched the closeout sales at Cabela's and got an 8' top for less than 200. Had it for 3+ years and still looks like new. Called sharkskin material and I have no complaints. I do take care of it, and it is stored in a boot and barn kept. When you do decide give serious consideration to a sliding rail to mount the base of the top. In this way you have the ability to slide the top forward or backward wherever it is needed. Also makes final positioning much easier just in case you missed the perfect location spot. I picked up the sliding rails at a garage sale for 15 bucks.

 

[no704]

I built a replacement bow for mine out of SS Dom tube with a conduit bender. You can buy all the hardware separate.

 

[On Holiday]

I added a bimini to my Sea Ray back in 2008. The top was purchased through Overtons and wasn't too bad of an install once you get past the fear of drilling holes into your fiberglass. One trick I learned for drilling holes is to start the hole by drilling in reverse until you get through the gel coat and then switching to forward.