Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

[TexasX]

Has anyone done this switch or has seenone one done? I am considering replacing my bimini top with a fiberglass top, we we trully use our fish & ski as both, rather than just ski, especially during the fall and winter months.
If anyone has photos or links to a boat like this, please share.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[TexasX]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

TTT, anybody?

 

[TexasX]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

someone has had to have seen this or done this to a boat?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

I'm planning on building a hard top for mine.

Good examples of this online are few and hard to find. The main problems encountered are:

1) Fabricating the top to minimize weight
2) Bending/fabricating the tubing for support

I think maybe Bond-o here has done one?

I'm planning on doing mine out of poly resin and glass with a plywood core, and aluminum tubing for support. I have a TIG welder and a tubing bender (soon) in my shop.

Are you thinking of making this yourself?

Erik

 

[TexasX]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

Well, I am now considering converting my bimini top into a tee top (sort of) utilizing the bimini frame. I would add a few additional supports to the forward frame and change out the fabric top to a fabric styled tee-top so that rod holders could be added to the rear frame. your thoughts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

Ayuh,.......

I went with a Semi-Rigid design to keep the Weight down,.......

Base materials include parts of a R.R. Crossing pieces, Hospital Bed parts,+ Aluminum Conduit..............
The actual covering is a heavy weight vinyl/ polyester fabric....

 

[TexasX]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

Bond-O, you used everything but the kicthen sink to build that frame, looks good.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

I wonder if you could use one off of like an old hydroswift runabout and modify the frame to suit your needs? My dad had one about 35 years ago with a hard top it was way nice plus it had ski racks on top of it and would hold four skis. Just throwing ideas out there, might not work at all but never know. Or maybe an old cj-7 top with the sides cut off.

 

[cbdigh]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

What about using a wakeboard tower style frame to start with? that is what i planned to do to put a top on my dual console walk thru windshield bow rider fishing boat. (anyone know a more simple term to make that description shorter?)

 

[TexasX]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

What about using a wakeboard tower style frame to start with? that is what i planned to do to put a top on my dual console walk thru windshield bow rider fishing boat. (anyone know a more simple term to make that description shorter?)

Not a bad idea, but I am trying to stay on the low cost mind set, but again stability is a concern.

 

[crazyshady08884]

Re: Replace Bimini Top with Hard Top on a FIsh & Ski

http://biminitops.com.au/ Anyone ever see one of these? I am in the process of building one.