Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

[Dante04SRT]

Our first time out with the 'new' boat we noticed a support ring on our bimini top broke - Its not the rod itself, but the support ring that the rod attaches to. It just crumbled apart. The only pic I have it this (It doesn't show the broken ring, just the rod):

Are these parts easily available or is this probably something to visit the dealer for? Do local places like WestMarine carry parts to fix this?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

iboats.com. any marine store.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Keep in mind that "Sunbrella" is a fabric brand. They do not make tops, just fabric. You MAY need to find out who actually makes your top, but many parts are generic a workable replacement can be purchased at any Marine store.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Keep in mind that "Sunbrella" is a fabric brand. They do not make tops, just fabric. You MAY need to find out who actually makes your top, but many parts are generic a workable replacement can be purchased at any Marine store.

Good point - I didn't realize that they just made the material. I see the part I need on iBoats... thanksl.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Looks like Taylor Made.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Yup, they're fairly generic. BTW, I just fixed mine 2 weeks ago. iboats.com has the best prices on the parts that I could find. Would've got them there but the $2.00 part had $22 in shipping/duties to Canada. Got them at a local boat dealer but if I was in the US, I'm pretty sure I'd be spending more $$$ with the iboats guys.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Picked up a new TaylorMade 7/8" slide jaw from WestMarine tonight... $20 freakin' bux!

Heavy tho - Felt solid.

I noticed 2 more are failing and will need replacement soon.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Sorry, of note mine are made of nylon not the SS ones so the costs are about 1/6 the cost of the stainless ones.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Sorry, of note mine are made of nylon not the SS ones so the costs are about 1/6 the cost of the stainless ones.

Any idea if I can swap over to nylon at some point? I'm hoping the dealer will provide the other 2 that are cracked, but if not, it may just be more cost effective to get nylon.

The boat came from FL and its in TN now so I don't think they'll fail anymore w/o anymore salty air, but who knows.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Sunbrella Bimini top parts??

Any idea if I can swap over to nylon at some point? I'm hoping the dealer will provide the other 2 that are cracked, but if not, it may just be more cost effective to get nylon.

The boat came from FL and its in TN now so I don't think they'll fail anymore w/o anymore salty air, but who knows.

I would think you could without any issues. Mine are all nylon 7/8" and are riveted to the bimini poles. I simply drilled it out (11/64" bit is the perfect size to drill out the rivets without enlarging the hole.) The new nylon ones have a single set screw in them that worked perfect and was good as new.

I did compare side by side at the boat shop, and they looked identical except for two things: materials and cost.

For comparison, I paid $5.99 (much cheaper on iboats) for 2 external eye 7/8" ends. The SS is around $15 for a single one so a substantial cost savings (and these are Canadian dollars)

iboats has the same 2 I bought for $1.86 for two. Might want to grab a couple of ends (looks like internal eye as you showed in your pic) and simply try them at a very inexpensive cost to experiment but I'd suspect they'd work fine.