Bimini Top

toyman · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:46 am Post subject: Bimini Top

What size after market, ready made, off the shelf bimini is needed for a 25' ? I'm working on the purchase of a 25', it has no stern cover and I don't want to wait buy, or wait for a full enclosure yet. Not being near a boat I have no idea what to buy.

Thanks,

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:43 am Post subject:

I used a Taylor Bimini from West Marine on my 22 and now on my TC255. I like them. I think the 91-97" wide, 8' long and 54" high will fit fine. Hopefully someone with a 25 will chime in with the real measurements, but I think this will fit.

Charlie

Lucky Day · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject:

Dave W. -- thank you for posting the question. I too have been thinking about a Taylor bimini for my boat and would love to see a response from a C-Brat who has experience with one on a CD-25.

fisherkb · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

Charlie,

I like the look of your bimini on your 22. Do know the measurements or model number for the one you used? I have a 1989 22' cruiser

regards,

Karl

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject:

Karl, I'll look back and see if I can find the receipt. Don't have the boat any more. I'm sure it was the high one (54") and 8' long. Just measure the distance between the sides about mid way between the after end of the cabin and the beginning of the motor well. The tops give you 6" of slide leway.

Charlie

toyman · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

That was the size I was guessing, but wasn't to confident of the height. Hope some of the 25'er pop in.

thataway · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

I can measure my 25 next week. I would suggest a custom built top--in the long run it will be better. SS tubing lasts much better than aluminum tubing. You want to get Sunbrella, and can then add sides or net later. Plus if designed correctly, it can be attatched to the back of the cabin house, or left free standing, without the annoying straps, which come with many of the catalogue tops.

Hayesie Daze · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject:

Charlie,

Just curious how these Taylor Bimini tops have held up for you? Your photos show you moving at a pretty good clip with it up. While it not be a Sunbrella custom back, the $3000 price difference looks like it will be a good alternative for me right now...well for the boss at least. Thanks

Byron

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:09 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:27 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure where Charlie is shopping, but our full camper canvas, custom built--and it will be good for 10 to 11 years--cost $3600. This includes SeaMark--fully waterproof Sunbrella, and heavy SS fittings, fully self supporting--first photo is with the front element off, which zips open for access into the cockpit.
Second photo is full canvas (small side windows by choice--large aft clear vinyl)

Our feeling that in the long run that the custom gives a better product for about equal price over the years.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:21 pm Post subject:

Hey Bob, the $3K figure didn't come from me but from Byron. I don't have a clue as to what the SS ones cost, only that it't more. I do a lot of shopping at WM and any other internet store that has good prices. We're out in the boonies here (The nearest WMart is 20 miles away), WM a lot farther.

Charlie

thataway · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:46 pm Post subject:

My bad--I should have address that to Byron--sorry. I don't buy Bimini's at West or WalMart--not quite as far in the boonies--but sometimes it seems like it!

Looking at the Taylor Made site, they have 7/8 Aluminum tubing, 3 bows, with plastic fittings and straps for support--no Sunbrella--and the cost for Tom Cat size would be about $500. That seems to be what West Marine carries.

A full camper back adds a lot to the boat--and we keep our sides on year around. In the summer, some days the sides come off, but at night, it keeps the bugs away--and is still a another full room.

Certainly SS frame costs a few dollars more than Aluminum, but a good SS frame is good for the life of the boat. This includes SS fittings, which will not fail, as sometimes the plastic fittings do. The major cost in a camper back is the fitting of the sides, all of the zippers, windows etc--all labor costs. It makes no difference it the base is aluminum or SS frame. Same with sewing--no difference if cheaper material or Sunbrella SeaMark. So a few dollars more for materials is not much in the long run.

If you just want a sun shade, and are not going to use it full time, then the cheaper aluminum and other cloth will work fine.

Lucky Day · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:52 am Post subject:

Mindful of all the advantages to a setup like the one on Dr. Bob's and many other C-Brats boats, in some circumstances a budget bimini makes for the best option. Any CD-25 owners with a Taylor bimini that can comment on the size top they installed -- and how it has been to live with?

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:57 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:21 pm Post subject:

The Bimini which came with my Century is Sunbrella, but has 7/8" anodized aluminum tubing, the end fittings are SS and swaged in place. There are no plastic fittings, except the "keepers" to hold the support tubes when it is pulled up. Even though this boat had fallen 30 feet in when the dry stack blew down, there was no damage to the Bimnii (boat landed on its bottom). I acquired the boat a salvage auction.

In this specific boat, the Bimini is rolled up and in the boot 95 % of the time---only open on hot days, or if I am running in the rain.