Bimini top for a 22' cruiser

[Big Mac]

I talked to Dave from King Marine the other day about a bimini top for the Mary Ellen. He told me it would be no problem. I asked about stainless bows and also a zipper at the front cabin so it could be partially unzipped for easier boarding. He said that is now standard as well as a travel boot and metal supports that go to the stern when traveling with the bimini rolled up. He said it looks like a radar arch. Does anyone have one of these setups on a 22' and do you like it? Pics would be great. Thanks in advance for any posts, Big Mac.

[C-batical]

Mac:

See picture #5 in my photo album. This shows the top being stored in the up position. I usually have it stored across the transom, however. I just find it easier to fish that way. Either way is acceptable.

Best regards,
Rollie/C-Batical

[Island Ranger]

We had Dave install the camper back enclosure on Two Lucky Fish a couple months ago. We opted to upgrade to stainless, and added the privacy curtains that velcro in place. Yes, it attaches to the cabin top via zippers and velco- one for each side - to make access easier.

I know the canvas riggers make an even more deluxe version (9 panels instead of 4), but the wait is way too long, and the price is more than double.

We are very pleased with ours.. sorry, don't have any pictures but if you are coming to Sequim, you can see it there.
Mac

[Sealife]

Sealife has the new bimini setup and it's not an ideal setup, in my humble opinion. It's the only regret I have with my new boat, that I didn't take the time to meet face to face with Dave and nail down exactly how it would be configured. The way it attaches to the cabin top is ok, but the way it stows aft on supports is not good for trailering, because it has some side to side movement, which rubs on the canvas. That can quickly result in wear and even holes. The vertical supports also interfere with line handling and fishing. The supports are screwed into the inboard sides of the gunwales, robbing several inches of width. On my old Sealife, the supports were mounted on top of the gunwales, making them wide enough to allow them to lay forward on the cabin top. Of course with a rear mounted radar arch, that stowing option is not possible either. I'm also not a fan of the tensioning method used with this system. We all know that canvas stretches. In order to get the canvas tight, you have to use a screwdriver to loosen and tighten the bow, then re-adjust it after a while when the canvas stretches. On my old Sealife, simply pulling on two strap buckles did the job. Rather than deal with the line handling frustrations, etc., the bimini now resides in my garage until needed for an overnighter.

Mike - Sealife

[Sealife]

Here's a link to my new Sealife that shows the bimini.
http://groups.msn.com/CDoryOwnersGroup/sealife.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=2985

If you look at the previous photo also, you'll see how the factory rigged it for trailering from Seattle to L.A. They fastened it upright with heavy duty wire ties to the radar arch.

[Jazzmanic]

I agree with many of the points Mike made. We had the full meal deal installed on our boat back in May. The camperback with 11 panels and inside privacy curtains. We took down the camperback immediately because we found (like Mike) that the supports interfered with the line handling and we could also imagine them getting in the way when we fish. Because of the way the top attaches to the cabin, we also realized that we couldn't stow fishing rods on a rack mounted to the bulkhead unless we broke down the rods and stowed them in two pieces.

The Canvas Riggers did a really good job, very detailed and precise, but they do require your boat be in their shop for two weeks and as Mac said, they are more expensive than King Marine. We're also waiting for colder weather to actually try to use the camperback. We have used the top a couple of times when it rained. In the meantime, we have stowed the support bars against the bulkhead and bungied the bars to the grab handles on the bulkhead. Here's a picture.



Overall, the jurys out on whether we really needed to buy the camperback given how we want to use the boat. But if you use the boat purely for cruising and you boat all year around, it's great to have.

Peter

[Sealife]

Peter,

I failed to mention that I had ordered the camper back also, as well as the privacy covers for the windows. Because of the motor well rail, the camper back did not fit, so I sent it back. It was supposed to have windows of mesh, rather than Isenglas, with drop down curtains for privacy. They forgot the drop down curtains. I think I can do without the camper back, but if I decide to add it, my local canvas people can do it. The window covers were a mess. Rear bulkhead window covers were ok, but the side windows only had a snap at the aft end, and velcro attachment for the forward end. Problem was, the velcro that was attached to the window frame was put on with silicone sealant which melted, and the velcros fell off (before I even picked up the boat at the factory). The cover for the windshield goes on the outside (a pain) and had to be sent to me later because the factory installed my windshield wipers on the top (a plus - no interference with the compass) instead of at the bottom, as they had in the past. The canvas guy didn't know this, and had to remake it. My local canvas company is going to rework the side covers with snaps (at King Canvas' expense).

[C-Hawk]

Mike,
I tried to tell ya--- if you want the canvas done right, get Peggy to do it.
I love the job she did for Fishtales. Full set of window covers on the inside of the cabin- both mesh and solid. Full camper back- extending all the way back to the stern. Mesh windows in the side and rear panels with drop covers. Zip attachment to the cabin from both sides- very easy to access from either side at the dock, just unzip the top and fold it under to the stainless bow and unzip the side and fold it back to snap in place out of the way. I have access to the lazerettes without removing the canvas. Quick release mounts to the gunnel, I stow the canvas up against the cabin and use the straps to tie it to the handles. I stow the side and rear panels in the zip carry bag she made for them.
And PJ just loves the sofa she made in the cabin.

I will say that she needs to do a little rework on SEA3PO--- she did not have access to the boat while making the canvas. We store our boat next door to her and I gave her a key to the boat, so she was able to double check her measurements as she was working.

I talked with King up in Seattle, too. I did not want a cookie cutter set of canvas. Something like this needs to be fabricated for the boat .

[Island Ranger]

Hi Peter & C-Dancer -

I really like the forward mounting of the bimini cover to keep it outta the way for fishing. Did you add them yourselves (if so, where did you get the parts?) or did Canvas Riggers do it?

Thanks,
mac

[Sealife]

Yeah, yeah, Roger, I know you told me so. But I use the top so infrequently, I just didn't want to spend a fortune on it. As it turns out, I find the cabin so much larger than on my old Angler, and with the window provacy covers, I don't really need the extra camper back at all. I really would only have use for it once or twice a year. Of a more pressing problem, is the position of the stowed bimini. With the rear placement of the radar arch with rod holders, it can't stow like yours, or like my old one did. So I just removed the whole @@##XX thing, and it sits in my garage until needed. BTW, one other thing about the King Canvas deal.....all the canvas parts came in a black garbage bag. Very uncool!

[Jazzmanic]

Hi Mac,

Yes, the Canvas Riggers installed the forward mounts. I was going to ask them to do so after seeing John F's installation but they had already planned to add them. I guess those mounts are standard for them.

Sorry we'll miss everybody at Sequim, we have out of town visitors. Maybe next year!

Peter