Bimini and other deck options

My boat came with a generic 3 arch bimini. It fits well. There is one pivot on each side and straps at the front and back with attach hooks. The bimini has a boot. The arches fold together and the boot zippers over the whole thing. When stowed the bimini swings forward and goes just over the cabin top and against the back end of the roof handrails. I lash the thing to the hand rails when towing or when cruising with the bimini stowed. Works fine for us.
 
Thanks for the alternate suggestion. I may go to that method. I had tried it some time ago but dismissed it because it ends up blocking my usual way in and out of the boat when trailering. But to the good, I wouldn't have to handle the bimini out of its mounts (which is a bit of a pain when solo, since I can't reach both ends at once, and the middle is way over my head) and the frame wouldn't need to be "cat's cradled." I'll try that again over the next couple of days to re-evaluate it.
 
I normally take the entire canvas off the frame. It only takes a few seconds to zip it off, and saves a lot of wear on the canvas. Only one time did I leave a canvas up with a boot Sunbrella cover over it (King Canvas), The boot began to fray where the edges were not properly sealed or bound.
One can also over wrap the canvas boot with a line. I do this on the Caracal, but the bimini with boot fits flush in back of the bow deck and no air drag. However it is not only prudent, but there will often be more air drag with the boot up there, even though you might think that the cabin gives some shelter--this is an area where there is a lot of air turbulence.

My opinion--short distance, low speeds, probably OK. Long distance, too much wear and risk.
 
Thanks for that. Actually, that's what first made me take it down (nothing like buying your boat and then your first tow being ~3,000 miles) - I was worried about it flapping and wearing up there in the breeze. It was only later I realized it would probably also be a bit much for the frame/mounts (although cat's cradling it with line stops the motion).

However, my bimini didn't have zippers, so the only way to remove it from the frame would have been to remove the foot ends and some of the brackets that are on the tubing, then slide it off. Unappealing. So that's when I started my habit of just taking the whole kit and caboodle down and stowing it (awkwardly) in the cockpit. But with the new, solid fuel tank covers I won't be able to put the legs into those "holes" anymore. So I experimented with a bunch of different ways.... none really seemed all that great... and I figured I'd see what others have done (seems like oftentimes other Brats come up with something I didn't even think of!).

Now, to add another "wrinkle," I want to get a boat cover, and so the canvas makers want to know how/where my bimini frame will go, and if the cover will need to accommodate it.
 
I take the Bimini off when the boat cover is in place. Since the aft support has quick release pins, and the main frame has one bolt (with plastic knob on the head) it is easy to take off. As for the canvas, have zippers put in. Most all of the Bimini's I own have had zippers for removal. (Probably the ones from "Taylor" or other prefab units don't have a zipper.
 
I felt best served by a custom-made bimini that offered full cockpit coverage (sides) yet could be easily detached and stored in the cockpit when not needed. Check out my album for pics and if you want to see the real thing contact Jerry on C-Nile (he bought my boat last year).
 
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