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Old 07-03-2019, 02:57 PM   #1
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Thumbs up Bimini top forget the Sunbrella?

I saw a post about this and just received a quote, here's an example


For a 8'X6' top under $600


check this out Home | Hard To Top


One poster here said it help up in 80mph winds


A canvas shop wanted about the same money, but as we all know they don't last






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Old 07-04-2019, 05:37 AM   #2
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While our aft deck is larger than most , we found a $60. 10x10 folding yard shade fits well, and lasts a surprisingly long time.

Less than the price of sales tax on other systems.

There are higher quality , different sized sun covers , that might be adopted to boat use.

When not in need of a large shaded area ,a crank out yard umbrella is at least 6 ft in diameter and sets up rapidly.
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Old 07-04-2019, 06:52 AM   #3
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lipets: so you used the same frame you always used for your bimini?
What are your plans during a hurricane or heavy storm?
Does it remove "easily"?

Do you plan to attach side panels? How would that go?

I like your idea....

FF:
Can you send a pic of that folding yard shade....I would like to see it and know how it might attach to the boat so it does not blow off.

Thanks.

I love out of the box ideas!

Tim
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Old 07-04-2019, 11:43 AM   #4
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Those panels are Coroplast corrugated plastic sign panels. They can be gotten in colors and also clear which it is but is wavy when looking through it. The channel is aluminum h channel or divider.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coroplas...6-10/202489118


The H or h channel/divider comes in various sizes and styles. They can be had in aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, even in zinc coated and plain steel.


https://eagle-aluminum.com/shop/cove...-316-material/
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Old 07-04-2019, 11:56 AM   #5
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"Can you send a pic of that folding yard shade....I would like to see it and know how it might attach to the boat so it does not blow off."

Lash it to cleats. Here is a few dozen for ideas.

"https://www.amazon.com/Canopies-Portable-Gazebos-Pergolas/s?rh=n%3A3742571%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2830876011'
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Old 07-04-2019, 12:03 PM   #6
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Quote:
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"Can you send a pic of that folding yard shade....I would like to see it and know how it might attach to the boat so it does not blow off."

Lash it to cleats. Here is a few dozen for ideas.

"https://www.amazon.com/Canopies-Portable-Gazebos-Pergolas/s?rh=n%3A3742571%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2830876011'



Thanks FF. I got the link to work finally and reposted it.


They are kind of heavy but that won't matter to most cruisers. The framing is usually painted or powder coated steel. Cheap canvas or nylon with water proofing. Yeah, they should last a good many years. You could buy several and still not hit the cost of a full custom bimini. I would add pool noodles or pipe insulation to the legs to keep from scratching the boat up.


https://www.amazon.com/Canopies-Port...language=en_US
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Old 07-04-2019, 12:11 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by ben2go View Post
Those panels are Coroplast corrugated plastic sign panels. They can be gotten in colors and also clear which it is but is wavy when looking through it. The channel is aluminum h channel or divider.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coroplas...6-10/202489118


The H or h channel/divider comes in various sizes and styles. They can be had in aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, even in zinc coated and plain steel.


https://eagle-aluminum.com/shop/cove...-316-material/

Great information. It does give me some ideas...
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Old 07-04-2019, 12:16 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by kokopelliTim View Post
lipets: so you used the same frame you always used for your bimini?
What are your plans during a hurricane or heavy storm?
Does it remove "easily"?

Do you plan to attach side panels? How would that go?

Tim not my boat just looking into it.
I want a stable base to mount Solar panels without having canvas blowing around under the panels


So I was going to fab a fiberglass panel but that adds a little more weight that I want in addition to two 36lb solar panels.


So some here tried this and I like the idea


You can add side curtains with the Keder alum or plastic pieces.


https://www.sailrite.com/How-to-Bend...ng-Track-Video

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Old 07-04-2019, 12:20 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by ben2go View Post
Those panels are Coroplast corrugated plastic sign panels. They can be gotten in colors and also clear which it is but is wavy when looking through it. The channel is aluminum h channel or divider.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coroplas...6-10/202489118


The H or h channel/divider comes in various sizes and styles. They can be had in aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, even in zinc coated and plain steel.


https://eagle-aluminum.com/shop/cove...-316-material/

Great find IF Coroplast is the same as Polycarbonate


Big IF, trying to look it up.


the aluminum will work just fine
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Old 07-04-2019, 01:46 PM   #10
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I have a hardtotop on my current boat and also on a previous boat. They are really easy to install. The company is sometimes difficult to contact but I have found them responsive when I call them. I have had 50+ MPH winds and had no problems with them. They have a 10 warranty. I really like the keder strips on the bottom of the hardtop as it make it easy to fabricate the side curtains. On my current boat I had a company in Cape May, NJ fabricate EZ2CY panels for the front and the first panel on each side from patterns I made and sent to them. The visibility is great through the EZ2CY panels. I made the rest of the enclosure myself. This photo is before I made the new enclosure for the sundeck.
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Old 07-04-2019, 01:51 PM   #11
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Thumbs up

Looks great!!
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Old 07-04-2019, 02:09 PM   #12
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Plus the flybridge is our only helm station and I like the fact that I don’t get any more leaking like I did with the soft top.
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Old 07-05-2019, 11:27 AM   #13
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Great information. It does give me some ideas...








Quote:
Originally Posted by lipets View Post
Great find IF Coroplast is the same as Polycarbonate


Big IF, trying to look it up.


the aluminum will work just fine



I didn't read the polycabrbonate statement on their site. I'll reread and see if I can find a source.
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Old 07-05-2019, 11:29 AM   #14
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Found it. Don't know how I missed it on the HardTop website but here's a source. Polycarbonate is a bit stiffer than Coroplast panels.


The Polycarbonate Store | Polycarbonate Panels | Building Materials
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Old 07-06-2019, 09:40 AM   #15
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Great tops easy to install. Price for top was less than two qoutes I recieved for canvas. I have been in a few blows with it down in the keys no problem.

Was going to add a few photos but the window you place the link in just flashes on the screen and disappears.

https://scorpion.smugmug.com/Jeanneau-43DS/i-ZPpvLB4

https://scorpion.smugmug.com/Jeanneau-43DS/i-5hrSHfc
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Old 07-12-2019, 01:20 PM   #16
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Great information. It does give me some ideas...
Awesome Idea.... I wonder though if it stops the harmful rays of the sun from getting through to damage your skin and your upholstery?

Im in South Florida and we are always concerned about that.
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Old 07-12-2019, 03:41 PM   #17
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Awesome Idea.... I wonder though if it stops the harmful rays of the sun from getting through to damage your skin and your upholstery?

Im in South Florida and we are always concerned about that.
I believe they are UV resistant and I think they block the UV from getting to you. I lived in Tucson AZ for 30 years and have had about 20 surgeries and countless areas burned off so I am also concerned about skin cancer. So far I have never gotten sunburnt under the hardtop.
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Old 07-13-2019, 03:35 PM   #18
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bit of an airfoil I would think
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Old 07-13-2019, 04:06 PM   #19
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We have not noticed any airfoil effect on either of the 2 boats we have put one on. Not saying it cannot happen, just that we have not seen it happen.
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Old 07-13-2019, 06:06 PM   #20
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Has anyone experience with mounting PV panels on Hard To Top’s?
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