Replacement Canvas

[Turner]

Couldn't find a Bimini top section for posting this but we need a Bimini top for our 30' Sundowner. Having trouble finding one 10'4" wide. Anyone have a company you could refer me to? Thanks.

 

[Comodave]

Are you referring to the frame or the canvas? I would look for a local fabricator to make it. One that wide will probably need to be 1 1/4” frame to be strong enough.

 

[Turner]

I need both frame and canvas. I was quoted $2,200 from a place in South Florida, sounded pretty high for a 10' × 8' Bimini, so I turned to the knowledgeable Trawler Forum members for direction!

 

[Comodave]

That quote doesn’t sound too bad depending on the material they are going to use. Have you looked at putting a hardtop on instead of canvas?

 

[Turner]

We have considered a hard top but thought they would be more expensive. You mentioned that the quote didn't sound too bad, that's the kind of information we need, we had no clue as to how much they cost. We don't mind spending that amount if that's the going price. I will check out prices on hard tops, thanks for your input.

 

[Pack Mule]

I 2nd the hardtop. I’ve had both and the hardtop is way cooler and dryer than canvas, plus if it’s built strong enough you can store some light weight stuff on top .

 

[BandB]

We have considered a hard top but thought they would be more expensive. You mentioned that the quote didn't sound too bad, that's the kind of information we need, we had no clue as to how much they cost. We don't mind spending that amount if that's the going price. I will check out prices on hard tops, thanks for your input.

I'd consider the hardtop route but that quote on the bimini sounds low to me. I'd double check the materials. I've seen stainless steel up to $10,000. I would have expected at least $3000-4000 on yours.

 

[Turner]

Good points, I'll check them out. Thanks

 

[healhustler]

Turner: Before making a decision, I’d call Marine Liquidators in Ft. Pierce, FL. My last trip over there, they had dozens of clean take-offs and factory close-outs in lots of colors. Your size is not that rare.

 

[Mrwesson]

Turner: Before making a decision, I’d call Marine Liquidators in Ft. Pierce, FL. My last trip over there, they had dozens of clean take-offs and factory close-outs in lots of colors. Your size is not that rare.

I agree with this. It's much easier to modify an existing top to fit rather than creating one from scratch.

Another thing to look out for is boats in terrible shape being sold for next to nothing on craigslist. They are typically non running and @ anchor BUT the owners are usually willing to sell parts off of them.

Couple of examples
Lots of framework but no canvas. Selling boat for 1200 so i'm sure it'd be cheap.
https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/boa/d/31-8-foot-1986-wellcraft-with-twin-305/6863294542.html

Nice arch to build off of.
https://pensacola.craigslist.org/boa/d/fort-walton-beach-36-carver-mariner/6868843546.html

 

[SeaBreeze]

Northstar Products is a great company to use. You can access them online and order or call them. They have stock and custom work. I ordered two different ones from them and they built them and shipped them within a week. They have very good prices and stand behind their work. In one case I sent them my old canvas from my custom awning and they duplicated it. Northstarproductsinc.com

 

[menzies]

On mobile so can't see your location - where are you?

 

[BandB]

On mobile so can't see your location - where are you?

He's in Biloxi.

 

[Turner]

Yes, we are in Biloxi, Ms.

 

[Turner]

Northstar Products is a great company to use. You can access them online and order or call them. They have stock and custom work. I ordered two different ones from them and they built them and shipped them within a week. They have very good prices and stand behind their work. In one case I sent them my old canvas from my custom awning and they duplicated it. Northstarproductsinc.com

I just emailed them the specs of what we need. Thanks for the referral.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Turner - Call Andy at Northstar. he is the guy to talk to and will talk through any thing special you need. He is a great guy and very fair. His number is (419) 382-8450. Feel free to tell him Jeff Duncan referred you. Good luck.

 

[Turner]

Will do, thanks

 

[Turner]

Will do, thanks

Just called him, $1,100 cheaper than the other quote I received! Thanks for the referral!

 

[tn6437]

canvas related question, I have been thinking about bunting the rear of the flybridge and the sundeck. saw a few boats with hard plastic/fiberglass panels in those areas. wondering where you get those solid ones...

 

[HopCar]

Be sure to ask them to use UV resistant thread when they sew it. It’s probably standard now, but it wasn’t when I bought my first Bimini. I deal with American Marine Coverings here in Miami.

Isn’t there a canvas shop near you? The shipping on a Bimini frame must be expensive.

 

[Comodave]

Don’t ask for UV resistant thread, demand Tenara thread. The overall cost differential will not be over $100 but the thread will last the lifetime of the fabric.

 

[Cheechako]

Turner:


I bought a Canvas Bimini for my 40 foot trawler from CoverQuest.com. I believe I paid about $1,200 for the whole kit (canvas and hardware), plus a small extra for the stainless steel rail mounts.


https://www.coverquest.com/


From their home page, click on "Bimini Tops" icon and look for the "Find Bimini Tops by Dimensions" icon. Their widest offering is 103 inches, but my boat, like yours, is 104 inches wide (measured at the flying bridge rails). I contacted them by email and they assured me that it would fit 104 inches because the tubing will have enough flex for the extra 1/2 inch per side (see below). Their customer service has been outstanding.

Below is a cut/paste from their email addressing this question, as well as information on attaching the Bimini to the top rails using the (optional) SS hinged jaw slides. (If you need 1" diameter slides, they are available through other vendors).

You can in fact mount this top at a width of 104", an inch wider than its intended mounting width of 103". This will simply spread the tops legs out a bit further, at its base. The bimini tops come with standard deck mounting hardware, which is flat on the bottom. If you would like to clamp the top on to a railing, you could use something like our hinged jaw slide, so long as your rail has a diameter of 7/8". You would need 4 of these if you intend to mount both the top and its brace kit to the railing. Here is a link:

Bimini Top Hardware - Hinged Jaw Slide

 

[Bigal6030]

I’ll be needing a new frame and some canvass as well after a collision with a low bridge yesterday. ��