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Boat covers are available for any size and style vessel:
Biminis are made of a variety materials including cotton duck, polyester and vinyl. To order a bimini you need the vessel measurements as well as the make, model, style and year of the boat. Remember the purpose of a bimini top when measuring the height. If a bimini top is mounted too high it will not block the sun or rain adequately. The top should be just high enough to stand under. The average bimini top stands about 5 feet from the floor of the
boat. But measure from the mounting point to the desired height
to determine the size for your vessel. The mounting brackets will be located about half way between the front and back of the vessel (the widest point). Measure the distance from each mount location to determine the width needed. Measure the distance from bow to stern to determine the length. Do not include the windshield and be sure to measure in the center of the boat. The type of fabric, the length of the bimini, the material of the support poles and the width of a vessel determine the price of a bimini top. Generally, you can equip a 20-foot vessel with a 5-foot bimini for less than $250. Mounting hardware, deck mounts and aluminum support tubing is usually included. Stainless steel poles and hardware are more expensive but they will last a lifetime. Chrome and brass-coated fittings are also popular and long lasting, but in time they tend to corrode. Nylon fittings are both durable and inexpensive. Most companies offer a one-year manufacturer's warranty on the tops and a 3- to 5-year fabric guarantee. Here is a thumbnail glance at bimini materials and their properties: Cotton Duck -Inexpensive, but won't last as long as other fabrics due to degradation from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The material also tends to leak. Also keep in mind that cotton is subject to dry rot, so proper waterproofing is crucial to prolong its life. More info Vinyl- The most popular choice because it's waterproof and will divert water to the sides of the top for runoff. Vinyl bimini tops range in quality from low to very high, and are easy to clean. More info "Solution-Dyed" Polyester- This appears to be the best value for colored bimini tops Polyester that is solution-dyed has an extremely rich color and holds up very well to UV-rays for less fading. Polyester tops are very strong and resist stretching, so they also retain their shape well. Polyester tops are more water-repellent and abrasion-resistant than acrylics. More info Acrylic- This top-of-the-line soft woven fabric looks and feels terrific. It holds up well to UV rays and has exceptional fade resistance and strength. However, it has a tendency to stretch and sag, and is prone to leaking. Acrylic tops are usually more expensive, but not as abrasion resistant than some others. More info Return to TopWoven acrylic material is considered the premium quality for bimini tops. The material is silky smooth and wrinkle resistant. Caution is in order, however, if the material is not solution dyed as it has a tendency to sag and leak. Perhaps the most popular brand of solution dyed woven acrylic biminis is Sunbrella. Most woven acrylics are treated with a fluorocarbon waterproofing substance. Sunbrella usually offers a 5-year warranty on its fabric, 2 years longer than some most other fabric brands. Return to TopCotton duck is a canvas-like fabric. Cotton duck fabric is used for everything from director's chairs and tote bags to artist's canvas and bimini tops. The fabric is sold in various grades of thickness and can be purchased dyed or unbleached (the "natural," oyster color). Cotton duck biminis are generally inexpensive but they often lack the durability of other materials. If treated with a quality waterproofer, however, cotton duck fabric will last longer. Cited as the "best value" by the Boat Owners Association of the United States, solution-dyed polyester is known for its resistance to stretching and its ability to resist fading. Make sure to use a good waterproofing treatment at least once every season as it can be susceptible to moisture breakdown. Usually made of vinyl-coated reinforced fabric, it can be 100% waterproof as well as ultraviolet- and mildew-resistant. Vinyl biminis are made of a durable, plastic fabric that allows rainwater to cascade from the surface and not leak though the material. Vinyl tops are generally the easiest to keep clean. However, they can crack and become brittle over time, and lose its original color. A waterproofing treatment at least once every season will protect the threads that hold the panels together. Why allow water, mildew, oils and bird droppings ruin the appearance of your boat and shorten the life of the top and other marine equipment? A quality fabric waterproofing agent will protect all fabrics from the inevitable breakdown of the material and threads in any type of bimini top. Although untreated canvas is most susceptible to rotting and ruin, even acrylic and vinyl bimini tops will eventually break down. It makes good sense to treat your boat's cover and other boat equipment with an environmentally-friendly waterproofing agent and stain repellant. Premium marine waterproofing agents minimize moisture damage, prevent mold and mildew, and the damage caused by ultraviolet rays and airborne pollutants.
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