I have a 21' boat and plan on getting a BIMINI top for it (sunbrella). I am
concerned on the measurements,

First i plan on mounting the main frame on the outside of the windshield,
good or bad?
Second, how exact do the measurements have to be, since i have to order it
online i'm worried if something is exact i'll have a problem
third, i am hesitant about installing it myself, drilling into boat, how
difficult and should i have a marina try to do the install?

Thanks! !

"oelf92" wrote in message
...
I have a 21' boat and plan on getting a BIMINI top for it (sunbrella). I
am concerned on the measurements,

First i plan on mounting the main frame on the outside of the windshield,
good or bad?
Second, how exact do the measurements have to be, since i have to order it
online i'm worried if something is exact i'll have a problem
third, i am hesitant about installing it myself, drilling into boat, how
difficult and should i have a marina try to do the install?

Thanks! !




I installed one this past Spring and it was easy to install (a 3 person job
though).

1. Installing the bimini support on the outside of the windshield on the
gunwale is fine and preferable to installing it on the windshield frame for
support reasons.

2. The bimini support frame members (vertical and horizontal) are
adjustable so you do not have to be exact in your measurements. You will
have several inches to play with.......just don't go short.

3. Measure the distance from the gunwale vertically to where you want the
top of the bimini to be, making sure that measurement allows you (or a
6'1/2" person) to stand under it with comfort. That will be your bimini
height.

4. Measure the distance from the outside edge of the windshield to the
opposite outside edge of the windshield to where the framing will be
installed (horizontal measurement). That will be your bimini width.

Straps will be provided for additional support to the bimini frame at the
front and rear (both sides) to minimize sway while underway.

Make sure to buy the rear frame supports unless you want the bimini frame to
lay down (collapse to the rear or front of the boat) when not in use.

I found that coversearch.com offers the best price. The site also walked me
through the measurement process nicely.

Make sure you seal all your drill holes before screwing in the supports.

The installation is a 2 hour project..........tops.........and quite easy.
;-)

Jim,

Sounds easy enough.. When you say "seal" drill holes, can you elaborate a
little, with what? And specifically how? Also do you drill directly into
the boat or do you use any molly type hardward to secure the screws?

-Matt
" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"oelf92" wrote in message
...
I have a 21' boat and plan on getting a BIMINI top for it (sunbrella). I
am concerned on the measurements,

First i plan on mounting the main frame on the outside of the windshield,
good or bad?
Second, how exact do the measurements have to be, since i have to order
it online i'm worried if something is exact i'll have a problem
third, i am hesitant about installing it myself, drilling into boat, how
difficult and should i have a marina try to do the install?

Thanks! !




I installed one this past Spring and it was easy to install (a 3 person
job though).

1. Installing the bimini support on the outside of the windshield on the
gunwale is fine and preferable to installing it on the windshield frame
for support reasons.

2. The bimini support frame members (vertical and horizontal) are
adjustable so you do not have to be exact in your measurements. You will
have several inches to play with.......just don't go short.

3. Measure the distance from the gunwale vertically to where you want the
top of the bimini to be, making sure that measurement allows you (or a
6'1/2" person) to stand under it with comfort. That will be your bimini
height.

4. Measure the distance from the outside edge of the windshield to the
opposite outside edge of the windshield to where the framing will be
installed (horizontal measurement). That will be your bimini width.

Straps will be provided for additional support to the bimini frame at the
front and rear (both sides) to minimize sway while underway.

Make sure to buy the rear frame supports unless you want the bimini frame
to lay down (collapse to the rear or front of the boat) when not in use.

I found that coversearch.com offers the best price. The site also walked
me through the measurement process nicely.

Make sure you seal all your drill holes before screwing in the supports.

The installation is a 2 hour project..........tops.........and quite easy.
;-)

Toadd to Jim's comments, is there a wakeboard tower involved? If so, then
you may have to comprimise between headroom, and the ability to extend the
biminy below the tower.

--Mike

"oelf92" wrote in message
...
Jim,

Sounds easy enough.. When you say "seal" drill holes, can you elaborate a
little, with what? And specifically how? Also do you drill directly into
the boat or do you use any molly type hardward to secure the screws?

-Matt
" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"oelf92" wrote in message
...
I have a 21' boat and plan on getting a BIMINI top for it (sunbrella). I
am concerned on the measurements,

First i plan on mounting the main frame on the outside of the
windshield, good or bad?
Second, how exact do the measurements have to be, since i have to order
it online i'm worried if something is exact i'll have a problem
third, i am hesitant about installing it myself, drilling into boat, how
difficult and should i have a marina try to do the install?

Thanks! !




I installed one this past Spring and it was easy to install (a 3 person
job though).

1. Installing the bimini support on the outside of the windshield on the
gunwale is fine and preferable to installing it on the windshield frame
for support reasons.

2. The bimini support frame members (vertical and horizontal) are
adjustable so you do not have to be exact in your measurements. You will
have several inches to play with.......just don't go short.

3. Measure the distance from the gunwale vertically to where you want
the top of the bimini to be, making sure that measurement allows you (or
a 6'1/2" person) to stand under it with comfort. That will be your
bimini height.

4. Measure the distance from the outside edge of the windshield to the
opposite outside edge of the windshield to where the framing will be
installed (horizontal measurement). That will be your bimini width.

Straps will be provided for additional support to the bimini frame at the
front and rear (both sides) to minimize sway while underway.

Make sure to buy the rear frame supports unless you want the bimini frame
to lay down (collapse to the rear or front of the boat) when not in use.

I found that coversearch.com offers the best price. The site also walked
me through the measurement process nicely.

Make sure you seal all your drill holes before screwing in the supports.

The installation is a 2 hour project..........tops.........and quite
easy. ;-)

"oelf92" wrote in message
...
Jim,

Sounds easy enough.. When you say "seal" drill holes, can you elaborate a
little, with what? And specifically how? Also do you drill directly into
the boat or do you use any molly type hardward to secure the screws?

-Matt
" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..

"oelf92" wrote in message
...
I have a 21' boat and plan on getting a BIMINI top for it (sunbrella). I
am concerned on the measurements,

First i plan on mounting the main frame on the outside of the
windshield, good or bad?
Second, how exact do the measurements have to be, since i have to order
it online i'm worried if something is exact i'll have a problem
third, i am hesitant about installing it myself, drilling into boat, how
difficult and should i have a marina try to do the install?

Thanks! !




I installed one this past Spring and it was easy to install (a 3 person
job though).

1. Installing the bimini support on the outside of the windshield on the
gunwale is fine and preferable to installing it on the windshield frame
for support reasons.

2. The bimini support frame members (vertical and horizontal) are
adjustable so you do not have to be exact in your measurements. You will
have several inches to play with.......just don't go short.

3. Measure the distance from the gunwale vertically to where you want
the top of the bimini to be, making sure that measurement allows you (or
a 6'1/2" person) to stand under it with comfort. That will be your
bimini height.

4. Measure the distance from the outside edge of the windshield to the
opposite outside edge of the windshield to where the framing will be
installed (horizontal measurement). That will be your bimini width.

Straps will be provided for additional support to the bimini frame at the
front and rear (both sides) to minimize sway while underway.

Make sure to buy the rear frame supports unless you want the bimini frame
to lay down (collapse to the rear or front of the boat) when not in use.

I found that coversearch.com offers the best price. The site also walked
me through the measurement process nicely.

Make sure you seal all your drill holes before screwing in the supports.

The installation is a 2 hour project..........tops.........and quite
easy. ;-)




Before you put in the screws for the hardware dab a little marine grade
silicone in the drilled holes to keep water from getting below the gelcoat
and into the coring on the gunwale.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/377540075msk.htm

If the frame support hardware is installed on the gunwale you will only need
to use the stainless steel screws provided.

I also use a countersink on the holes to open the gelcoat layer up a
little further if I am using wood screws. The fiberglass will take the
screw threads without cracking. But gelcoat is brittle and will often
crack when the screw expands it. Usually the crack is covered by what
you are installing but not always. Plus if you ever have to remove it
the gelcoat cracks will make it a lot harder to fill the hole. Just a
little extra effort for a quality job.

Harry Krause wrote:
JimH wrote:
"oelf92" wrote in message
...
Jim,

Sounds easy enough.. When you say "seal" drill holes, can you elaborate a
little, with what? And specifically how? Also do you drill directly into
the boat or do you use any molly type hardward to secure the screws?

-Matt
" JimH" not telling you @ pffftt.com wrote in message
. ..
"oelf92" wrote in message
...
I have a 21' boat and plan on getting a BIMINI top for it (sunbrella). I
am concerned on the measurements,

First i plan on mounting the main frame on the outside of the
windshield, good or bad?
Second, how exact do the measurements have to be, since i have to order
it online i'm worried if something is exact i'll have a problem
third, i am hesitant about installing it myself, drilling into boat, how
difficult and should i have a marina try to do the install?

Thanks! !



I installed one this past Spring and it was easy to install (a 3 person
job though).

1. Installing the bimini support on the outside of the windshield on the
gunwale is fine and preferable to installing it on the windshield frame
for support reasons.

2. The bimini support frame members (vertical and horizontal) are
adjustable so you do not have to be exact in your measurements. You will
have several inches to play with.......just don't go short.

3. Measure the distance from the gunwale vertically to where you want
the top of the bimini to be, making sure that measurement allows you (or
a 6'1/2" person) to stand under it with comfort. That will be your
bimini height.

4. Measure the distance from the outside edge of the windshield to the
opposite outside edge of the windshield to where the framing will be
installed (horizontal measurement). That will be your bimini width.

Straps will be provided for additional support to the bimini frame at the
front and rear (both sides) to minimize sway while underway.

Make sure to buy the rear frame supports unless you want the bimini frame
to lay down (collapse to the rear or front of the boat) when not in use.

I found that coversearch.com offers the best price. The site also walked
me through the measurement process nicely.

Make sure you seal all your drill holes before screwing in the supports.

The installation is a 2 hour project..........tops.........and quite
easy. ;-)



Before you put in the screws for the hardware dab a little marine grade
silicone in the drilled holes to keep water from getting below the gelcoat
and into the coring on the gunwale.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/377540075msk.htm

If the frame support hardware is installed on the gunwale you will only need
to use the stainless steel screws provided.




If it is wood coring, you might want to consider drilling the holes,
"coating" the holes with epoxy, letting that dry, and slathering in some
silicone. Then put in the screws or bolts.

On 10 Aug 2006 05:26:04 -0700, "jamesgangnc"
wrote:

I also use a countersink on the holes to open the gelcoat layer up a
little further if I am using wood screws. The fiberglass will take the
screw threads without cracking.

Countersinking the hole is a good idea for another reason also. The
bedding compound will be forced into the depression forming a minature
O-ring around the fastener.

: Before you put in the screws for the hardware dab a little marine grade
: silicone in the drilled holes to keep water from getting below the gelcoat
: and into the coring on the gunwale.
:
: http://www.boatersworld.com/product/377540075msk.htm
:
: If the frame support hardware is installed on the gunwale you will only need
: to use the stainless steel screws provided.
:
:If it is wood coring, you might want to consider drilling the holes,
:"coating" the holes with epoxy, letting that dry, and slathering in some
:silicone. Then put in the screws or bolts.

I have never installed a bimini top but it seems that the screws would,
over time, loosen up or does the frame "float" a little on the mount
and not put a lot of strain on the mount (for example while the boat is
moving)? And what happens if those screws do loosen and the
gelcoat/wood core is "stripped" so the screws cannot be tightened back
up? I think I'd be tempted to install bolts with washers/nuts
underneath the gunwale to provide maximum strength and life, but that's
just me.

On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 18:53:17 +0000 (UTC), (Bob) wrote:

: Before you put in the screws for the hardware dab a little marine grade
: silicone in the drilled holes to keep water from getting below the gelcoat
: and into the coring on the gunwale.
:
: http://www.boatersworld.com/product/377540075msk.htm
:
: If the frame support hardware is installed on the gunwale you will only need
: to use the stainless steel screws provided.
:
:If it is wood coring, you might want to consider drilling the holes,
:"coating" the holes with epoxy, letting that dry, and slathering in some
:silicone. Then put in the screws or bolts.

I have never installed a bimini top but it seems that the screws would,
over time, loosen up or does the frame "float" a little on the mount
and not put a lot of strain on the mount (for example while the boat is
moving)? And what happens if those screws do loosen and the
gelcoat/wood core is "stripped" so the screws cannot be tightened back
up? I think I'd be tempted to install bolts with washers/nuts
underneath the gunwale to provide maximum strength and life, but that's
just me.

Agreed. There is no way I'd use a screw if I could use a bolt.

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it."
Rene Descartes