Bimini Tops

Just wondering if anybody has a Bimini top on your boat, and how do you like it. I have  16.5 lund and they have a pretty nice system that hooks into my tracks on the top rails of the boat. it would be ideal for those scorching hot days when the sun is relentless. for still fishing, it would be fantastic, for casting, I would have to see how far it extends front and back. 

Any thoughts ????

I am still using a patio umbrella. Works well for us and doesn't get in the way of fishing. Started raining one day and although it isn't waterproof it did help divert the water to teh edges of the unbrella. I use tent paracord to keep the umbrella from spinning and rocking too much. 

Got a chance to try out the bini on Tuesday when the sun was beating down.....that was probably some of the best money I ever spent !!!! ?

First you need to find out who made your top it's usually labeled somewhere crestliner 
does not make Bimini's tops

I bought a bimini when I bought my 2017 Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850.  The top has the ability to fold the aluminum poles for storage.  It’s nice because it takes up a lot less space when not in use, however, the plastic couplers used to lock the joints, are breaking.   Anyone know where I can order these?  Better yet, anyone know of better/more durable replacement parts???

bass, I went back to my lund dealer, they happened to have one in stock that would fit my boat, plus it had the SS hardware for the track system. A company called Dufort, out of Canada makes these for lund. and many other brands. Mine cost a little over $1000, you can find them cheaper online, but there is a catch....you need to add the stainless steel hardware, then you need to add freight, due to the size, they need to be shipped by truck, to a location with a loading dock. By the time I added all of that up, it was within a few dollars of the dealer.

I checked a few online with ratings and this was as good as it gets.

What brand of bimini top is that and how much?  Looks like it would work on my boat too.

I've thought about a Bimini top for my 2009 Lund 16.25 XL SS. It has the rails in place already... 

Then, a few years ago, I came across this pic on another fishing website.

Since I fish alone most of the time and it's adjustable, this is what I'll use soon. Just add an umbrella of your choice. Then collapse it when under way. 

I think this will work out fantastic, with the Lund sport track system, I can take this off in about 2 minutes.

picked up a Bimini yesterday, going to install in a day or two with warmer weather, will get pics when done

I don't want to take the credit.  Guide Paul Michalek and The Fountain of Youth for Boats did the original on Paul's boat.

David, You adapted to your environment and over came the Wisconsin winter!!! Great job!! 

Sswpriz,

We tried a patio umbrella in the seat pedestal base and a 4' x 6' EZ-Up canopy...both worked fine as long as the boat was stationary or using the trolling motor on calm days. Windy days or anything above No Wake was not possible. But yes, a patio umbrella or 4x6 canopy with Tarp Shark clips on the edges and a couple cam-style lashing straps did work in a pinch. After seeing how nice the shade was for the kids, my wife and I decided for ease of use and safety we would just invest in an actual bimini top. At the time, our kids were 6 months and 2.5 years old so we will get our money's worth from the $150 investment. The patio umbrella and EZ-Up canopy just took up too much room in out 16.5' boat. The bimini allows us to fish or pull the kids on the tube, then pop up the bimini to eat lunch and relax in the shade while the kids swim. Again, for kids it is almost a necessity if you want to stay on the water for more than an hour or two on a sunny summer day.

Here's another thought...what about the brackets that attach to you seat post, then you can put an umbrella in the bracket? Anybody have any experience with those ?

The curtains remove easily with zippers so I can use the top without the curtains.  The top and top frame remove easily from the boat with two clips built into the brackets on the boat.

That’s awesome David, just awesome.

Get out fishing no matter what the weather - pretty slick!

Also x2 for fountain of youth, everything they do is stellar!