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 ????
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.
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 don't want to take the credit. Guide Paul Michalek and The Fountain of Youth for Boats did the original on Paul's boat.
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.
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!
I added clear side curtains to my top. Along with the aide of my Mr. Heater ice fishing heater I am able to musky fish with suckers until 12/31 or the lakes freeze over in warm comfort. Fountain of Youth for Boats made the top and curtains.
I've had one on my last 2 boats. They are nice on the hot days, but also in the rain to stay dry. Have had a few times a random shower pops up and we just quickly put the top up and sit under it. Both boats had full windshields so it snapped to that, could drive fairly fast with it up since the wind didn't get under it.
I had a gripe about it though on my previous boat. The top itself was nice, but storing it bugged me. It always laid on something I needed access to, or it was in the way of laying my rods, etc. I could easily remove it when not needed...but then I found times where I wish I had it and I left it in the garage. Even if I left it up with the boot on, it still was annoying to me.
On my current boat, its actually designed to store away nicely. It lays flat on the floor and the canopy part tucks under the back of the boat, out of the way. So now I always have it along and I never complain about it, its not blocking anything, not tripping on it, etc. That was one thing that helped sell me on my current boat.
Pic is it tucked away.
I added one two years ago. I have a Princecraft Pro 169, which is about the same size as your Lund. I added it due to having two young kids to keep them out of the sun and still allow my wife to go fishing and boating with me. Mine covers from the front of the console to the front of the rear casting deck, which is perfect. It was about $150 on Amazon and disconnects in 30 seconds by pulling two pins. Also came with the zippered storage boot for trailering and when not in use. I always thought Bimini tops were stupid on a fishing boat, but with young children, it is a nice addition. It does limit fishing to the front and rear casting decks when up, but we can fish and the kids can snack and listen to the radio in the shade.
ETA: As someone else mentioned...it is also a lifesaver when fishing in a drizzle or very light rain. Keeps your gear dry and allows a place to get out of the rain and take a break when needed.
