Bimini top "birdbaths" -- is there a fix?

[guy48065]

I just replaced my oem canopy with an aftermarket top from our favorite sponsor.
The top is stretched tight along the 4 edges but it's baggy in the center. Wind makes it billow up. Far worse is when it rains it forms heavy pools between the frame bows.

I think these universal tops are made to fit frames with a lot more arch than mine has.

Is there a fix anyone has found for this problem?

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IMG_20210522_095631.jpg (535.29 KiB) Viewed 6569 times

[guy48065]

I'm the only one to experience this?

[rbtnt]

Try adding straps between the bars.

[guy48065]

What will that do?

[steve1313]

You'll never get as good a fit with a univeral top versus a custom or direct OEM replacement. The design of that top will keep it taut front to back, but there's really nothing to keep it taut side to side. It's just not really the right canvas for your setup. I'd return it and get a custom top made, or reach out to the manufacturer and see if they can help.

[Marc K]

I have not had this happen. I bought a universal top and frame kit from Pontoon Stuff. The adjustable support poles let me really tighten up the canvas. Obviously, when I am underway the air underneath keeps the canvas lifted up, and water does not pool when drifting in light rain.

I have not tried it in a downpour so I do not know if it would pool like that. It very well might do the same thing? Since that would be a very rare thing for me, I would prop my telescoping boat hook under it to create a peak. Redneck? Yes, but we head for our covered boathouse if the rain gets heavy.

I bought this one late last year:
https://www.pontoonstuff.com/products/h ... d5a6&_ss=r

Marc

[guy48065]

I guess I'm not all that surprised that it doesn't fit MY frame very well.

What DOES surprise me is that I've never read anyone comment on it before.

Fixed that.

[TWB]

Here are a couple of observations based on my own slack problems - though not as pronounced as yours:

* Note the frame rail is in the portion of the sleeve closest to the center - providing no stretch. YELLOW ARROWS
* If you can push the frame arms so they are to the outer portion of the sleeves, or even centered it may provide some center stretch. BLUE ARROWS
* Depending on how tight the sides are, you may be able to loosen and slide the front rail arm up closer to the sleeve arm bracket - allowing the front to pull a small amount more downward. RED ARROW

Maybe this will give a little more stretch to the center of the top, but it may not be enough to totally fix your issue. As I say, that's a bit more than I've personally dealt with. I have a full boat (24') double bimini that zips together in the center.

[curtiscapk]

James just sent me a replacement top. I won't get it hooked up until June something with vacation coming. I'll let you know. But it does look like it could be adjusted. I have front struts on my oem one makes it a lot tighter.

[guy48065]

Craig your frame looks similar to mine--low arch--so I'm interested in how yours fits.

@TWB:
The tension on the top is what's pushing DOWN on the center bows and pushing them to the "inside" stops of the sleeves.
I couldn't budge them but I didn't try repositioning the pivots.
I don't think that will help but I'll try that this coming weekend when I'm there again.

My oem top had 2 sleeves for each bow, which possibly would permit a brace or even a ridge in the center but the centered sleeves on this top won't allow that option.

[Rick McC.]

I’ve never had a problem like that with any Bimini top I’ve ever had, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen something like that...

[TWB]

The tension on the top is what's pushing DOWN on the center bows and pushing them to the "inside" stops of the sleeves.
I couldn't budge them but I didn't try repositioning the pivots.
I don't think that will help but I'll try that this coming weekend when I'm there again.

Hmmmm..... If the tension is already that great, you may not get any movement from moving the pivots. Usually, of course, the "droop" would be because of a lack of tension. If yours is that great, I got no clue (which is not out of the ordinary!). Sorry, man.

Good luck.

[guy48065]

I've seen many boats with the top material removed and the frame folded up (winter storage for example) and the four bows stack on top of each other evenly. Mine is also like that. I have a feeling the fabric tension at the corners of the bows will not allow me to raise the center 2 higher but I'll give it a try and see.

[KPC]

bimini strap.jpg (156.21 KiB) Viewed 6435 times

Try shortening your front straps a bit. It should pull your top forward and take up the slack.

KPC

[Rick McC.]

I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen a four bow top before where the inner bows weren’t the same size. I don’t think that top skin is made to fit that bow configuration...