Protection from the
Elements
Bimini tops are an inexpensive way to protect
yourself from direct sun and rain while enjoying
your recreational boating experience. Tops are
available in a variety of materials, including
vinyl, cotton, polyester and acrylic. Bimini top
care and bimini top maintenance for boat cover to
help protect bimini tops and boat cover care
routines. Buy bimini top
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Waterproofing
Bimini top care and bimini top maintenance for boat
cover to help protect bimini tops and boat cover
care routines. Buy bimini top cloth biminis are
treated with a breathable waterproofing material in
the factory. This treatment can be enhanced by
waterproofing agents available at marine supply
stores. One brand that performed extraordinarily
well in product trials is Heller Glanz Fabric
Waterproofer. It is one of a number of
premium-quality products available in this new line
of marine maintenance products. Heller Glanz Fabric
Waterproofer comes in an environmentally safe pump
bottle and offers exemplary protection from
moisture, mildew and the deteriorating effects of
ultraviolet rays.
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Woven
Acrylic
Woven acrylic material is considered the premium
quality for bimini tops. The material is silky
smooth and wrinkle resistant tp protect bimini top
care. Caution is in order, however, if the material
is not solution dyed as it has a tendency to sag
and leak. Bimini top care and bimini top
maintenance for boat cover to help protect bimini
tops and boat cover care routines. Buy bimini top
perhaps the most popular brand of solution dyed
woven acrylic biminis is Sunbrella. The company
treats its fabric with a fluorocarbon waterproofing
substance. Sunbrella usually offers a 5-year
warranty on its fabric, 2 years longer than some
most other fabric brands.
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Cotton
Duck
Cotton
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. Bimini top care and bimini top maintenance
for boat cover to help protect bimini top care and
boat cover care routines. Buy bimini top today.
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Polyester
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 ability to resist fading to protect bimini top
care. Bimini top care and bimini top maintenance
for boat cover to help protect bimini tops and boat
cover care routines. Buy bimini top and
waterproofer boat cover tips protect bimini top
care.
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Vinyl
Vinyl biminis are made of a durable, waterproof
plastic fabric that allows rainwater to cascade
from the surface to protect bimini top. Bimini top
care and bimini top maintenance for boat cover to
help protect bimini tops and boat cover care
routines. Buy bimini top and waterproofer boat
cover tips protect bimini top care.
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Bimini
Fittings and Cost
The type of fabric, the length of the boat cover
tips, 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 to protect bimini top.
Stainless steel poles and hardware are more
inexpensive, but 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. Bimini
top care and bimini top maintenance for boat cover
to help protect bimini tops and boat cover care
routines. Buy bimini top routines.
Most companies offer a one-year manufacturer's
warranty on the tops and a 3- to 5-year fabric
guarantee to protect bimini top.
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Measuring for a
Bimini
Remember the purpose of the
boat cover tips when measuring for height. The
purpose is to protect bridge occupants form sun and
rain … but if a bimini top is mounted too
high it will not block the sun adequately. The top
should be 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
needed for your vessel. Boat cover tips care and
bimini top maintenance for boat cover to help
protect bimini tops and boat cover care routines.
Buy bimini top.
Boat cover tips are usually sold in lengths of 5-
to 8-feet. The mounting brackets are located about
half way between the front and back of the vessel.
Measure the distance from each mount location to
determine the width needed.
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