Boating Blog

If you own a Pontoon or have seriously considered purchasing one, it may be because of the unparalleled blend of cheapness and relative flexibility for pleasure boating compared to greater, fancier boats. Indeed, many satisfied pontoon boat owners have spent uneventful Sunday afternoons catching fish, sightseeing, or just enjoying the company of family while traversing a lake. Any such activity, however, cannot be enjoyed on a bare pontoon boat for long, as the occupants burn under the rays of the sun or get drenched by rain. If you don’t want your excursion ruined by weather conditions, you may want to purchase an overhead canopy, most popularly known as a Bimini top.

The name of this simple accessory comes from the group of islands in the westernmost district of the Bahamas, {whose fishermen are credited with its invention to protect them from the elements}. The modern Bimini top may be found in a vast variety of forms and designs, though there are certain important factors to help you select the type of Bimini top you would need. The two important factors that you must consider when buying a Bimini top are: (a) the dimensions of the top, (b) the type of fabric.

First, you have to obtain a bimini top that fits your pontoon boat properly. This demands that you acquire several measurements of your boat. For width, just measure the space across your boat from gunnel to gunnel, with marginal extra space for the mounting structure. The top can be any length you choose that you feel will provide you enough cover from the sun and rain. Length is more arbitrary, but ideally you would want a top long enough to cover a certain average party of occupants at any given time, with additional fabric extended above if you want extra covering. Lastly, to measure height, attach a plank of wood across the boat where the mounting brackets will be located, then measure upwards to the height that you prefer. For pontoon boats, the ideal height for the top is one where you can walk underneath without having to crouch, for greater comfort. The height of the top may affect boat speed, but that isn’t relevant on a vacation.

Selecting the right Bimini top fabric involves striking the ideal balance of price versus durability. Cotton-based tops are the cheapest, made of textiles similar to canvas, and are an acceptable option if you’re strapped for cash and won’t take your pontoon boat out much. Cotton tops are not resistant to ultraviolet (UV) rays, subject to leaking, and may rot over time unless put away safely. Vinyl tops are the common standard since they are simple to clean, durable enough to provide protection from the rain, and are normally treated against UV radiation and fungal rot. Acrylic and treated polyester tops are quite costly by comparison, but also extremely durable, remarkably resistant to scratching and fading, and strong enough for regular outdoor activity. For the pontoon enthusiast, these tops are capable of withstanding repeated abuse from the elements. If you plan to ride your pontoon boat out at least once a week in rough conditions, acrylic and polyester would be your best option. Companies like Sunbrella provide exceptional original fabrics that supply the best protection for someone willing to spend.

Purchase with care. A good Bimini top often spells the difference between a relaxing time out at the lake, and suffering misery and pain from rainfall and sunburn before you are compelled to rush for cover.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 2:01 am and is filed under Boating. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.