Would like to encourage any boaters out there who haven’t plunged into getting a Bimini top to give it some serious thought.
Really has changed my boating opportunities and can say for certain I’ve been out many times this season when normally I wouldn’t have ventured due to sun, possible rain, etc. It’s been a game changer for me as a fisherman, and added comfort with the family.
Cheers 
I wish I would have a before and after picture of when I left the top in the garage. I was beet red even with a hat on. Now the top is always in the boat.
They are a godsend! I bought mine because I had young children at the time and really wanted to have a place for them in the shade where they could sleep. Now, I find them extending my fishing times in inclement weather. Yeah, they are a bit obtrusive to a point, but if it makes a difference between being on the water or not, I will deal with it. The plus is how much warmer it is when going across the lake in the very early/late season. Get the walkthrough curtain between the pass through and you could set a buddy heater there and really extend things.
Whoops, I read the subject wrong. Carry on.
Whoops, I read the subject wrong. Carry on.
LOL
Whoops, I read the subject wrong. Carry on.
Reminds me of what I say to my wife.
“Honey this year I’m going to buy you a new bathing suit, a one piece.
The bottoms only!
They definitely serve a purpose but I don’t like trolling with it up in my boat. Plus I can’t even stow it with the downriggers on. I’m going to try and find a way to stow it like BKs boat.
I was looking at these.
https://www.dowcomarine.com/fishini-top
The one thing concerns me is the top is small and not really protecting you. The hardware look super nice tho.
I’ve kicked around the idea of getting a bimimi top but as of now rather than spend the money on one and deal with the hassle we just use umbrellas on the boat to keep out of the sun. I have a giant umpbrella normally used for an outdoor patio that shields the whole bow of the boat. They stow away nicely too. A bimini top would be nice
You know crappie I’ve seen some patio umbrellas used for protection on boats and thought that was kick butt. Whatever works.
I lucked out with mine, after looking over the boat to buy from owners last fall and end up buying, right before I was to leave they forgot they had some “covers” in their shed. Turned out to be full bimini and custom made snapon travel covers almost mint. It’s probably my favorite thing of the boat thus far.
still waiting mine after 2 weeks order from La canne’s….
I didn’t think much of mine at first, but tried it out some on our may trip to Kab a couple years back and now I really like it whenever weather is iffy (or in rough water too). When I bought the boat (used) the seller only had the top (Taylor made that I assume was new from the lund factory with the boat(2001)), a few pieces of fabric, some heavy duty clear plastic, snaps and some help from my mom on their canvas sewing machine and we made the side enclosures as close to how factory ones were that we could find. Now I can run in as wet/rough of water as I dare run in and no chance of taking rain/spray to the face. And like others said, really nice wind break on those cool early season mornings.
I was looking at these.
https://www.dowcomarine.com/fishini-top
The one thing concerns me is the top is small and not really protecting you. The hardware look super nice tho.
IMO I wouldn’t buy any top that didn’t fasten to the top of the windshield. They will not hold up at speed and rain/wave spray will come between it and the windshield. Unless you only fish in perfect conditions and use something only for shade, then a style like in the link would be good.
A buddy had one similar on a prior boat and that thing bucked like crazy in the wind.
Vortex Direct has good Bimini.
Lots of thought needs to get into a Bimini so it impacts your fishing the least but maximizes your cover when you want cover.
I have an 8′ long and tall model. I can stand under mine. I don’t have a fast boat, but it is sturdy.
Everything about my boat, rod holders, net holders, etc etc revolves around Bimini placement.
When mine is down, every single rod holder is operable and same when mine is up. All these were considered when buying and mounting.
Bk regularly finds me on the river because my Bimini is up. I spend too many days in the sun and the Bimini is a must have for this guy.
Very happy with vortex direct and their prices. Couldn’t find comparable quality at that cost with another manufacturer/distributor.
Having the Bimini up certainly impacts fishing, but there’s always more than one way to skin a cat. Adjust accordingly.
The only time I won’t put it up is when I’m fishing in light current where boat positioning is critical and the wind is blowing hard enough that the Bimini is the only thing preventing good boat positioning. I’ll use 1 or 2 drift socks to combat the wind and when that isn’t enough the Bimini goes down, or I find a different way to fish.
I wish I would have a before and after picture of when I left the top in the garage. I was beet red even with a hat on. Now the top is always in the boat.
That was a hot day for a trip through two locks Brian!!
as I got older walk thru windshield and Bimini top became a necessary item in my boat. My new 186 Allure has a top that stows upright and attaches to the windshield it is out of the way and easy to deploy when needed. Would not own a boat without these two items.
any recommendations for a 2001 1750 Fishawk SC?
Steve, might want to try these folks. They make the skeeter bim’s.
Brittany Christie
Direct Sales/Customer Service
Ameritex Fabric Systems
Taylor Made Group, LLC
1900 47th Terrace East
Bradenton, FL 34203
P (941)747-1900 x264
F (941)749-5000
[email protected]
I agree the windshield boats are nearly a must have for a Bimini. A lack of Bimini isn’t reason enough to give up the tiller. Being a troller a Bimini presents a problem. That said I think Canvas Craft can make me one that will work for me when i’m alone but if it’s big enough to cover the passengers the bracing will present a problem.
Glad you guys like them, but NEVER NEVER NEVER for me. I am a tiller guy cause I like a roomy boat, one of these would be counter productive. I like the sun and have good rain gear.
Glad you guys like them, but NEVER NEVER NEVER for me. I am a tiller guy cause I like a roomy boat, one of these would be counter productive. I like the sun and have good rain gear.
Never say never.
Glad you guys like them, but NEVER NEVER NEVER for me. I am a tiller guy cause I like a roomy boat, one of these would be counter productive. I like the sun and have good rain gear.
x2 the only time I use the bimini is at night to hold my light.
I have 8 rod holders behind my Bimini for trolling, if I wanted to use any of the other 6 it would be inconvenient.
But you can also mount your rod holders so the Bimini is in the way… 
I’m not sure what’s normal, but the Taylor Made Group, LLC warranties my bim to 35 mph. I was a bit worried but after running it up to 35 mph I’m sure it could handle more although I won’t be trying that until after the warranty. Now toss in a 20 or 30 mph head wind(?) Could be they’ve taken that into account already because it doesn’t wiggle at 35.
Yes, the tiller crowd wouldn’t be interested in a bim since they are the hard core, “give me boat control or give me death” crowd. 
Boat control on a big tiller isn’t a reason. It’s about the room a tiller offers. I’ve had 2 tillers and 3 wheel boats so i’ve seen both sides.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>sticker wrote:</div>
Glad you guys like them, but NEVER NEVER NEVER for me. I am a tiller guy cause I like a roomy boat, one of these would be counter productive. I like the sun and have good rain gear.Never say never.
Don’t worry, I NEVER will 
I had one wheel boat with a top and one without. Went to a tiller and I will be buried in that 
I used to love tillers… Then I started fishing November through April 
Last tiller ride I had was in an 18′ Lund…I had long forgotten about rain gear or 0% rain days and there I was soaked, 40° and luckily windy! Lol. Don’t know how I used to put up with the weather…I do miss the space everyday though (customized boat that can hold 10 rods up to 10′ plus 5 more up to 7′ and enclosed space for anything you could possibly pack!! They don’t make tillers that way!), but another tiller ride would probably cure that.
My largest tiller was a 15 hp on a 14′ boat. Crappy rain jacket and winter gear.
I like cushy seats, windows, bim and a wheel.
Guess that’s why they make both eh?
one
How long did LaCanes tell you it would take when you ordered it?
ordered 7-24-18. bimini.butt seat.custom cover.
i called Mike this morning he said: your stuffs here but still waiting cover. take a day to install bimini and cover ,so i don’t want to take 2 trip over but summer almost gone.!
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