Bimini Tops

[hydroTechNoCrat]

Hello,

I am thinking of getting a bimini top for my Key West CC. I need something so my wife and daughter can get a little shade while we are out cruising around.

How are those things to deal with? Do they interfere much with the fly-fishing?I am sure that I would get a fly hooked in the canvas a fair amount of the time.

Any info will be appreciated.

Thx,

Dom

[loon]

Bimminis: they are a pain, and they do get in the way. On top of it, half the time the sun angle is off and they leave half the boat unshaded. Fishing down in the Glades and 10,000 Islands for several years we found we got far more shade benefit from a (infinitely adjustable) golf umbrella. (As well as a much lower clutter count) My wife has difficulty with sun for long periods and I have difficulty with not fishing for long periods, so we really worked the issue.

[aldfpd]

I have one that I removed from my Parker 18'. depending on the beam of your boat, it may fit yours. call if interested in a deal. 212-495-9062 -Andrew

[FireFly]

Maybe I'm the odd man out here but when I had a 19' CC I really liked my bimini top and would take it over having nothing at all. Of course it got replaced by a T-top which is more functional but the bimini served it's purpose when I needed shelter from the shade (a lot cooler under the bimini) and shelter from a pop up rain storm. I did not have it up while running and could not fish with it unless we were anchored up and chunking. Tough to cast around unless you were in the bow it could hang your rod out the stern.

[Gadabout Guinea]

The bimini can be a pain, but it is really nice to duck out of the sun on hot days and get under it for a passing storm. I left it off my boat for a few weeks because I liked having it out of the way but found I really missed it so I ended up putting it back on. I would prefer a T-top with one of those shade extensions, but I'm done with any big mods on my present ride.

Chris

[Poppr]

+1 on trhe LARGE golf umbrella and a RAM mount.

As stated the top provides only limited shade unless the sun is DIRECTLY overhead and you cant run with it up......for long anyway.

I have on for my 17' CC and it has been hanging in the garage for over 6 years wihout use. A product I will never pay for again. Will I EVER use it....maybe. But when I eventually get a bigger or different boat its inclusion would not be worth it. T top with an extension, maybe.

Even when I was in Oklahoma (surface of the sun hot) I used it only sparingly because it just got in the way and did not do enough of a job to warrant continued use. Loose clothing, a good hat, H20, and sunscreen kept me on the water.

[gf2020]

Never had a bimini on my McKee Craft 196 and never found myself wanting one either. If the family was out on the boat on a bright, sunny day it's because they wanted to be out on the boat on a bright, sunny day.

Now a T-top I could be persuaded to get on a 20' boat!