Bimini Source for 26M

[Compromise]

One of the sponsors of this site does not have the color I'm looking for in stock (Black). They do however, have the best price I've seen out there ($329). Anyone out here have other sources that would fit the 26M?
Thanks

[Ivan Awfulitch]

If you're referring to Softopper, call Bob at their 800 number. While they don't stock the bimini in black, they do make their own tops and offer the tops and sailcovers in other colors ( I think black is one)and may be able to help. Might take several weeks to get it however so keep that in mind if you're in a big hurry. It is a really nice top.

[Paul S]

There is a powerboat bimini that I installed on our M. Got it from overtons for wicked short $. Works perfect, installed great.

Be a good chance to try out the search feature of this forum.

[Compromise]

Ivan, (love ther last name by the way!!!) The sponsor is Softopper, paranoid about name dropping. Anyway, I may try and call and see how long to get a black one.
Thanks

Paul, what dimensions did you use? Any Pics?
Thanks
Brian

[Paul S]

The powerboat bimini that a member here figured out that fit has been discussed many times.

Go to the search box at the top, and enter Perfect bimini 26M (or other search terms) and the model #'s will be in one of the messages.

Also, in the Mac Mods Section, there is a mod on it as well.

[Brian]

I purchased this one:
http://www.overtons.com

Shademate 3-Bow Sunbrella® Hurricane Bimini Top - 6' Long - 48" to 54" Height - 67" to 72" Top Width
Item# Overton's Price
29805 $284.99

This is available in black. You will also need the sliding brackets that go on the genoa track. You can order those from Bill at boats4sail.info

I like full standing headroom. You can sail with the bimini up by sliding it back on the genoa tracks, but I usually fold the bimini up and lash it to the mast carrier while sailing.

[delevi]

I got mine from Blue Water Yachts (in black.) The bimini is huge and covers almost the entire cockpit, even past the boom end. It is well designed to have a downward slope so the boom clears it. Another nice feature is it is designed to become a full enclosure if you later choose to get the enclosure pieces i.e. dodger mid connector, side walls, etc. It is also works great with stern rail seats and isn't an obstruction. Runs around $550 and well worth it in my opinion.

cheers,
Leon

[Paul S]

I installed the overtons bimini on the deck with the supplied hardware. angled right it clears the boom fine (although we almost never sail with the bimini up), and you can sit on the stern seats with this bimini as well.

It is not as flexible as the made-for-mac ones (ie can't easily be combined in an enclosure), but is about half the price and is fairly well made. Better than I expected for the price.

This is the model I used. comes with a cover as well. It is available in black (Was $219 when I got it, its a lot more now though, but they have sales quite often)
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ew&i=29793

[Dell Anne]

I also purchased the Overton Bimini. It works very nicely. If you search this site and/or google discounts for Overton you can find some discount codes. I saved 20% when I purchased mine. It covers the full width of the boat and mounting it on tracks gives it additional flexibility.

[Terry]

If it is just a Bimini you want and nothing else and it doesn't have to be high quality or last long, then any of the above suggestions are fine.
If you want one that is not aluminum with plastic connectors and is high quality Stainless Steel with SS connectors and wish to eventually add on a quality full enclosure then check out Dowsar Marine. I have the regular one from Dowsar that slides onto the genoa track and is all SS, it was $695 and well made. You get what you pay for.

[Ivan Awfulitch]

If it is just a Bimini you want and nothing else and it doesn't have to be high quality or last long, then any of the above suggestions are fine.
If you want one that is not aluminum with plastic connectors and is high quality Stainless Steel with SS connectors and wish to eventually add on a quality full enclosure then check out Dowsar Marine. I have the regular one from Dowsar that slides onto the genoa track and is all SS, it was $695 and well made. You get what you pay for.

Or continue with the Softopper unit discussed. It is a high quality unit, which will last. Unless you're in salt water, stainless isn't necessarily going to outlast aluminum. This unit is sturdy, well engineered, and well constructed especially for the Mac.

[Moondance]

Hi

We're going to cut a batch of Black biminis this coming week..so we should be able to ship it out in about 2 weeks from now.

Bob
www.boatbimini.com

[parrothead]

When I posted the MODS entry about the "perfect bimini for the 26M" on 6/3/06, there may have been fewer aftermarket alternatives that fit the properly. In the way of an update, I can report that after 3 full seasons, both the aluminum frame and the Sunbrella material on our Overtons' unit [model #29793] are still holding up well.

If you want to add a full enclosure, do buy a bimini that is part of the "set". Otherwise, the choice is aluminum frame vs. stainless for 2X the cost. In our case, we wanted maximum shade, and the flexibility of the aluminum frame permitted the fitting of a bimini that is marketed as being 79"-84" wide, even though the genoa tracks on the are only 72" apart. The purchase was also made during the winter following our first season with the , so low cost was a "selling point". Now we're to the point where the Admiral doesn't even flinch at the cost of a wet slip, a 72" dock box, a Garmin GPSMAP 478, or a Carry-On a/c unit. But I digress...

Our 30"-36" high bimini doesn't provide "full" headroom, although I can stand with only a little slouch, and I don't think it would be high enough for stern seats to be usable [don't have them yet], but we sail with it up on every day that the weather is warm. There's no interference with the boom, as the front edge of the bimini drops just enough to clear it. Folded back [as shown] it stores nicely against the aft stanchions, no extra supports are required. If you want maximum shade for minimal cost, this is still a good unit to consider.

[tangentair]

I got mine from Safe Guard Covers on ebay and got the mounting hardware from Bill @ boats 4 sale. It was posted for auction and I got it rather cheap - less that 100 and it is quite nice, works fine and if I screw it up trying to fab an enclosure, I will not cry. You might want to check out the following post

[BK]

I bought mine for my X at Boat US for around $160. The alumium frame and fabric has lasted for 7 years now. I really like being able to stand up under the Bimini while motoring. The cover for storage is $25 extra.