Bimini Top Question

[stripminer]

I am finally back in the water after a year out due to our second child. In the past I had never installed the bimini top but this year I thought it might be nice with the kids onboard.
The doggone thing is always in the way when it is not raised though. It is either across the cockpit ( NG ) or sitting on the windshield right in my view.
Am I doing something wrong here ? I would think that it should lay across the foredeck, down and out of the way.
Can anyone tell me how they store their bimini on their V20 ? Should I invest in the rigid poles to hold it up and out of the way ? I would really like to have it lay across the foredeck but it gets "stuck" on the windshield.
Thanks in advance

- Tom

[reelapeelin]

I got the ridgid poles on mine, and it works real good most of the time, but you'll never see me fish again w/it propped up...turning the boat to chase biggest striper I ever had on...had to hand rod over top...lost pressure on fish and...oh well, I guess I'll just have to spend another 20 years chasin' that fish...when I gotta take the top at all... it lays down across the splashwell...hope this helps...

[Brian_M]

My boat has a slide where the top poles can slide aft to sit on the transom when down, and slide forward to put the top up....

[stripminer]

Brian,

From your avatar it looks like you have a convertible top ( hooks to the windshield ) ? they may be different from mine. I'm considering slide on rigid poles that way I could push it far forward.

Anyone else ? I am open to all ideas.

- Tom

[Brian_M]

Yes, the photo shows the convertible top (used while storing the boat) The bimini works the same way but I keep it stowed unless I'm using the boat

[macojoe]

Well I am a tall guy (6'1") and have mine up high anough so I can just walk back and forth with out ducking.
Now alot of people don't like how I have done mine for all sorts of reasons but it has been this way for 5 years for me.
I have a side mounted holder on the side of the side windsheild.
So because I have it so high I clear the windsheild when I fold it down.

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v131/macojoe/bimitop.jpg

[stripminer]

MJ,

I have the same set up and I am the same height as you ! My rig won't clear the windshield. I think it might just be a matter of replacing the mounts as they are stuck rather "snugly". You sir have given me hope !!

- Tom

[Mac_Attack]

Mine was set up like MJ's. I keep mine up with the solid poles while fishing, bimini stored in the boot. I fish from the helm seat with a rod holder placed between the biminis support arms. When I've been lucky enough to catch a fish I do have to remove the rod around the rear support. So far it seems to work fine. I have one question! I store the boat with the bimini lowered to the rear and the knob screws that hold the rear support arms are a pain. Has anyone used the quick releases that Cabela sells? Thanks Bill Mc ;D

[stripminer]

I was looking at those too !! If I can get my to fold flat like MJ's I will be happy as a clam ;D. I am finding that the windshield widens as it flares down. There has to be THE solution to this dilemna.

[macojoe]

I have not put mine on this year yet, But I am going to just for you thif Fri and take pic and measurements. To see why I get mine to stay down and yours don.t??

[stripminer]

Your the best !!! Thanks, I appreciate that. If you could measure how long the screws are that would help too.

- Tom

[Mac_Attack]

Went fishing today and saw a boat with it's bimini pushed or lowered forward just above the wind shield. Tried to do the same with mine, would not lower to the forward position. Bill Mc ;D