Front, side, bow curtains

[cliffpaul2]

Do you know exactly when the changes were made? I have a 1980 and would be interested in the cover if it doesn't have to be modified. Thanks!

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

Back in 1999 when I 1st set up my '74 one of the 1st things I did was have a top w/4 sided enclosure made...wasn't a matter of adding winter to the season...we were fishing 12 months anyway...was a matter of makin' it more tolerable...the back enclosure contains the heat from the propane disc (about the same output as a Mr Heater)...w/out the back, there's no containment and you'll have to be about 6" from the heater to feel it...across the front, the center and both sides were made to roll up and strap up for open-air running when needed.

1 1/2 hrs down I-85 to the ramp...I never even considered leaving the top up for the 60-70 mph tow...I did stow all the snap on curtains inside the truck to keep them warm for easier attachment...

BTW..that top is still intact today and is available for sale...cut specifically for a '74, I wouldn't recommend for 80s or later models as there were some changes...COULD be altered, but again, I wouldn't recommend it...


Can't believe these the only pics I have...l don't have it, but Rick said he was looking for a new home for it last we talked...

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by cliffpaul2

Do you know exactly when the changes were made? I have a 1980 and would be interested in the cover if it doesn't have to be modified. Thanks!

I think your '80 was AFTER the change...easy way to tell; look at yours just aft of where the side windshield angles down to the top of the gunwale...I think on yours the fiberglass continues on the same angle like my '84...look at same place on pic of the '74...the fiberglass goes flat our from under the side windshield and the side curtains are cut to follow that contour...look closely at the pictures above aft of the side windows...

[rb437]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

Back in 1999 when I 1st set up my '74 one of the 1st things I did was have a top w/4 sided enclosure made...wasn't a matter of adding winter to the season...we were fishing 12 months anyway...was a matter of makin' it more tolerable...the back enclosure contains the heat from the propane disc (about the same output as a Mr Heater)...w/out the back, there's no containment and you'll have to be about 6" from the heater to feel it...across the front, the center and both sides were made to roll up and strap up for open-air running when needed.

1 1/2 hrs down I-85 to the ramp...I never even considered leaving the top up for the 60-70 mph tow...I did stow all the snap on curtains inside the truck to keep them warm for easier attachment...

BTW..that top is still intact today and is available for sale...cut specifically for a '74, I wouldn't recommend for 80s or later models as there were some changes...COULD be altered, but again, I wouldn't recommend it...




Can't believe these the only pics I have...l don't have it, but Rick said he was looking for a new home for it last we talked...

I love this site. Just the other day I was wishing I had a picture of your old / my new bimini in action so I could post it and offer it up for sale. Next thing you know, there it is and your trying to sell it for me!

So anyone interested? PM me. the price will be right.

[cliffpaul2]

Perfect explanation of the difference between the 70's and 80's models! You're right, the fiberglass on my 1980 drops down to the gunnel an inch or so from where the windshield begins. Your top definitely wouldn't be a perfect fit for my boat. Thanks a lot for your help.

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

I think your '80 was AFTER the change...easy way to tell; look at yours just aft of where the side windshield angles down to the top of the gunwale...I think on yours the fiberglass continues on the same angle like my '84...look at same place on pic of the '74...the fiberglass goes flat our from under the side windshield and the side curtains are cut to follow that contour...look closely at the pictures above aft of the side windows...

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by cliffpaul2

Perfect explanation of the difference between the 70's and 80's models! You're right, the fiberglass on my 1980 drops down to the gunnel an inch or so from where the windshield begins. Your top definitely wouldn't be a perfect fit for my boat. Thanks a lot for your help.

It COULD be done..a decent top shop could make snap-in panels that would make up the difference...and honestly one wouldn't even notice it visually...and I bet you'd get a pretty good price from Rick on that top, too...Blue Runner made one work off Francos V20....and BR's got a V21...so all things are possible...

[Blue_Runner]

It ain't perfect.....but all I had to do was add snaps to the side curtains to match the contour of the rounded V21 side windshields and a few on the gunnels. Used it for 4 or 5 years like that.

I had it modified it last year b/c the snaps in the rear corners wanted to come unbuttoned. Basically I has a sleeve sewn in with about a 1' long piece of flat aluminum. Hole in the middel for a strap that goes around the aluminum and lets me cinch it down to an eyelet on the gunnel. The flat aluminum in the sleeve distributes the stress of the strap accross the whole dea....takes the pressure off the snaps and works beautifully. I engineered it myself and stood over the shoulder of the canvas man supervising as he did it.

Before I couldn't use it without the rear curtain....now that isn't a problem.

[Blue_Runner]

Since I do not have pictures to show what I am talking about (I know, I'm slack) I edited the following pic to show the top before the latest mod. The red circle is there to show where I had a hard time keeping the snaps snapped....the blue rectangle is the "sleeve" with the aluminum bar in it and the black rectangle is the strap that pulls down on the bar inside the sleeve and connects to the gunnel - releasing the pressure on the snaps. Sleeve is sewn into the inside....by the way...so none of it shows .