OK...what would you guys suggest for a good size to buy a top to protect against the sun here in tampa florida... and of course we would have to consider style points, functionality, and what ever you determined you wish you knew before you installed your first one...and then realized it was not the right choice...so I can get it done right the first time...

from the pic you can see what i have and its 17 1/2 long...
 
thanks...

Personally for style points have it fold back bimini's that flop forward on a riverboat make them look like Grandma's old Oldsmobile. If I was working with an all new interior I'd design the top to fit inside the top rail and follow around and behind the motor in a nice little pocket that could have a snap on cover. All hold downs try to keep on the interior side but find hardware without any sharp edges.  Good luck have fun.

I guess it depends on the way you use it then...low profile 30/36" for max shade and 42" + if you want to stand up to move around and the length would also affect shade and ability to stand and move around...my cockpit area (front to back) is only 6 feet and my engine cover is really high so it aint gonna go over it to rest on the rear end of boat...so i am limited to around 5' with max 6' in length...width will be in the 67-72" area...

how fast can you go with the top up without tearing it apart...idle speed or can you get to plane and cruise...

If you double hinge the bimini the height of your motor cover won't be an issue. Do a search for my Nordic bimini thread and you will see what I'm talking about. I was unaware of all that is involved in making a bimini fit rite until I had mine built. I am glad that I didn't just measure and order because it would have looked like Shit compared to how it looks now

Ralph, that looks very good...now i see what you mean by double hinge...

how tall is your top and the length looks about 6 feet...

i had no idea that you could run the top at those speeds...thats good to know

i dont know how tall it is, will measure sunday when i take it out.. she had me sit in the boat then she took a measure ment from the floor to the top of my head then added 18 inches (i think) and thats how she came up with how tall it was going to be.. i cant stand straight up but i can hunch and walk in my boat..

now do you want it mounted inboard or out board? yes it makes a difference..

do yourself a favor and go have it custom made, or at least go to a shop and ask ? like i said there is way more to it than you think

ralph

i suggest you take lots of pics and call custom canvas in montclair, ca  and speak with monica? i think thats her name tell her what you want  and ask if she can help... i would think that she can tell you where to measure and relay the measurment back to her.

my bimini is installed outboard of the gunnal sp? you can mount it on top of it or inside. hence inboard/outboard...