The name Bimini comes from the island of Bimini in the Bahamas, where these tops were first used by local boaters to protect them from sun and rain. But before that, you have to know what is the right bimini top material? Based on it, you have to choose one for your pontoon boat.
The Bimini top’s supporting tubing and framework are made from high-strength durable metal, like aluminum or stainless steel. Stainless steel is more expensive than aluminum, but it is more durable and lasts for many years.
Bimini tops are available at all boat showrooms. You can purchase the Bimini top from a dealer and have the dealer install it for you. If you’re handy, you can save a few bucks by installing the top yourself with the help of the manufacturer’s instructions manual. You can choose either a half pontoon boat enclosure or a full pontoon boat enclosure depending upon your needs and requirements. However, it is highly recommended that you opt for a full pontoon boat enclosure, especially if you stay in a place that experiences extreme climatic conditions. With this cover, you can enjoy more fun on hot sunny days.
Top Three Right Bimini Top Material
The three good bimini top materials used in the pontoon boat includes –
- Sun umbrella pontoon boat top
- Polyester pontoon boat top
- Vinyl pontoon boat bimini top
Frames for all these types of boat tops are the same, and they are fabricated from durable material to provide enduring performance. Pontoon boat enclosures can be made for a variety of uses. You can buy pontoon boat enclosures explicitly designed for fishing, as well as those designed for entertaining and family outings. If you plan to sleep on your boat, you can buy a top that is specifically designed for this purpose. Marine polyester is highly recommended for pontoon boat enclosures. One of the essential functions of a pontoon boat enclosure is to protect you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Marine polyester is one such material which can keep away these harmful rays and make sure that you and your skin is safe.
Sunbrella pontoon boat tops are made up of the most excellent quality material, and they can withstand rain, wind, and sun. These tops come with mounting hardware, adjustable strap, and storage boot. The superior quality framework and fittings assure strength and endurance, no matter how severe the weather condition is. The anodized, square tube frame is not only durable but is attractive as well. Many owners use two tops to provide passengers with more protection.
Pontoon boat tops made of polyester have high UV resistance. They never fade, even when exposed to direct sunlight continuously. The strong frame with rear support struts, stainless steel hardware, wiring harness, and strong fluted aluminum brackets ensure high performance. You can select from various color options, including beige, burgundy, green, grey, and navy. These boat tops can be fixed straightforwardly. They come with stainless steel pins for easy removal or lowering at bridges. These tops are designed to fit the pontoon boat railing.
Read – How to Clean Bimini Top?
The polyester pontoon boat tops have special features to increase your convenience. They zip on and off for easy installation and removal. Pontoon boat tops also offer privacy and can be configured to provide a changing room. You can create a changing room anywhere under your existing top. The privacy partition is available in grey color only.
Vinyl pontoon boat tops are made up of marine-grade vinyl fabric. These tops can be installed quickly, as they come with mounting hardware and adjustable straps. They are moderately priced, and they offer great value for the money spent. You can get four-bow pontoon boat tops that can give you ultimate protection from outside elements. They come with square anodized tubing and adjustable aluminum and stainless-steel mounting hardware. These tops are made up of vinyl or polyester only. The polyester tops are available in several colors like gray, black, beige, and navy, but the vinyl top is available only in white.
How can you ensure that you’re getting a good quality top? Consider the following four characteristics: –
- The frame
- The hardware
- The construction
- The fabric
Bimini tops for pontoon boats are measured according to width, height, and length. If you have difficulty finding a standard top for your boat, custom made Bimini tops are available. Many retail sellers offer Bimini tops online, often at special sale prices. Some dealers sweeten the deal with free offers of T-shirts or other accessories. Bimini tops usually come with a one-year warranty. Partitions can be attached to Bimini tops to provide, or to use as changing rooms. They can be installed anywhere under your Bimini top and secured with straps and hardware. These partitions are made from 100% polyester, is UV resistant, and have full-length zippers for easy access.
It is better to buy a pontoon boat enclosure from the same dealer from whom purchased the boat. All you must do is make sure that you get the right kind of product for the investment that you are putting in. Pontoon boat enclosures are essential to ensure that you can enjoy your sail in any weather.
