1800chall_tim
Active Member
i am considering a bimini for mine and would like to hear some opinions. what is a good brand/size or style? how fast can i go with it up? does it even keep the sun off you?
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bimini or no bimini on challenger
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SeadooDavid
New Member
You'll probably have better luck over in the boat section. But if you find a bimini top for my seadoo let me know immediately.
You have a few options. You can buy a universal fit bimini like Dr Honda did or you can buy the one designed to fit your boat. The OEM bimini for yours runs 440 + shipping. The universal fit kind can be found on ebay for under 200. I went with the universal fit one originally just like Dr Honda has.. It looked good and functioned fine. The only problem is that it didnt really hug the contour of the boat when folded down and would not fit under the boat cover. I only tow the boat covered, so that was a problem. After I had a brain fart and bent it all up, i decided to buy the OEM bimini. It is a bit nicer and easily fits under the cover, bit is also cost more than double the price.
Either way, I highly recommend it. I use it more for rain than I do sun protection. Properly installed with the rear poles it can be in the folded back position and not effect speed at all. With it open i can do 35+ easily, never really tried top speed with it open.
Either way, I highly recommend it. I use it more for rain than I do sun protection. Properly installed with the rear poles it can be in the folded back position and not effect speed at all. With it open i can do 35+ easily, never really tried top speed with it open.
DnE1800twin
New Member
Looks great Dr Honda. I'll be looking for one on my Challenger soon. The Florida sun is a killer....
Spimothy Leary
Well-Known Member
i have the OEM on my 96 Challenger, and in the florida sun its worth its weight in GOLD !!!
1800chall_tim
Active Member
thanks for all the advise, i think i will get the oem top soon.
Pitt
Member
Hi Leary. I have a 96 Challenger,too. I have owned it since new. I want to put a OEM bimini on it and I'm wondering. Does it cover enough area on the boat. I'm not sure how high or long the OEM is. Is it hard to move around under it or is it high enough to work out? I don't want it too high but I don't want to crouch too much either to move around. What do you think? Pitt
Pitt
Member
I ordered the OEM top from JM Camper out of Maine. They order them through the Canadian company that makes them. They then mail it directly to your door. Mine cost $440 shipped. It took 2 weeks to get it to my door. The top is great and the very well made. Good instructions for mounting in the best place. I really like it and so does the wife.
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Where can I get solid rear stays for OEM bimini top?
Found here (may be I can buy one from here)
http://www.coverquest.com/boats/all/accessories
Found here (may be I can buy one from here)
http://www.coverquest.com/boats/all/accessories
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Pitt
Member
You could go to a place that makes tops locally and they could make them for you. Or you can buy on line. They are very long but you could cut them to size. http://www.websweeper.com/php/bimini_tops/bim-003.php
tresvatos1
Active Member
Boat Bimini 1999 Speedster
Just a quick pic of how my bimini turned out .. It is a cheap standard universal, but it works great. Just a bummer that I have to take it totally off to put the Poppy Cover on. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to throw it on the boat though, and one person can even do it in a bind.
Just a quick pic of how my bimini turned out .. It is a cheap standard universal, but it works great. Just a bummer that I have to take it totally off to put the Poppy Cover on. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to throw it on the boat though, and one person can even do it in a bind.
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tresvatos1
Active Member
The poppy cover is a well engineered cover and easy to put on. I think the only sacrifice is having to pay a few hundred extra for the factory SPEC. Bimini from JM Camper. I think unless i can find a good deal on a used factory bimini, the best option is to just put the Bimini on when I get to the lake. I added quick release pins to the Bimini Contact points, so literally i can put it on in under 5 minutes by myself if it came down to it.
tresvatos1
Active Member
Black Rigid stay support Tubes for Bimini
Oh if you look in my pic above, you will notice I have black support tubes on the bimini. This is from a non paint rubber spray called Plast-dip. I liked the way the black poles look as opposed to silver which detracts from the aesthetics of the Speedster contours when the bimini is in the stow position. If I ever decide to go to silver to sell the bimini one day, I just peel the black coating off. This substance is a rust preventative as well, so you will find a million uses for it around the Marine environment
Oh if you look in my pic above, you will notice I have black support tubes on the bimini. This is from a non paint rubber spray called Plast-dip. I liked the way the black poles look as opposed to silver which detracts from the aesthetics of the Speedster contours when the bimini is in the stow position. If I ever decide to go to silver to sell the bimini one day, I just peel the black coating off. This substance is a rust preventative as well, so you will find a million uses for it around the Marine environment
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Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
On my old Sportster... I took the top off also. It was a light weight aluminum unit, and it fit in the back of my truck without an issue.
NOW... the Islandia is a different story. The top is HUGE, and is all stainless. I bet it weighs 60Lbs. I'm glad I can leave it on. (lol)
NOW... the Islandia is a different story. The top is HUGE, and is all stainless. I bet it weighs 60Lbs. I'm glad I can leave it on. (lol)
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tresvatos1
Active Member
Looks good! staainless is good material, just ask John DeLorean! Another added note on my bimini. It came in GRAY Only color, so I had to use a special nylon dye spray paint that had to be special ordered to make it gold/yellow to match my speedster. I think it turned out rather nice for a DIY job though!
Greg, that turned out nice for one of the universal biminis. I cant even tell its dyed. I would have stuck with my cheap one if it wasnt for me smashing it up.
Tony, that looks good on there. Did you add that or was it on there already?
Tony, that looks good on there. Did you add that or was it on there already?
tresvatos1
Active Member
thanks Rich and Tony! NOW yáll need to help me figure out a way to mount a White NAV Light to the bimini that doesn't look tacky! Something L.E.D and permanent, but low profile ...time to brainstorm!
Use the strip LED's. Wire tied, you wouldnt even notice.
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