Choosing a Bimini Top for Your Pontoon Boat – The Fundamentals

If you have a Pontoon or have ever been interested in one, it is most probably due to the unmatched combination of affordability and relative flexibility for pleasure boating compared to larger, fancier boats. Indeed, many content pontoon boat owners have spent lazy Sunday afternoons catching fish, taking in a marvelous view, or just enjoying the company of friends while crossing small bodies of water. Any such activity, however, cannot be enjoyed on a bare pontoon boat for long, as the occupants burn under the rays of the sun or get inundated by rain. To derive the most enjoyment from your pontoon boat ride, you may want to obtain an overhead canopy, most popularly known as a Bimini top.

Bimini tops are named after the island of their origin, {whose fishermen are responsible for its creation to protect them from the sun and the rain}. Today’s Bimini top comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, though there are certain essential factors to help narrow down the make of Bimini top suitable for you. The two critical properties that you must determine when buying a Bimini top are: (a) the measurements of the top, (b) the material of the fabric.

The most expensive, durable, most beautiful pontoon bimini top you can purchase is worthless if it can’t fit your pontoon boat. This demands that you take three measurements of your boat. For width, just measure the space across your boat from gunnel to gunnel, with marginal extra space for the mounting frame. The top can be any length you choose that you feel will give you enough protection from the weather. Length is more arbitrary, but ideally you would want a top long enough to cover a certain average group of passengers at any given period, with additional fabric extended above if you want additional protection. Lastly, to measure height, place a plank of wood across the boat where the mounting brackets will be positioned, then measure upwards to the height that you find suitable. For pontoon boats, the perfect height for the top is one where you can walk beneath without having to crouch, for greater mobility. The height of the top may hinder boat speed, but that isn’t relevant on a vacation.

Choosing the correct Bimini top fabric concerns finding the proper balance of price versus longevity. Cotton-based tops are the least expensive, made of textiles similar to canvas, and are an acceptable option if you’re on a budget and do not intend to brave the elements often. Cotton tops are weak against ultraviolet (UV) rays, subject to leaking, and may rot over time unless put away safely. Vinyl tops are a very popular choice since they are simple to clean, tough enough to provide protection from the rain, and are normally resistant to UV rays and fungal rot. Acrylic and treated polyester tops are quite costly by comparison, but also quite formidable, remarkably resistant to scratching and fading, and strong enough for constant outdoor excursions. They appear capable of enduring the rigors of fishing in hot sun and driving rain. Acrylic and polyester would be a sound investment for the serious pontoon boater. Companies like Outdura provide exceptional original fabrics that provide the best protection for the right price.

Choose wisely. A good Bimini top often spells the difference between a relaxing time out at the lake, and being tortured by bad weather before you are compelled to rush for cover.