Bimini tops can make a real difference in your boating comfort. They shade you from direct sun, and help you avoid serious sunburn and other sun-related problems, and protect you from light rain, yet allow air to breeze through. Because their design is inherently strong, light winds should have no effect them. Plus, biminis are easy to put up and collapse for storage. If rain suddenly hits, you can have a bimini up in minutes for protective shelter.

Which Material ?

There is no "ultimate" fabric for bimini tops. Each offers unique benefits.

Cotton Duck Inexpensive, but will not last as long as other fabrics due to UV degradation. Tends to leak.

Vinyl The top choice of boaters for bimini tops because it's waterproof and will divert all water to the sides of the top for runoff. Vinyls range in quality from low to very high, and are easy to clean.

Polyester This woven fabric is as attractive, but less expensive, than acrylics. Polyester tops are very strong and resist stretching so they retain their shape. They are more water repellent and abrasion resistant than acrylics, but will fade faster. We feel that they offer the best value for colored biminis.

Acrylic This top of the line soft woven fabric looks and feels terrific. It holds up extremely well to UV rays and has exceptional fade resistance and strength. However, it has a tendency to stretch and sag, and is prone to leaking. It is usually more expensive, but not as abrasion resistant.

Frames

Bimini top frames are available in stainless steel and aluminum. Stainless steel is much stronger, will not corrode, and is nearly twice as expensive as aluminum. Plus, stainless steel's strength allows you to travel with the top up at higher speeds. For saltwater applications, stainless steel is well worth the extra cost. In freshwater environments, aluminum is probably adequate for your needs and much more economical. Aluminum tubing should be anodized to resist pitting and oxidation. Tube size ranges from 1/2-1" OD; 7/8" is standard and provides plenty of strength in both metals. Whether the tubing is drawn or extruded has a profound effect on the strength of the tubing. Drawn tubing is pulled through the die process, giving it a denser consistency and more strength. Extruded tubing may have weak spots because it's pushed through the dye process.

Fittings

Fittings are available in nylon and stainless steel. Nylon fittings are the most common. They are inexpensive, relatively strong, and weather resistant. Plus, nylon fittings (which are far less expensive to replace) will break before the tubing bends in stressful situations. Stainless fittings are more expensive, but are the strongest and most durable. Coated brass fittings are inexpensive and have the metal look that some boaters prefer, but they have a tendency to corrode and peel.

Helpful Accessories

Slide tracks allow you to install the top onto the track rather than directly onto your boat so you can slide the entire bimini to different locations. This also makes it easier to fold the top down in the optimal location when not in use. Always take the bimini down for winter storage.

Storage

Bimini tops should be cleaned, dried, and stored for the winter or whenever boat is laid up for long periods. They are not substitutes for a winter cover. Storm winds or snow load can destroy a bimini in a season.