Bimini top "birdbaths" -- is there a fix?

[guy48065]

That's an illusion--they're the same size.

I did try moving the bows around to see if it would stretch out that sag, but nothing changed.
The only thing that would tighten up the center was to force the inner bows away from each other, towards the outsides. But if course they don't stay that way. The tension of the fabric pushing down keeps the inner bows positioned against the inside of the zippered sleeves.

I cut a "strut" from grey PVC conduit and notched the ends to snap in place and force the inner bows apart & raise that sag up.
It's a "fix" to my particular situation, but far from ideal. If left in place eventually it would chew a hole in the sleeves.

IMG_20210530_194145.jpg (458.42 KiB) Viewed 4270 times

[Rick McC.]

Get some nylon straps and use them to pull the inner bows out towards the outer bows.
It’ll be easy to do, and won’t wear holes in the top skin like the PVC will.
I’d put the strap material over the top edges of the bows, wrap them around the outer side of the bows, and secure the ends to the bottom edge of the bows with a screw and washer. One on each side of the sleeves around the inner bows will be easy, but it looks like you’ll need to make cuts in the full length sleeves along the outer bows in the appropriate places, I’d spend a couple of bucks and have a top maker or seamstress hem the edges of the cuts. Or; you could just fudge things a bit, and attach the outer ends of the straps directly to the bottom edges of the outer bows, and screw through the sleeves into the bows.

[guy48065]

I had emailed James at Pontoonstuff about my fit issues and he's offered to send me a replacement frame.
Their cover ought to fit their frame perfectly.
Now THAT'S some customer service!

[riplipper]

unfortunately, most tops, once stretched with water will never be any good again.

[guy48065]

unfortunately, most tops, once stretched with water will never be any good again.

Based on what experience?
All the people chiming in with "yeah I've had that exact problem"?

[riplipper]

My experience has been that once the fabric has been badly stretched out of shape, that stretched material Never goes back to what it once was.
But that has just been my experience.
Maybe I just have bad luck and you don't? Or I could just be a dumb ass.

[guy48065]

James sent me a new frame which I installed last weekend. The bows have considerably more arch to them than the fairly flat frame that my pontoon came with. The extra lift in the arches filled in the fabric and now it fits tight all over, not just around the perimeter.
Problem solved.

IMG_20210610_225954.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 4229 times

[Rick McC.]

^^^^ Is that the pic you wanted us to see?
If so; why?

[steve1313]

^^^^ Is that the pic you wanted us to see?
If so; why?

Looks like that's the new frame on top and his old one shown beneath it, clearly showing the increased arch!

[guy48065]

Seemed clear to me--the photo illustrates my description.
:

[Rick McC.]

^^^^ Is that the pic you wanted us to see?
If so; why?

Looks like that's the new frame on top and his old one shown beneath it, clearly showing the increased arch!

OK; thanks, that makes sense!