Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Okay so here goes my first silly newbie question for you experienced folks....

My new Harris Cruiser is on it's way to the dealer and we are pumped! It has the standard 8'6" Bimini top. I am already concerned that we might want more "shade" but am unfamilar if that size will be enough? We are pretty much at our maximum budget for the toon, but I am wondering if I should be talking with the dealer (MarineMax - LOTO) about putting on a full Bimini top? Also I have no idea what something like that would cost? My other idea and question for you guys is there a simpler cheaper alternative for those days when I might want more shade? Pop-up shade awning of some type...shade sail...etc? Thanks for any input!

the only thing that bother me about say a double bimmi is that it makes fishing an casting harder.

Talk to your dealer to find out if a second matching bimini is available for your boat thru Harris parts.

Try out your boat as it's delivered. Then, if you feel more shade is warranted, go ahead and purchase the second bimini.

Additions are usually less expensive when the boat is new. With a bimini, you want the exact matching parts/colors, etc.

When I get my new boat next year, I'm dumping the OEM bimini and replacing it with the Schwintek 10' electric bimini from Pontoonstuff.com--$999. The ceiling on my boathouse is just a little short to leave up a bimini and get the boat hull completely out of the water.

Mosnowman, check with MarineMax about a factory second bimini. I didn't do it for the Bennington because I think the price was ridiculous, something north of $1k. Ours is 10' (I think Premier uses an 11' top).
Being at LOTO myself, I know there are times of the day when a second top would be great, but we just suggest everyone lather up with the sun screen.
I think there was a thread on here last year about a second top and someone had purchased one that could be put up and taken down fairly quickly. You might do a search in the General forum.
Welcome to the forum. There are some great folks here with some fantastic ideas.

We just have one and that's all we have ever needed, on all 3 of our toons. I guess if you have a large crowd all the time you may want another Bimini, otherwise I don't think you will need it.

Dont know if I would have done this if I had a brand new toon but my is not new and this worked like a champ. I took 1" conduit half clamps and mounted two on each side in three locations along the front of the toon. I took 20 ft 3/4" pvc and measured and cut till it was exactly the same height as my bimini in a horse shoe appearance at the three locations. I then bought a 6 ft x 9 ft white tarp (they had lots of other colors but I chose white for max reflection of sun). We put it over the frame and tie it down to the sides with bunge cords. It may be pretty red neck but it works really well and there is lots of room under it. It also has worked well when under way. Takes about 5 to 10 minutes to put up and take down. When not in use the pvc (which on mine measure 17 ft 4 in) slides into the braces on top of the toons and stores very nice.
We are also looking forward to using it when we sleep on the boat. Our sleeping area is under the orginal bimini top and stays dry but everything that is stored in the front at night would get very damp from the heavy dew. I am sure this will fix that issue.

Your best cheapest alternative is one of these AnchorShades (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... rchID=4006), We have one and it provides alot of additional shade when you want it! It is easy up and down.

We have one of these. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/produ ... navAction=

Put in our front table base and tie wings to rails. It covers most of front seating area.

Bamaman wrote:......Try out your boat as it's delivered.....

I agree with this, especially with a tight budget. I have owned 2 toons and never had an issue with needing/wanting a double bimini but we don't do a lot of sitting (mainly cruising). There are usually a few people on the boat that want to be in the sun and while cruising, the area covered by our bimini will seat 3-4 comforably plus the driver.

Double bimini is good if you aren't fishing, but terrible if you are. Heck, even one bimini is tough for fishing. I almost lost my spanish mackerel when it swam towards the back of the boat, and I had to weave my rod throught the bimini straps. I bought on of those umbrellas that lakerunner has and it works pretty good. You can take it to the beach too.

I still like my umbrella.
We have a 10' Bimini that covers most of the cage but I only put it on the boat when we have a bunch of sightseers.
The umbrella goes up and down in seconds and covers us.

there are only a few things i would add to our pontoon as it is pretty much perfect for us as is (still just a pontoon to the kids). one is a double bimini. we bought used so it wasn't an option. even with the enormous single bimini from premier, there are still days where we'd love the extra shade.

These were all some great ideas! I was hoping fredeboy might have a photo of his shade idea. I am working on a homemade pvc shade idea that I think everyone will like. I will post some pictures.

I just installed a second top on my Bennington. (Write up here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21540). I kinda got tired of everyone fighting for a seat under the bimini.

The top cost me like $500 and another $120(!) to get the mooring cover altered to accommodate it. I do not fish, nor do I allow fishing off my boat, so fishing is no problem for me. Waiting on the rain to stop to actually try it out on the water, but its nice and shady sitting on the trailer.

Tim

This is what we do for shade. Works surprisingly well!