will a modern bimini top install on a 1978 Glastron?

[Neutron68]

I got a bimini top with the used 1978 SSV-177. 
It is exactly like these - snaps to the windshield and the sides and is really LOW and cramped under it. 
I got the EXACT same trailer, too.





Would a modern bimini top (taller and flatter) fit on my SSV-177 without drilling new holes for mounting brackets?
Or do I just need to get used to drilling new holes to make the new fit the old?

Eric

[MarkS]

Eric, if i could be so bold as to make a suggestion?  Soak that navy top with 303 Protectant (or Buckeye) and put it up.  They're getting really hard to find, and VERY expensive to have reproduced by a canvas shop!  Would definitely add to the value of the boat if you ever decide to sell it.

RE- newer "bimini" style tops.  The ONLY way I'd run one is if you can find one that would fit the original bow mounting configuration.  I know it would be much nicer to have the extra room underneath, but I'd think long and hard before drilling any more mounting holes!  Just my humble opinion......

[Neutron68]

I was so pleased to find some photos of the vintage bimini top I have. 
Now, I know how it was intended to be mounted. 
Last weekend I was forced to just experiment with the mounting brackets to see how it might fit.

When I got the boat, the metal pole structure was clipped into the rear plastic brackets, so when it was folded down, it would rest on the rear edges of the boat - out of the way.
When I clip the metal pole structure into the intended mounting bracket (in the middle of the boat), you can't really fold the top down and get it out of the way.  If you collapse it and pivot it forward, it rests on the windshield and blocks your forward view.  If you collapse it and pivot it backward, it rests on the seats and blocks your movement in the back half of the boat.
I guess it must be mounted just before you start your cruise and removed and stored (on the rear of the boat) after your cruise is over?

As an example, with this modern top, I think the middle poles would fit into the existing mounting bracket on the boat, but I'd have to add a set of front and back die-down loops?
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Shademate-White-Vinyl-4-Bow-Bimini-Top-8L-x-54H-79-84-Wide&i=80349

Perhaps a modern top wouldn't be any more out of the way?
I suppose I'd have to mount it before left for a cruise and then remove and store it when we were done, for the same reasons as with the older top?

Eric

[dorelse]

Boats are meant to be enjoyed...if you want a modern & taller bimini top, go for it.  Ultimately, you'll enjoy & use the boat more b/c of it...so I say go for it.

[V153]

Before you invest in a store bought bimini. Please consider your friendly local canvas guy. (He needs the money ...)  He'll build you a custom fit top to meet your requirements. Not a one size fits all "fast food" top.

The store bought crap is just that. Crap. For $399 (plus tax, shipping & installation) you get a vinyl laminate with thread that'll rot. Bows you have to screw together. Low quality straps with cheap buckles & snaps. Crappy deck hinges. In fairness you do get zippered pockets & a storage boot. But I bet the zippers are tiny one's with the cheap pot metal pulls that corrode in place.

A three bow bimini installed at my shop would cost $450. Custom fit to you'n your boat. You get Sunbrella material stitched with Tenara 'Gore Tex' thread. 10yr guarantee on the material, lifetime warranty on the thread. Bows bent from a single piece of tubing. Heavy strap material with stainless buckles & nickel plated brass snaps. Correct deck hinge for your application. A storage boot with a beefy #10 nylon zipper. A top that's superior in every way to the online, buy it now version.

Anyway. Mark is correct in referring to your current top as a 'navy' top. It's what that style is called. Attaches to the top of the windshield. I also recommend 'preserving' the hell out of it. Far as keeping the wind'n rain outa your face that's the top to have. Plus it's original. However headroom's at a premium ... 

Free standing bimini's do one thing well. Keep the blazin sun off'n yer haid. They purty much suck at everything else. Fishing around them's a pita. Watersports, nah. Hinder access & egress. Slow the boat down ...

Like Doran said it's your boat, do what suits you.

   

 

[fireman24mn]

Doug bring what you need to Red Wing. I would like you to measure my 23 for me. I want to get a Top made for the one I am restoring

[Jason]

I want a cockpit cover Doug for the 23. Yea, bring your measuring stuff.

[dorelse]

Ha, that's funny, b/c I want Doug to see if he knows of a good color match for my boat for upholstery!

[Jerry]

I took my boat down to him and he wouldn't even look at it.

[V153]

I took my boat down to him and he wouldn't even look at it.

Sorry. Didn't see ya from the hospital bed ...

As for the rest of y'all. I hadn't really planned on this being a 'working' vacation ...

Kidding.

[Neutron68]

A custom top would be cool to have, and if it's only 25% more than a generic, mass produced top, I'd do it! 
But, I don't think it's possible to get the boat to Florida (or even Red Wing) for a measurement.

Yesterday, central Minnesota got random showers, mixed with periods of blue sky and sun.  Me and my passengers got a little wet around 2pm when rain passed over the Paynesville area.  It would have been nice to be able to put a top up, at that point, but I didn't put it on the boat, due to the obstructions I mentioned earlier.

My main goals for a top are:
1. rain coverage for all passengers from the windshield back.
2. shade for all passengers from the windshield back
3. tall enough to be able to comfortably move around underneath without crawling

[Jason]

If the top does not connect to the top of the windshield you are not going to get much rain or wind coverage. A simple bimini top is really for shade only.

[V153]

Yeah you're giving the crew shade. What more do they want? Let em keep themselves warm'n dry!

Granpappy Jack liked to say, "It was never intended for the Captain's job to be that of pampering the crew ..."

[Neutron68]

If the top does not connect to the top of the windshield you are not going to get much rain or wind coverage. A simple bimini top is really for shade only.

This sounds like a situation where a custom-made top would shine - an extension down to the windshield could be designed into the top, right?

Eric

[Hyperacme]

Plastic windows like large cruisers use to enclose top set ...

[Neutron68]

All the canvas covers (bow area cover, bimini top, bimini extension) I got with the boat are so tight, they barely snap on.  I suspect they have shrunk from their original size?

Will the 303 protectant you mentioned make them relax and fit better?

I wonder if the bow area cover could be used as a pattern and be re-created?

[75starflight]

The key is to let everything warm up in the sun then it will stretch.  I have to do that with the top for my v179 every year. Just the nature of the beast I suppose.

[Neutron68]

OK, on sun-stretch.

With the protectant, do you apply it to both the top and bottom surface of the covers?

[V153]

OK, on sun-stretch.

With the protectant, do you apply it to both the top and bottom surface of the covers?

Good question. Technically. In this case you'd use 303 vinyl protectant on the outside. And their fabric guard on the inside. Because what you have is a laminate. PVC face embossed to a fabric backing.

Lay it out on some black 'visqueen' on a sunny day and saturate the hell outa it with protectant. Buff & repeat, and repeat ... Oughta relax it a lil bit. Problem with vinyl is it does eventually shrink.

Hesitate to say this, considering your existing headroom, but if worse came to worse you can knock a lil off the framework to make the top fit.