[hipshot]

The one I have is rated to 65 mph supposedly. I will say I’ve had it up when I’ve been running 30mph and had no issues as long as it is tilted forward. Can’t remember the brand right now, but it has a screw lock system in the base designed to expand in the rod holder, and reinforced “arms” to prevent wind issues.

Well, that'd be stout.............. I had no idea!

 

[Ben]

After trial and error I now wear excessive clothing while underway to minimize sun exposure and I make my daughters dress the same. I give everyone a warning before each trip because no shade is my preference for a number of reasons. While fishing, the $15 Publix beach umbrella does well in the center counsel rod holders (adjustable height to cover most angles but when it’s windy it doesn’t go up) to provide shade for the sitting areas of the boat. I tried an inexpensive patio umbrella from Wayfair in the beginnings but it just wasn’t practical because of wind conditions (very heavy and caught a lot of air). I use the Publix umbrella accordingly but do not care what happens to it because it serves a purpose and isn’t a risk (unless it flies away and impales someone). I thought about installing a bimini but I thoroughly clean the boat after every trip and usually fish solo (or with a buddy) so the thought of maintaining an optional accessory is a definite NoGo for me. But, I would love a bimini in the hotter months, especially while underway. Every boat and trip is a little different but love the ideas here.

 

[13385]

Ben,

I think you're weighting cleaning a bimini too much. My boat gets thoroughly washed everytime I use it but I never put the bimini up to do it. It has a cover for the canvas portion that zips around it while stowed so it gets spraryed down and the exposed aluminum frame gets washed with soapy water but not under the canvas. After 4 years the bimini still looks nearly new. I figure I spend all of 15-20 seconds washing the bimini each trip

 

[permitchaser]

That only applies to fishing trips. What about family sand bar hopping, spear fishing, or snorkeling/scalloping/lobstering? It's near impossible to keep coveted up like that when your jumping in and out of the water.

Doubt the bimini will cover you while in the water

 

[firecat1981]

Doubt the bimini will cover you while in the water

I think you missed the whole point there.

 

[MSG]

I had the bimini and acorn hardware on my boat - a bimini that is completely removable like this is ideal. The little corn holders are a total non issue - you don't even know they are there. However, I used to get in the habit of bringing the bimini, which laid down on the rear gunnels and rested just in front of the platform. It had ZERO affect on fishing, and you can't beat a little shade from rain or when running back on a hot summer afternoon at 2pm. I could run at 35mph with the bimini up with no problem - highly recommended - and if you want to go hard core one day - just leave it home.

 

[Sheepdog5749]

How about a custom removable top that mounts to the poling platform?

 

[Swe]

I see the point and benefits to having one but I always tell friend a quickest way to ruin a skiff is to put a Bimini on it. Joking around with them but they always seem to be in the way layed down forward or backwards on boats I’ve fished before. It is nice to eat lunch in the shade tho. I like to fly fish and keep decks clear also to be able to run gunnels around the boat without tripping over a top.

 

[Godzuki86]

Not a microskiff... more of a 21' flats boat but you can see how the bimini folds away

View attachment 69660

These are such nice boats. I looked into them before buying my skeeter. Was just to much money for me. But a very good all around boat.

 

[BassFlats]

I sometimes bring my bimini top depending on what time of the day I go out. It lays back out of the way while fishing. Like others, I'll put it up while running or hanging out to get some shade.

 

[Steve_Mevers]

After trial and error I now wear excessive clothing while underway to minimize sun exposure and I make my daughters dress the same. I give everyone a warning before each trip because no shade is my preference for a number of reasons. While fishing, the $15 Publix beach umbrella does well in the center counsel rod holders (adjustable height to cover most angles but when it’s windy it doesn’t go up) to provide shade for the sitting areas of the boat. I tried an inexpensive patio umbrella from Wayfair in the beginnings but it just wasn’t practical because of wind conditions (very heavy and caught a lot of air). I use the Publix umbrella accordingly but do not care what happens to it because it serves a purpose and isn’t a risk (unless it flies away and impales someone). I thought about installing a bimini but I thoroughly clean the boat after every trip and usually fish solo (or with a buddy) so the thought of maintaining an optional accessory is a definite NoGo for me. But, I would love a bimini in the hotter months, especially while underway. Every boat and trip is a little different but love the ideas here.

With the Acon quick release you can take it with you or leave it at home, takes less than a minute to take it off and stow it. Super nice for days when just cruising with the family or lobstering or spearfishing.

 

[ladderslug]

Bought a carver top today. Still need to get the hardware.

 

[ladderslug]

Do they sell these as individuals o

I bought a 3 bow stainless frame top from an online bimini top dealer (don't recall name). Got the top on clearance and paid about $400. I mounted four Ancon quick releases mounts, two on each side of the boat. The reason I put two on each side is so that when the top is up the mounts are near the bench seat to provided maximum shade for the seat. When I put the top down, I wanted it to lay against the base of the poling platform so I put an Acon mount more towards the bow so the top would lay flat on the deck against the poling platform. Those mounts are great, they disconnect and reconnect very, very easy. Here are a couple of pictures, View attachment 69626 View attachment 69628

r in 2 per pack.

 

[Ben]

Ben,

I think you're weighting cleaing a bimini too much. My boat gets thoroughly washed everytime I use it but I never put the bimini up to do it. It has a cover for the canvas portion that zips around it while stowed so it gets spraryed down and the exposed aluminum frame gets washed with soapy water but not under the canvas. After 4 years the bimini still looks nearly new. I figure I spend all of 15-20 seconds washing the bimini each trip

With the Acon quick release you can take it with you or leave it at home, takes less than a minute to take it off and stow it. Super nice for days when just cruising with the family or lobstering or spearfishing.

I will have to explore this more because I definitely need the shade protection for a number of reasons. My biggest concern is maintenance, hatch interference, and ability to walk the gunwales with my Fred Flintstone 14’s. The cheap umbrella works but running underway with a Bimini would be really nice. Functional and practical beats visual every time in my book...

 

[TomOfJax]

Do they sell these as individuals o

r in 2 per pack.

Are you going to mount on the top of the gunwale or the inside? I have a 1720 AC and need a bimini for my granddaughter and have been looking at the Accon flush mounts.

 

[ladderslug]

I am going to mount it to the top of the gunwale. I am going to bend the rods in as tight to the inside I can so I can still walk around. And keep it so I can get to my push pole. I am installing tomorrow morning if all goes well. I will post up what I come up with.

 

[ladderslug]

Here are final job pictures

 

[TomOfJax]

Looks great!