Lowering height of bimini top

[Don_Juan]

I want to lower my bimini about 8" so it's low profile. I have read other posts, but I'm still unsure of how to maintain the geometry. If I cut all three bows, it will leave the center tight and the sides loose. If I cut the main (rear) bow, I have to slide the jaw slide for the front bow up because it's already against the top of the rear bow end mount. Isn't this going to leave the top loose on the sides too? Am I stuck needing to having the canvas re-fit for this to work?

 

[Don_Juan]

I wanted my top look more like this.

 

[c_land]

Can you just add a longer canvas? It would make it longer, but wouldn't that bring down the height too?

 

[mjc]

I was told you really have to remake the whole thing to make it right. For all the work involved it can be cheaper to replace the whole thing.

 

[coolchange]

Cut the rear(main) and the front. Put an alignment mark on the two bows so they finish in the same place on the stack when folded.
Mark the main cut for the height you need.
Then the front for new hinge location.
Reassembled to see where you need to Taylor it. Probably just tighten up below the radius

 

[Don_Juan]

I was told you really have to remake the whole thing to make it right. For all the work involved it can be cheaper to replace the whole thing.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking .... I'll need to have a completely new top made. Only $$. LOL

 

[coolchange]

Why would you remake the frame? They just cut new hoops same width but shorter.

 

[sintax]

You can lower them, but only so much without having to redo everything. My bud had his deck boat all redone, and it was so high it looked like a pontoon with a roof. He was only able to drop it a few inches, but it does look better

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Contact 2 FF , he just did it

 

[2Driver]

IMO walking around bent over gets to be a pain in the ass If it’s too low. I had a low profile on the Ultra and one I could stand under. I never put the low profile on again. It wasn't as cool looking I’ll give it that.

 

[C_J_J_C]

I have done it twice. The key is maintaining the up attachment points so you don't need to redo gel. In my experience all three bows needed to be cut different lenghts. Cut the rear first and move forward. Both times I just added new down storage attachment points and kept but abandoned the old locations. Cheaper and easier.
My only advice is have the tallest person in your group stand up and add two inches to your new low height. My wife hated the low profile bimini and I hated hearing how much she hated it.
The older I get the more function rules over fashion.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

As great as mine looks up, it’s a pita to get in and out of the boat with it up, the last boat i started in the middle cut 2” out then adjusted the rear then front. All in all was able to bring it down about 5-6” in head height and make it look more flat, vs radiused. The current boat I’d love to figure out how to extend it, but it’s also a pocket bimini.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

As great as mine looks up, it’s a pita to get in and out of the boat with it up, the last boat i started in the middle cut 2” out then adjusted the rear then front. All in all was able to bring it down about 5-6” in head height and make it look more flat, vs radiused. The current boat I’d love to figure out how to extend it, but it’s also a pocket bimini.

You are kinda hosed with a pocket or hideaway bimini that stays attached. Mine is as well. Only way to make it longer is to make it taller, and then it sticks further into the engine bay, and provides no more shade unless it is high noon, because it is higher up.

I just clip up an extra towel to add shade while we are stationary.

 

[azsunfun]

i was able to modify my frame, your limited on lowering,, i was only able to get 4 inches. 2nd on towels when stationary , i made curtain that wraps contiuosly around cabin to sun deck.

 

[$hot]

I want to lower my bimini about 8" so it's low profile. I have read other posts, but I'm still unsure of how to maintain the geometry. If I cut all three bows, it will leave the center tight and the sides loose. If I cut the main (rear) bow, I have to slide the jaw slide for the front bow up because it's already against the top of the rear bow end mount. Isn't this going to leave the top loose on the sides too? Am I stuck needing to having the canvas re-fit for this to work?

pic Of yours?

 

[Don_Juan]

Cut the rear(main) and the front. Put an alignment mark on the two bows so they finish in the same place on the stack when folded.
Mark the main cut for the height you need.
Then the front for new hinge location.
Reassembled to see where you need to Taylor it. Probably just tighten up below the radius

The problem with shortening the bows is that it leaves the center tight and the edges loose. Not sure how you could tighten the material on the sides unless you had the material trimmed and re-sewn at the front and back radius' ?

 

[Don_Juan]

IMO walking around bent over gets to be a pain in the ass If it’s too low. I had a low profile on the Ultra and one I could stand under. I never put the low profile on again. It wasn't as cool looking I’ll give it that.

Understood, but the wife and I just get in, sit down and go. We don't walk around in the boat. A lower top provides more shade. If I had a deck or pontoon, I can understand being able to stand under it.

 

[Mike K]

I have been wondering about this for years .... so many of us do things for looks … and live with the negatives … it’s kinda a tradeoff … I wonder if any Bimini company has lowered a Bimini a few inches without a ton of hassle ?

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Why would you remake the frame? They just cut new hoops same width but shorter.

correct,.... the problem when lowing is the center hoop,... that and the radis on the front and rear sewing,... the easy one are the ones the have extra leg by the mount..... I lowered the one on my hallett 210 about 14'' looks like a roadster top now..... full shade all the time.... and you can climb out front or rear with out removing the straps

 

[28Eliminator]

Nope… having to crouch down to walk around, not gonna happen, I don’t care how gay it looks .

If your putting looks over usability, I would seriously re-consider. It
Will get old fast.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

 

[coolchange]

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That’s Really low.

 

[Riverryder]

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This is exactly what I want for my boat!!
You still have this hallett? Or you just get it? See one of the rooms next to it.

 

[2FORCEFULL]