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Bimini Mounting
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 4:14 PM
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My Bimini top (purchased from Specialty Marine) came loose (the middle stainless hinges) from the gunwale on my 1976 Sport 15. I had it mounted using stainless wood screws and 3M 4200. No surprise it came loose since there is no wood located in the areas where the hinges are mounted. I remounted the hinges with larger screws (#10 instead of #8 that came with the Bimini) and 3M 5200. I suspect it still won't hold long-term and I'm considering re-mounting the hinges using well-nuts as outlined by Mills Canvas for their 13/15 Sun Top. My questions for the group are:
1) Are there other who have mounted their Bimini's the Mills Sun Top way http://www.whalercentral.com/download...owstart=15- I expect the answer is a resounding yes?
2) If so have you had any trouble with the Bimini coming loose?
3) Are there any particular tips or pitfalls using the Mills method?
4) Does anyone have a source for the 3/4" x 10-32" Well Nuts (Mills part number 16-1607-00) described in the Mills installation instructions? (3/4" x 10/24" brass/rubber well nuts are commonly available at my local Home Depot but I would prefer stainless if available).
Thanks in advance for the groups insight.
Bill
Edited by wlagarde on 08/08/14 - 4:16 PM
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| Joe Kriz |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 4:44 PM
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I don't understand how that hinge came loose.
The top is usually held down by the 4 straps, front and rear, and not held down by the hinge.
The strap hold downs are on the inside of the vertical gunwale wall and usually do not pull out either.
I see on your personal page that you so not have the rear straps but instead have ridged uprights which many boat also have. I could understand those rear ones coming loose but not the center ones.
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| jw0287 |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 4:56 PM
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i don't quite understand exactly which part came loose based on your description (no fault of our own, im not familiar with bimini tops).
why don't you mount in on the rails?
you get more head room, and the rails are secure in wood already.
plus you could slide it around with the rail mounts.
if i ever install the ugly side rails on my 16 custom, then ill install an ugly bimini top as well on those rails, for shade for my kids
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 5:09 PM
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Joe Kriz wrote:
I don't understand how that hinge came loose.
The top is usually held down by the 4 straps, front and rear, and not held down by the hinge.
The strap hold downs are on the inside of the vertical gunwale wall and usually do not pull out either.
I see on your personal page that you so not have the rear straps but instead have ridged uprights which many boat also have. I could understand those rear ones coming loose but not the center ones.
Joe I know I was surprised too. Both the fore and aft hinges have come loose from side to side wobble of the Bimini from the boat moving over wakes in the water etc. Since the hinges are stainless and not plastic they have no give and so the Bimini places a lot of stern to port back and forth rotary torque on the hinges.
Edited by wlagarde on 08/08/14 - 5:09 PM
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 5:10 PM
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jw0287 wrote:
i don't quite understand exactly which part came loose based on your description (no fault of our own, im not familiar with bimini tops).
why don't you mount in on the rails?
you get more head room, and the rails are secure in wood already.
plus you could slide it around with the rail mounts.
if i ever install the ugly side rails on my 16 custom, then ill install an ugly bimini top as well on those rails, for shade for my kids
True but not as nice of an install from my perspective. If I didn't already have holes in the gunwale I might consider switching...
Edited by wlagarde on 08/08/14 - 5:11 PM
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| gchuba |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 5:20 PM
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For the stainless well nuts web search "Robert Smallwood of Lightning Stainless". I wanted to go with 316 stainless for bolts, nuts, washers for a project. He might have what you are looking for. Good luck with the project.
Garris
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| gary0319 |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 6:01 PM
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It looks like you could install some tracks in place of the single mounting point. I have tracks on my Dauntless 15 and they not only spread the stress better than a single mounting point, they make for much easier stowage of the bimini when folded down. Just a thought...
1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60 |
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/08/14 - 6:04 PM
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gary0319 wrote:
It looks like you could install some tracks in place of the single mounting point. I have tracks on my Dauntless 15 and they not only spread the stress better than a single mounting point, they make for much easier stowage of the bimini when folded down. Just a thought...
I have thought of that approach and it is attractive. Can you send me some closeups of your track system. Any input from the group on this approach would be appreciated - pros and cons.
Thinking on this option a little more I could replace the aft hinges with eye loops and place the fore hinges on short tracks. This way I would have the extra strength of the tracks which would also allow me to stow the Bimini folded all the way down and aft without hitting the motor rigging (a problem since raising my motor up)
Edited by wlagarde on 08/08/14 - 6:21 PM
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| gary0319 |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 1:37 AM
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I'll try to take some pics of the tracks today and send them to your e-mail. When my bimini is up, I have it tracked all the way back, but slide it forward so it rests on my casting deck' ahead of the motor, when folded down.(see my personal page for pics when folded down)
Gary
1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60 |
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 3:38 AM
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Gary - Thanks for sending the pictures. Are your tracks stainless?
BTW - Very nice boat.
Edited by wlagarde on 08/09/14 - 5:44 AM
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 5:45 AM
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Does anyone in the group know of a source for stainless tracks?
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| Phil T |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 7:45 AM
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I don't see many manufacturers offering them.
Carver, Westland, Taco all offer aluminum.
The Mills bimini on my Outrage 17 came with stainless steel tracks. The aftermarket bimini on my Montauk 17 included aluminum tracks.
While stainless steel would be nice, aluminum would be fine and less expensive.
In reviewing the download, I personally, would NOT use the well nuts. I don't think they offer enough strength to hold the hinge. I say this having had my bimini tracks ripped out on several occasions (Montauk and Outrage) due to rough seas.
I would suggest using the hockey puck method for adding reinforcement to the hinge or track screws.
Edited by Phil T on 08/09/14 - 8:01 AM |
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 8:06 AM
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Phil T wrote:
I don't see many manufacturers offering them.
Carver, Westland, Taco all offer aluminum.
The Mills bimini on my Outrage 17 came with stainless steel tracks. The aftermarket bimini on my Montauk 17 included aluminum tracks.
While stainless steel would be nice, aluminum would be fine and less expensive.
Thanks Phil. Would really prefer stainless. I'll try calling Mills to see if I can purchase a pair. If they are cost prohibitive I'll go with alluminum. Is one of the 3 brands above superior in your opinion?
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| gary0319 |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 5:09 PM
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wlagarde wrote:
Gary - Thanks for sending the pictures. Are your tracks stainless?
BTW - Very nice boat.
Yes, they are stainless tracks.
1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60 |
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 5:56 PM
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gary0319 wrote:
wlagarde wrote:
Gary - Thanks for sending the pictures. Are your tracks stainless?
BTW - Very nice boat.
Yes, they are stainless tracks.
Excellent - Where did you get them? Did they come with the boat? Is your Bimini a Mills?
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| gary0319 |
Posted on 08/09/14 - 6:08 PM
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wlagarde wrote:
gary0319 wrote:
wlagarde wrote:
Gary - Thanks for sending the pictures. Are your tracks stainless?
BTW - Very nice boat.
Yes, they are stainless tracks.
Excellent - Where did you get them? Did they come with the boat? Is your Bimini a Mills?
No idea where they came from. They were on the boat when I purchased it 2 years ago. Bimini canvas was made somewhere in michigan, don't know the manufacturer. Probably not be the original canvas.
1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60 |
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| Tom C2 |
Posted on 08/10/14 - 8:49 AM
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If you find stainless slides please post your source. I looked for them several years ago when I had a Montauk and now I would like to have them for a 15ft. I am restoring. Good luck. 1988 15ft. SS / 60 Johnson
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| gchuba |
Posted on 08/10/14 - 9:37 AM
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For fun (before working on the boat, more fun) I plugged in a generic "stainless steel 316 track sliders" as a generic search for the bimini track. View the images in that search. Looks like there is something available that you can adapt or use.
Garris
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| wlagarde |
Posted on 08/10/14 - 9:56 AM
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It is amazing stainless tracks aren't commonly available.
I may leave the hinges I already have installed but reinforce the way they are mounted. I was planning to replace my rub rail. While I have it off I could install reinforcing stainless plates threaded or with nuts underneath the deck. Another option is to use small wood blocks. It would require cutting into the edge of the gunwale but it could be fiberglassed and would be covered by the new rubrail.
Thoughts from the group?
1976 Sport 15 w/ 2005 50hp Nissan 2 stroke |
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| gary0319 |
Posted on 08/10/14 - 11:54 AM
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Found a complete 23" stainless bimini slide mount kit on e bay fo $49. Don't know anything about the seller, but states the kit is new for a tracker boat. I believe the manufacturer is Dowco (sp?).
1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60 |
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