I have an 18' Chaparral ski boat and love it but want a bimini top before
next season. I was looking at Overton's (they have a lot to choose from).
For my boat's width (75"), these are my choices:

- 6' length, 3-bow, 36" to 30" height
- 6' length, 3-bow, 46" to 40" height
- 8' length, 4-bow, 35" height
- 8' length, 4-bow, 54" to 48" height

The top of the gunwale (where the top would mount) is 30" above the floor.
I would like to be able to walk under the top without ducking my head (I'm
5-9), but I don't want it to be so tall it looks rediculous, and I also
don't want it to act like a parachute when I'm going 40 mph. I'd like 8'
because I want to maximize shade (the reason I'm getting the darn thing).

So... questions for any of you kind enough to reply:

1. Does height/length have any effect on safe running speed?
2. 3-bow vs 4-bow - any difference other than looks?
3. Why don't they make 8' length in the 40-46 height range? Know anybody
who sells some like this?
4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long, 40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?
5. I assume Sunbrella is preferable to vinyl?

Thanks in advance for *any* advice based on your experiences!!

Martha

On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 02:43:26 GMT, "martha lynn"
wrote:

1. Does height/length have any effect on safe running speed?

Not that much, there are lots of flybridge boats with the bimini 15
feet off the water. You do need a more rigid frame at high speed
however.

2. 3-bow vs 4-bow - any difference other than looks?

All other things being equal, 4 bows should offer better support and
more rigidity underway.

3. Why don't they make 8' length in the 40-46 height range? Know anybody
who sells some like this?

Any good marine canvas shop can make one to your specifications and it
will probably fit better than an "off the rack" model.

4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long, 40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.

5. I assume Sunbrella is preferable to vinyl?

Yes, Sunbrella is more UV resistant and durable.

4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long, 40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.


Sounds like it would be funny looking to me. Anybody ever seen one
this big and tall on a 18' boat?



Wayne.B wrote in message . ..
On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 02:43:26 GMT, "martha lynn"
wrote:

1. Does height/length have any effect on safe running speed?

Not that much, there are lots of flybridge boats with the bimini 15
feet off the water. You do need a more rigid frame at high speed
however.

2. 3-bow vs 4-bow - any difference other than looks?

All other things being equal, 4 bows should offer better support and
more rigidity underway.

3. Why don't they make 8' length in the 40-46 height range? Know anybody
who sells some like this?

Any good marine canvas shop can make one to your specifications and it
will probably fit better than an "off the rack" model.

4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long, 40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.

5. I assume Sunbrella is preferable to vinyl?

Yes, Sunbrella is more UV resistant and durable.

Here's a link to my "new" boat. It 17.5 feet - close enough.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2427409684

Amongst the pics in his ad is a front and rear view with the bimini on.

I think the bimini on this is already large enough to start looking
"strange".

-W



"martha lynn" wrote in message
om...
4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long,
40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.


Sounds like it would be funny looking to me. Anybody ever seen one
this big and tall on a 18' boat?



Wayne.B wrote in message
. ..
On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 02:43:26 GMT, "martha lynn"
wrote:

1. Does height/length have any effect on safe running speed?

Not that much, there are lots of flybridge boats with the bimini 15
feet off the water. You do need a more rigid frame at high speed
however.

2. 3-bow vs 4-bow - any difference other than looks?

All other things being equal, 4 bows should offer better support and
more rigidity underway.

3. Why don't they make 8' length in the 40-46 height range? Know
anybody
who sells some like this?

Any good marine canvas shop can make one to your specifications and it
will probably fit better than an "off the rack" model.

4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long,
40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.

5. I assume Sunbrella is preferable to vinyl?

Yes, Sunbrella is more UV resistant and durable.

http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet...OnlineShopping
http://www.cabelas.com/

Try these two places to get an idea on what's available.

Jack

"martha lynn" wrote in message
om...
4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long,
40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.


Sounds like it would be funny looking to me. Anybody ever seen one
this big and tall on a 18' boat?



Wayne.B wrote in message
. ..
On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 02:43:26 GMT, "martha lynn"
wrote:

1. Does height/length have any effect on safe running speed?

Not that much, there are lots of flybridge boats with the bimini 15
feet off the water. You do need a more rigid frame at high speed
however.

2. 3-bow vs 4-bow - any difference other than looks?

All other things being equal, 4 bows should offer better support and
more rigidity underway.

3. Why don't they make 8' length in the 40-46 height range? Know
anybody
who sells some like this?

Any good marine canvas shop can make one to your specifications and it
will probably fit better than an "off the rack" model.

4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8' long,
40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.

5. I assume Sunbrella is preferable to vinyl?

Yes, Sunbrella is more UV resistant and durable.

I'm talking about a top up high - not that connects to the windshield.

Thanks though


"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:GvZcb.593066$uu5.97125@sccrnsc04...
Here's a link to my "new" boat. It 17.5 feet - close enough.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2427409684

Amongst the pics in his ad is a front and rear view with the bimini on.

I think the bimini on this is already large enough to start looking
"strange".

-W



"martha lynn" wrote in message
om...
4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8'
long,
40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.


Sounds like it would be funny looking to me. Anybody ever seen one
this big and tall on a 18' boat?



Wayne.B wrote in message
. ..
On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 02:43:26 GMT, "martha lynn"
wrote:

1. Does height/length have any effect on safe running speed?

Not that much, there are lots of flybridge boats with the bimini 15
feet off the water. You do need a more rigid frame at high speed
however.

2. 3-bow vs 4-bow - any difference other than looks?

All other things being equal, 4 bows should offer better support and
more rigidity underway.

3. Why don't they make 8' length in the 40-46 height range? Know
anybody
who sells some like this?

Any good marine canvas shop can make one to your specifications and it
will probably fit better than an "off the rack" model.

4. If I could find one somewhere (or have one made), would an 8'
long,
40"
high bimini look odd (huge and high) on an 18' ski boat?

Sounds a little large but what the heck, it's your boat.

5. I assume Sunbrella is preferable to vinyl?

Yes, Sunbrella is more UV resistant and durable.