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Boat Top / Enclosure - Any Way to Make ?

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:56 am
by glastron876
Okay - I have been looking for plans/designs/how-to-make sites on Boat Tops / Eclosures.
Does anyone have any info on where I can find stuff ?

The thing is that I can get the material and build it myself, much cheaper than buying one custom made as I have an older boat and the top would have to be Custom made. And I don't want to spend 250-300 bucks on one.

If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.

RE:Boat Top / Enclosure - Any Way to Make ?

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 1:20 pm
by jmay
99% of good bimini tops are made from Sunbrella fabric. www.outdoortextiles.com sells it. You also need rot proof thred. Unless you have a industial sewing machine I think I would pay the $250 for a professional. You have to also allow for strech, its not a shadetree job.

The White Elephant in Spokane Valley sells some prefab one's with the tube aluminum for only $110.00 I have a 10 foot by 4 foot one on mine boat and it works fine.

RE:Boat Top / Enclosure - Any Way to Make ?

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 1:28 pm
by bigastrout
jmay wrote: Unless you have a industial sewing machine I think I would pay the $250 for a professional. You have to also allow for strech, its not a shadetree job.
I totally agree. The skill and equipment need to complete a job like this make it next to impossible to for a shadetree job. I think if you can get it done professionaly for 250-300 dollars your getting a great deal.

RE:Boat Top / Enclosure - Any Way to Make ?

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 2:33 pm
by glastron876
Thanks for the suggestions fellas - appreciated, truely

I have a background in Upholstery among other things - just have a hard time shelling out that kind of money for something that I know I can do myself...if you know what I mean...just looking for plans, etc., to make things a bit easier and less time consuming.

However you guys may be correct - time spent making it would be time not fishing...

Thanks again.