Camper Canvas for 180 Bow Rider

Scottbenson

New Member
Sep 30, 2008
110
Utah
Boat Info
2001 180 Bow Rider (Biggy Nuff)
19 and 17 pitch high five and 19P 3 blade aluminum propellers
Fu
Engines
3.0 liter big bad monster motor.
Just bought an 01 180 BR with a Bimini top. I have it at a local custom canvas top making full enclosure sides, front and rear that zip on the Bimini. Anyone else gone this route and have Pics?
 
I will be doing this to my 220 SD. I am waiting on some money to fall my way! LOL!

Let us know how much they are charging you. I called Searay and they told me that my boat would be $1,390.... WOW! Oh yea, and the bow filler cushion is $800....

Just bought an 01 180 BR with a Bimini top. I have it at a local custom canvas top making full enclosure sides, front and rear that zip on the Bimini. Anyone else gone this route and have Pics?
 
i'd be curious to see what others have done as well.. for now while its on the mooring i use entire boat cover, (with bimini down).. while underway only have the bimini up.. also just got a bowtent.. which i think will work excelent.. but a full enclosure as i had on the 270 would be good.
 
Where did you get your bow tent? Overtons is sold out of them. I reall like the Yamaha tent:



i'd be curious to see what others have done as well.. for now while its on the mooring i use entire boat cover, (with bimini down).. while underway only have the bimini up.. also just got a bowtent.. which i think will work excelent.. but a full enclosure as i had on the 270 would be good.
 
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My 185 came with the bimini, I wanted full enclosure but did not want the convertible top setup, so custom made was the only way. It is worth every dollar.

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Thanks for the replies and pics. I am having mine custom built as well and should pick it up in a couple of days. Mine looks very close to the pics except I don't have as much clear vinyl on the rear enclosure. I only got vinyl on the rear window of that piece. I was quoted $600 for the full enclosure which included the front, side curtains and the rear enclosure. I am also having a bow cover and travel cover made for another $580. Thanks again.
 
My 185 came with the bimini, I wanted full enclosure but did not want the convertible top setup, so custom made was the only way. It is worth every dollar.

That is nice - great way to enjoy your boat more. I got to bite the bullet and get one.
 
The boatent i got, was from a member from another boat forum. Its made by taylor made, who stopped making them about 1-2years ago.. which is surprising, as they are pretty good.. since i am in australia, i paid a fair bit for transportation to get it here, but it was well worh it. the taylor made ones are similer to the yamaha ones, but look nicer.. the fiberglass rods are hidden in the tent so you didnt see them..
 
Where did you have your work done? Your price sounds quite good!

Thanks for the replies and pics. I am having mine custom built as well and should pick it up in a couple of days. Mine looks very close to the pics except I don't have as much clear vinyl on the rear enclosure. I only got vinyl on the rear window of that piece. I was quoted $600 for the full enclosure which included the front, side curtains and the rear enclosure. I am also having a bow cover and travel cover made for another $580. Thanks again.
 
Yeah, $600 is a lot better than what I thought it would cost. I talked to Midway not too long ago and found out how much he spent $$$$ and I gave up on the idea and was just going to stick with the convertible top. Looks like I'll make a trip to my local canvas shop and get a quote after all.
 
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If you don't mind, tell us what they quote you. I live in Royal Oak and would like to have an enclosure made for my boat. It would be really nice to have one this year as October has been kind of mild (high 60's to low 70's and sunny).

Yeah, $600 is a lot better than what I thought it would cost. I talked to Midway not too long ago and found out how much he spent $$$$ and I gave up on the idea and was just going to stick with the convertible top. Looks like I'll make a trip to my local canvas shop and get a quote after all.
 
I used a local custom canvas shop called Brians Canvas in Clfd. Utah that was close to where I work. They do mostly boat work. I just got the boat back and took some pics but do not know how to add pics to a message. (Help) The clear vinyl looks more wrinkled than it really is because it is new, just set up and has not had time to smooth out in the sun. My total price was $540 for the front, two sides and the rear. I had a smaller than normal rear window installed with an inside roll up flap to close for privacy. I also had two vertical zippers installed on the rear piece so I could roll up most of the back end for access or ventilcation if desired. Lastly, had velcro added to the inside of the Bimini so that I could make some light weight privacy curtains that I could stick up if wanting to camp overnight with privacy.
 
Figured out how to add pics. Here are my $540 camper canvas pics. It is Sunbrella fabric. I had dual zippers added to the rear piece so I could open it up for ventilation and access as well as using it with just the Bimini top with no front and sides. I also had a smaller than normal rear window made with roll up sewn in inner shade.
 

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Good looking top. Tell me there is some way to get side or front air flow through it?
 
Yes there is w way to get air flow through. On the front, the entire middle section directly over the windshiels pass through opens up with two parallel zippers that can be totally opened or in stages. On the sides, its not great, but any of the zippers can be partially opened and the vinyl pulled down for air flow. Also, I can open the rear section with the two wide parallel zippers to get front to rear air flow or just allow better access from the stern.
 
Very nice looking top. You should be able to extend your boating season by 1-2 months now! Did you think about having a screen made for camping?
 
I didn't think about a screen, but did have velcro sewn inside the bimini top all the way around so I could hang up a quick privacy curtain. I don't think we would overnight often, but it is nice to have the option. We are mostly at higher elevation lakes and so far, bugs have not been a big issue.
 
here's the enclosure on mine

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9 side pieces with windows all the way around, the big panels on the sides as well as the rear panels all have screened windows for ventilation. It came with the boat, the previous owner had it custom made from a local shop so I have no idea on the price.

Looks like you got a lot of headroom on your custom top. I was out on a bowrider with a... I think it's what's considered a convertible top... and I wasn't too thrilled with having to kind of be crouched the whole time. Mine has a good amount of clearance, but another few inches would be awesome.
 
Here in Michigan we have a lot of fishfly's and other bugs at night. A screen is a must around these parts.

I didn't think about a screen, but did have velcro sewn inside the bimini top all the way around so I could hang up a quick privacy curtain. I don't think we would overnight often, but it is nice to have the option. We are mostly at higher elevation lakes and so far, bugs have not been a big issue.
 
That full enclosure looks like a great idea. I only have 175 though. May look out of proportion. Speaking of bimini tops. The one my boat came with had a bout with the garage opening. Anyone know where I could get a new one. The canvas is fine, but the frame has met it's end. I got my boat from Marine Max and they said it would be around $550-$600. Anything out there less than that.

Also, does that enclosure just zipe onto the OEM bimini top? (after installing the zippers)

Thanks
 

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