Source for Bimini Top for 1996 200 BR

[ssstw1]

Does anyone have a recommended source for a bimini top for a Sea Ray 200 BR, 1994? The boat just came to us, and have the mooring covers for the bow area and rear, but it is the type that attaches to the windshield and is simply too low to use while on the boat. Looking for a raised on that can be used while driving the boat (speeds less than 20 MPH). I have searched and found a lot of sites, hoping for some recommendations of quality sites / good service / ease of install / specific fit to this boat / etc.

Thanks in advance.
Scott

 

[Lazy Daze]

Try Carver Covers. When someone comes into the store asking what you are, that's where we get them from. Quality product and good company. They come with all hardware for various mounting spots.

If you don't get it from a company like Carver (who may already know what tops fits your boat), then follow the guidelines below:

You'll be getting a 6' long top and need to know (2) measurements:

1) Mounting width. Where the main bimini leg goes will be about smack dab in the middle of the opened top. Figure out where you want the 6' of coverage, then find the middle point (3') of that 6'. That's where the leg will mount - measure your width.

2) Bimini height. This is how high you want the bimini to be. Measure the distance from the floor to your mounting width spot. Use that measurement to add onto the various options of bimini heights available to give you your total height.

Lastly... options. Things such as rear support legs (so the bimini stays in the upright position when not opened), SS fittings upgrade and fabric choices.

If you get the rear support legs (good idea), you'll need to get your cockpit cover cut to go around the (4) bimini legs. Otherwise, you may/may not need to take the bimini on and off when you use your cockpit cover - it depends on how tight the cover fits and whether the bimini can be lowered onto your engine cover and still have the cockpit cover snap down.

Read this about drilling into gelcoat/fiberglass to avoid spider cracking your gel: http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17850

 

[ssstw1]

Thanks - that is a site I had not found previously.

Do you know of a source for Bimini tops with the curtains so I can get rid of the cockpit cover completely? I have done a few of the "enter your make and model..." sites and none show an option for this boat for a "camper top" though the 1995 version of the boat does... I think it is the same boat... any ideas there for the boat being the same 1994 and 1995 or a source for bimini with curtains?

 

[Lazy Daze]

It won't matter - curtains are not something you're going to want to buy from a company on the internet - even if you did find them. Your best bet here is to have them made locally. You'll need to get zippers sewn into the bimini (I'm not sure if Carver can/will do this, but either way it's still better to have the local upholsterer do that).

Unless your plan is to keep the full enclosures up all the time, it would be best to just use your cockpit cover. Putting up the enclosures will take more time than the cockpit cover. Plus, you're now putting a lot of money out for something that really won't net you anything on resale.

And don't get wrong about bimini companies - I'm not saying Carver is the ONLY one you should consider - I'm sure there are others that are just as good. I just know that they are a good, reliable, company from lot's of experience.