[shore]

Just do the valance track, it's pretty simple and would now give you the option of leaving one section of the top up.

 

[shore]

On top of the arch they use snaps BUT the main part is a long piece of metal that runs port to starboard only on the top.It is called a valance track.It has a slot in that runs the width of the arch.That slot accepts a hard rubber type tube that is sewn into the bimini.This simply slides right in the slot and the snap just make it more durable.

Just take a look at one and it will be obvious how simple it is.