About that new E-Series bimini top .....

[Skysurfer2010]

Thanks @jawsf16 ......I may explore that idea. I wonder if I left it zipped up there if I could have a new, larger boot made to go over that part of the tower and the folded part of the bimini??? Hmm....

That's exactly what I did. I had a canvas shop make me a new boot. I think I paid $160. Now I just leave my bimini zipped to my tower and fold it against the tower. Then I wrap the new boot around the top of the tower and folder bimini. It's super quick now and no hassle.

I personally don't like the new biminis. I think the profile view is butt ugly. It might be practical but so is a mini van and you'll never catch me with one of those!

 

[redthumper9]

That's exactly what I did. I had a canvas shop make me a new boot. I think I paid $160. Now I just leave my bimini zipped to my tower and fold it against the tower. Then I wrap the new boot around the top of the tower and folder bimini. It's super quick now and no hassle.

I personally don't like the new biminis. I think the profile view is butt ugly. It might be practical but so is a mini van and you'll never catch me with one of those!

Do you have a picture of this?

 

[Skysurfer2010]

I can take one the next time I'm at my marina.

 

[redthumper9]

I can take one the next time I'm at my marina.

Thanks. Did you leave a hole in it for the tow point, or just wrap it up as well?

 

[Julian]

I personally don't like the new biminis. I think the profile view is butt ugly

Funny how each person's perspective is so different....I thought it looked really nice and I liked the angles it creates...

 

[Julian]

And here is an overhead of the frame:

 

[farrelltravis]

I really like the idea behind this. What I don't like is the angled-up look.

 

[Williamsone46]

I really like it!

 

[ptwb]

It is really nice how large it is. Just wish it was more foldable/collapsible for those that trailer and store in a garage.

Everything has it's good and it's bad. Looking at how much it overhangs the sides of the boat, there's another issue that comes up, dealing with the boat rocking at docks with tall posts or edges or just getting pushed into a post.

I usually have a dock post right at where the rear of the bimini sticks out the most. Would really suck for the frame to get bent taking a whack from a post or the top material to get ripped.

 

[GTBRMC]

Maybe it is an optical illusion, but it appears from Julian's post of the top view, frame-only photo, that the flare on the aft end of the frame makes the Bimini top frame wider than the widest point of the hull.
In other words, if this is the case, that might (would?) make the frame the widest part of the boat and could require a special towing permit in some locales as the widest point of the boat would then be >8'6"

Please chime in, anyone, if you think or know the above is incorrect.

 

[fraserjr]

Maybe it is an optical illusion, but it appears from Julian's post of the top view, frame-only photo, that the flare on the aft end of the frame makes the Bimini top frame wider than the widest point of the hull.
In other words, if this is the case, that might (would?) make the frame the widest part of the boat and could require a special towing permit in some locales as the widest point of the boat would then be >8'6"

Please chime in, anyone, if you think or know the above is incorrect.

I believe it's an optical illusion. If you look at the overhead pics of the 24' Yamaha boats with forward swept towers it makes them look at though the tower is wider than the boat when it fact they are within the 8'6" beam towing requirement.

 

[MikeyL]

Miss Barbie - AND myself (Does this count as two votes ???) - wanna go on record saying we love the new Tower//Bimini top combo !
Actually excited about it. It's gonna make many people VERY happy. Those that purchase 2016 242 "E" Series tower boats.
Hey ! Happy upcoming Labor Day Holiday to everyone !
Best Wishes, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[MikeyL]

I got to do a little thinking. This thread does a lot of that ............ LOL !
Anyways ....... The purpose of a bimini top is to help protect those from the sun's rays, and to provide some cooling shade.
I think many of us agree that Yamaha's new 242 "E" series top, altho without ability to "Take it down," does do that in spades - Provide good shade.

Now ............. HERE in comparison is a photo showing the little teensy-weensy bimini top provided by Chaparral on their upscale 223 VRX:

Or even their top of the line, 243 VRX:



Kinda makes ya wanna jump up and shout "NICE GOING YAMAHA !!!!!!!!!!!! Nice Bimini !"


'Nuff said ........ Let the photos do the talking.
Happy upcoming Labor Day Holiday to all ...........

Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[Dough]

Tuff crowd! Been reading about tiny tops, extensions, and so on for years. I'm with mikey!

 

[jlcj7]

Maybe im crazy but i go out on the boat to be in the sun. It is nice to have the option to put it up (as i have small kids) but i also want to be able to take it down (like profile pic) i dont want some crazy line/tan from a frame...

 

[Williamsone46]

In my opinion the VRX compares more closely to the 242/240 bimini. Where the new E Series compares more closely the hard canvas biminis on v-drives. The E Series collapses easier and provides more shade!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I like it. The only concern I have is how far the top sticks out past the rub rail. Most users won't have issues but it might cause trouble to some. Going through locks, docking next to tall pilings or structures as examples.

 

[Williamsone46]

I like it. The only concern I have is how far the top sticks out past the rub rail. Most users won't have issues but it might cause trouble to some. Going through locks, docking next to tall pilings or structures as examples.

The picture is an illusion. It doesn't stick out past the rail.

 

[MikeyL]

The picture is an illusion. It doesn't stick out past the rail.

Thank you very much for the follow up.
This is quite reassuring news.
Many Thanks and Best Wishes, Mikey Lulejian - On "that Lake in Georgia"

 

[MrMoose]

Maybe im crazy but i go out on the boat to be in the sun. It is nice to have the option to put it up (as i have small kids) but i also want to be able to take it down (like profile pic) i dont want some crazy line/tan from a frame...

@jlcj7 , if your kids are the right age, they could use the bimini frame as monkey bars if they get bored!