AR 230 5 Dollar Bimini Mod ( Maybe can adapt to other models ) Finished mod and final results.

[Geoff Cooper]

Shhhh don't tell my wife. As far as she knows, all projects require investments in tools

Oh so that's how you get away with it is it LOL.

 

[maboat]

Good thinking!

That Port side strap always annoyed me when opening or closing the windshield door.

Same here! Also leaning over the windshield to clip it is tough for us tall guys and almost impossible for the female first mates. This new location looks so much better than the factory location I'm already thinking about ways to do this without having to go buy a tig welder

 

[Ronnie]

I would have to enlist/draft a friend with a tig or mig welder because Even if I had a welder I don't have the skills to use it.

 

[ccrayjr]

Nice welding!

 

[YamahaForMe]

I would have to enlist/draft a friend with a tig or mig welder because Even if I had a welder I don't have the skills to use it.

Oh, I already have a $1000 mig welder that I don't have the skills to use. This is a job for a tig though....

 

[Geoff Cooper]

Same here! Also leaning over the windshield to clip it is tough for us tall guys and almost impossible for the female first mates. This new location looks so much better than the factory location I'm already thinking about ways to do this without having to go buy a tig welder

Ok lets look at the options, Firstly i would get all the bits together ie 2 x Stainless Bolts and spring washers and 2 x stainless 6m Eye nuts, Now i would then have a look in my local directory for a company that produces Security gates shutters etc they will all have a Tig Welder, Failing that local Garage workshop exhaust company, Local Marina, Someone repairs there stainless props, It's a 5 minute job so your not causing any inconvenience, Truck workshops are always a useful place to try they will have a Tig and I've always found them very obliging only to willing to help out, Forget the new securing straps you can use your old ones for now and make new ones at a later date, Ask them not to let any weld go onto the flats of the bolts as you need them for tightening.

 

[Glassman]

You can send them to me...I'll TIG 'em for ya.

OR, maybe we can source them already did ?

http://www.e-rigging.com/five-eights-inch-machinery-eye-bolt?gclid=CJzkx_TxnsUCFRSPfgodUzcAEg

not sure on the size, but somebody probably makes 'em.

 

[rkluck]

I like that web site!

 

[Geoff Cooper]

I like that web site!

Make sure there stainless, The one they show is mild steel cast self colored, There the ones i could find over here i was just concerned about the salt water getting to them so i made some stainless ones to make sure.

 

[Geoff Cooper]

Nice welding!

Thanks for that I'm no expert i assure you just self taught.

 

[Geoff Cooper]

I would have to enlist/draft a friend with a tig or mig welder because Even if I had a welder I don't have the skills to use it.

Ronnie, I'm sure there are companies around you that have a Tig Welder that they will use to weld for 5 minutes for you.

 

[Geoff Cooper]

I have been on the water for the last 2 days just checking everything to make sure there are no problems with this mod, I have left the old Bimini straps in place just neatly rolled them up and tucked them through the loop of the new strap and they stay quite secure under the front of the Bimini, You may still want to use them for wrapping around the Bimini when you collapse it and fit the cover with the Yamaha insignia after you have finished and take the Boat out of the water, I took the Boat up to 45 mph with the new straps on just for a short time to check thoroughly and had no problems at all everything remained nice and secure, I have included some Photos for you to see what i did with the old straps and also so you can see the comparison between the size of the new webbing and the old ones, Any questions please don't hesitate to ask i think i have covered everything and given the mod a good test but see what you think, Good luck.



You can see the difference in the size of the webbing the original is on the right.



I used larger swivel eye snaps also.


As you can see the old strap can be rolled up and neatly put through the new loop and then clip the original swivel eye over it
and tuck it under the Bimini it will remain there and not move.







Ok i think i have covered all eventualities with this mod and i feel happy with the results that have been achieved, I have no problem with the walk through window anymore which was always annoying with it catching on the securing strap when you wanted to open it and now i have plenty of clearance, I have taken the Boat well above the speed recommended with the Bimini in place and i can safely say i had no problems, It has had 2 days constant use and even the old straps tucked under the Bimini haven't moved so i hope you like the mod and maybe will try it for yourself it's very easy and as i have said before you don't have to make new straps the original straps can be used and just fold the excess neatly under the Bimini out of the way, I just made the new ones so you could see how to do it if you decide to have a go, Ok good luck and enjoy your Boating, It's a 6 day national Holiday here in Thailand and many locals are relaxing on the Beach with the Children, I'm off to the Islands to do a spot of Fishing and maybe think of the next mod.

 

[Glassman]

Make sure there stainless, The one they show is mild steel cast self colored, There the ones i could find over here i was just concerned about the salt water getting to them so i made some stainless ones to make sure.

Great point, SS for sure! I was just doing a quick search, but didn't have much time to find the proper part....besides, I'm not sure of the thread size.
I asked a buddy who owns a small machine shop if he'd be interested in making a bunch of these if there is an interest. Is there?

 

[Geoff Cooper]

Great point, SS for sure! I was just doing a quick search, but didn't have much time to find the proper part....besides, I'm not sure of the thread size.
I asked a buddy who owns a small machine shop if he'd be interested in making a bunch of these if there is an interest. Is there?

The size you want is 11/16 AF 1 x 3/4 long and 2 washers 2 x 6 mil eye nuts all stainless, Any DIY place should stock them and just weld them together.

 

[Glassman]

The size you want is 11/16 AF 1 x 3/4 long and 2 washers 2 x 6 mil eye nuts all stainless, Any DIY place should stock them and just weld them together.

Thank you Sir!
Have a wonderful time fishing. And be safe out there

 

[Geoff Cooper]

Thank you Sir!
Have a wonderful time fishing. And be safe out there

Thanks for that, If you cant find anyone to weld them give me a shout and i will make some more and send them to you.

 

[Geoff Cooper]

Ronnie, I'm sure there are companies around you that have a Tig Welder that they will use to weld for 5 minutes for you.

Glassman says he will Tig them for you Ronnie I've given you the sizes already.

 

[gthh]

Same here! Also leaning over the windshield to clip it is tough for us tall guys and almost impossible for the female first mates. This new location looks so much better than the factory location I'm already thinking about ways to do this without having to go buy a tig welder

I am surprised no one mentioned JB Weld ! Gotta be some Farmers out there!

I don't have a Tig but I have a Mig but I also have a tap and die set so I may look at cutting some metric threads in an eye hook if I can find one that will work

 

[gthh]

The size you want is 11/16 AF 1 x 3/4 long and 2 washers 2 x 6 mil eye nuts all stainless, Any DIY place should stock them and just weld them together.

Thank you Sir!
Have a wonderful time fishing. And be safe out there

I am glad someone knew what 11/16 AF1 x 3/4 bolt was? For the rest of us how does this translate into metric size and pitch?

Thanks

 

[Geoff Cooper]

The size you want is 11/16 AF 1 x 3/4 long and 2 washers 2 x 6 mil eye nuts all stainless, Any DIY place should stock them and just weld them together.


I am glad someone knew what 11/16 AF1 x 3/4 bolt was? For the rest of us how does this translate into metric size and pitch?

Thanks

It's not Metric it's AF ( American Fine ) that is the thread and pitch, Do not try and fit metric you will cross thread and have all sorts of problems, You can always remove the existing Alan bolt and take it with you for the supplier to check.