Custom Bimini Top Question

[Robb235]

When I bought my XR1800, it didn't come with a bimini top. I want to order a custom one to get some relief from the sun, but my aftermarket wake tower complicates things. Going from memory I think I measured ~74" between the stock bimini attachment points, but I only have 60" between the the wakeboard tower at the height where the bimini top would be when it's up. Do I order a 60" wide bimini and hope that the poles will flex out to ~74"? My previous jet boat (Yamaha Exciter 220) didn't have a bimini either, so I'm a bit clueless about these things.

 

[3 green tornados]

I custom made my own bimini for the bow area of my 212x when my wife was pregnant and wanted more shade.
It was a lot easier than I expected to modify the King Bird bimini I bought than I thought it would be. Took me longer to remove the plastic hardware it came with and replace it with stainless steel parts (I should have just left the plastic) than it did to cut, modify and mount it. The poles flex several inches easily. If you want more flex you can use an attachment like these:
White Water Taco Marine Bimini Ball & Socket Top Fittings https://a.co/d/5kbgPJQ
Hope that is helpful.

 

[3 green tornados]

You can also drill and tap the tower and mount two legs on the tower like I did to maintain the width.

 

[Robb235]

You can also drill and tap the tower and mount two legs on the tower like I did to maintain the width.
View attachment 182596

Good idea. Do you have more pictures you can post?

 

[3 green tornados]

I won’t be able to get more pictures until this weekend.

 

[3 green tornados]

Good idea. Do you have more pictures you can post?

 

[3 green tornados]

The flexibility in the bows allow each leg to adjust a few inches in each direction. It just makes it difficult to put up by yourself if you have the “blade and slot” connections as opposed to the ball and socket style.

 

[3 green tornados]

I didn’t have to cut the horizontal sections of the bows but you can drill out the rivets an make it more narrow if needed. I cut three of the bow legs on each side and the fourth I was lucky enough that I was able to adjust it but I did replace the black nylon points it came with. If you’d like to know more shoot me a DM. Good luck

 

[RobbieO]

That’s a great add on. Are all those poles a PIA to deal with?

 

[3 green tornados]

That’s a great add on. Are all those poles a PIA to deal with?

Not really. But I did lose a pin (didn’t realize lock bearing didn’t fully engage)while towing it on the freeway with both up but stowed and got a nasty little gouge in the gel coat that is to close to the tower to fix easily.
Can be a little frustrating when setting up by yourself because I made it so that it would be close to the height of the factory bimini. Totally worth the extra shade though.

 

[PortYamahaMike]

Hi I'm a Yamaha dealer in Wisconsin that has a new never used complete bimini top for an XR1800 in our warehouse. Let me know if you are interested. Thanks, Mike

 

[tater85]

Hi I'm a Yamaha dealer in Wisconsin that has a new never used complete bimini top for an XR1800 in our warehouse. Let me know if you are interested. Thanks, Mike

I would be interested in the new top if you still have it.