Need shade on your Flats Boat?
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Need shade on your Flats Boat? |
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Rigid T-Top |
Bimini Top |
Fishmaster |
BimiTee |
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| Frame |
Frame is formed from a single 19-foot piece of 1.00-inch x .065-inch (16 gauge) thick, AISI type 304L Stainless polished tubing, and a (new for 2009) 42" cross bar for rigidity, using a programmable Numerical Control Bender, with AISI type 316 polished Stainless fittings orbital TIG welded to it with a Swaglok tm programmable, automatic orbital Welder | Frame is formed from 3 pieces (20+ total feet) of 1.00-inch x .049-inch (18 gauge) thick, AISI type 304L Stainless Steel polished tubing using a programmable Numerical Control Bender, with AISI type 316 polished Stainless Steel fittings TIG welded to it with a programmable Automatic Welder. | Typically 1.50-inch aluminum pipe (not tubing) with manual welds | Typically 7/8-inch aluminum tubing with set-screwed end fittings made of plastic or chrome plated zamac (pot metal). Offered in stainless as well | 1.50-inch welded aluminum pipe (not tubing) | 7/8-inch Aluminum or Stainless tubing, Rivets and Set Screws at corners/tees (assembled by installer) |
| Weight |
28 pounds | 19.5 pounds | 75+ pounds | 15-20 pounds | 75 pounds | 50-60 pounds? |
| Sizes |
21 Square Feet of Coverage 5 Sizes based on windshield grab rail width: Skinny (23-27"), Narrow (27-31"), Medium (31-35"), Wide (35-39") and Montauk |
21 Square Feet of Coverage 2 Models: based on windshield grab bar "rake" (back from vertical): Vertical model (-10 to +10 degree rake), Raked (10 to 65 degree rake) |
Kit or custom made |
Fit most boats |
1 Adjustable Size: 31.5" max width console |
4 Models: Small console mount, Medium console mount, Medium floor (H) mount, Large floor (H) mount |
| Canvas |
Any Sunbrella tm color (6 in stock) marine canvas, factory laced with 1 continuous lace | Sunbrella tm Black or Sunbrella Mediterranean Blue Tweed marine canvas | Depends on manufacturer |
Depends on manufacturer |
9 Sunbrella tm colors, lace canvas yourself in 12 separate, knotted pieces (approx. 1 hour) | Canvas is "loose" as its simply pulled front-to-back by drawstrings, not laced all-around |
| Light |
USCG approved Perko light, wired through tubing and mounted above canvas eliminates glare inside the boat. Ancor 14-gauge tinned copper, marine jacketed wiring installed through (inside) tubing, with quick-disconnect Ancor heat shrink splash-proof pin connectors to console harness (provided), so the top can be removed easily. |
No light | optional | No light | Optional light. Light NOT pre-wired & the wires are NOT run inside the tubing |
No light |
| Fishing |
All around access |
All around access |
All around access | Straps in the way for fishing. |
All around access | All around access |
| Garage |
Lowers below windshield height to fit in garage! | Lowers below windshield height (often below gunnels) to fit in garage! | Will NOT fit in garage. | Fits in garage. | Might fit in garage. The Fishmaster top does not fold below windshield level with front seat or cooler in place in most cases. |
Must remove top to fit boat in garage. |
| Raise, Lower, Remove |
Raises (and lowers) in less than a minute
by pulling (2) quick-release pins (lanyard attached to avoid
loss) and rotating forward. Remove in 5 minutes by removing the (2) front pivot bolts, and disconnecting (2) splash-proof Ancor pin electrical connectors. |
Raises (and lowers) in less than a minute
by pulling (2) quick-release pins (lanyard attached to avoid
loss) and rotating forward. Remove in 5 minutes by removing the (2) front pivot bolts. |
Does NOT Lower. Not removable. |
Raises (and lowers) in less than a minute. Remove by removing (2) Pivot bolts or pins. |
Lowers in 5-10 minutes by removing four(4) bolts (need tools?) and rotating forward Remove by unbolting pivot bolts. |
Does NOT lower. Remove in 10-15 minutes by detaching 2 rear braces, removing pins and lifting the entire top off of the frame (2 people?), remove the canvas and then stow the top by dropping it down over the console (can't get into console when stored) Remove top half from boat, leaving vertical mounted legs in place. |
| Speed |
Tested at 67mph |
No issues. | No issues |
Flimsy at high speed |
No known issues |
No lift below 30mph, tested at 68mph. Per BimiTee: "at higher speeds you can see the cover respond to the increase in lift pressure". Check out the photo, "Running Fast" |
| Trailering |
Trailer in raised position at legal highway speeds. |
Trailer in raised position at legal highway speeds. |
Trailer in raised position at legal highway speeds. | Trailer in raised position at slow speeds. Trailer with bimini down at legal highway speeds. | Trailer in raised position at legal highway speeds. | Cannot be trailered with canvas attached! Remove canvas to tow, or remove entire frame and tie down in boat (could scratch floor) or place in truck bed to tow at highway speeds |
| Rod Holders |
Optional rod holders mount forward on sides, for ease of access. Can also mount antennas. |
Optional rod holders mount forward on sides, for ease of access. Can also mount antennas. |
Rod holders, lights and antennas easily mounted. |
NO rod holders, lights or antennas. |
Optional rod holders clamp on. |
Rod holders and antennas could be mounted. |
| Install Time |
1 hour for top, 1 hour for wiring. |
< 1 hour | 3-6 hours |
1-2 hours |
3-6 hours |
3-6 hours |
| Install |
Frame is pre-wired, lighted and the canvas is factory laced onto the frame when you remove it
from its shipping container. Clamp (4) clamps on to your existing windshield grab bars using Phillips screw driver and 3/16" allen wrench. Drill NO holes and use NO wood screws to mount. |
Slide Port and Starboard Frames together on Rear Cross-Bar, Lace Sunbrella canvas onto frame with provided lacing, Clamp (4) clamps on to your existing windshield grab bars using Phillips screw driver and 3/16" allen wrench. Drill NO holes and use NO wood screws to mount. |
Must drill 16+ holes in floor of boat for mounting with wood screws or backing plate | Must drill 12+ holes in boat for mounting with wood screws (typically) |
Lace canvas onto frame. Align (using levels, squares and templates) and drill (16) 11/64" holes in fiberglass floor of boat for mounting of (4) bases with WOOD SCREWS (sixteen 11/64" holes in your floor), drilling only 1.5" deep in front and 1" in rear to help avoid fuel tank, water tank, fuel lines, rigging tubes or wiring Chamfer all (16) holes with 3/8" drill bit to help prevent stress cracking Lace canvas onto frame. Align and drill (2) 11/64" holes through Fishmaster frame and fiberglass console for Standoffs. It isn't possible to chamfer these holes for stress crack prevention, as the frame is in the way Measure length and cut (2 or 4) metal Standoffs to the correct length and install between frame and boat's fiberglass console (the "raw" end of this metal tube will be mounted tightly to your fiberglass with no protective washer) Be cautious of drilling (watch for fuel tank, tubing, fuel lines, electronics and wiring in your console) and must insure the bases are mounted to solid material without compromising the structural integrity of your boat Must have your own marine sealant, zip ties, lubricant, loc-tite, drill, long drill bits, wrenches, screw drivers, rubber mallet (?), tape measure, sharpie and a friend to help |
Align (using levels, squares and templates) and drill (16) 1/8-1/4" holes in your center console fiberglass for mounting of vertical
support brackets bases with WOOD SCREWS Be cautious of drilling (watch for fuel tank, tubing, fuel lines, electronics and wiring in your console. Must have your own marine sealant, drill, long drill bits, wrenches, screw drivers, rubber mallet (?), tape measure, sharpie and a helper |
| Boat Cover |
Standard or custom boat cover typically fits. |
Standard or custom boat cover typically fits. |
Requires after-market boat cover like the T-Top Boat Cover |
Standard boat cover typically fits. | Standard boat cover does NOT typically fit. |
Standard boat cover fits with top removed. |
| Sell Your Boat ? |
Simply remove your T-Topless and its 4 clamps and disconnect the wiring in less than 1.5 hours and install on your next boat! |
Simple remove your Shadow and its 4 clamps in less than an hour and install on your next boat! |
Permanent to boat. |
Can remove, but leaves holes. |
Permanent to boat. | Permanent to boat. |
| Cost |
T-Topless: $1,589 Montauk-T-Topless: $1,639 plus Shipping |
$973
FREE Shipping to the Continental US |
$1,600 to $2,500 plus Shipping |
$300 (aluminum) to $1,200 (stainless) plus Shipping |
$1,195, $1,290 on Ebay plus shipping Note - doesn't fit Boston Whaler 17 Montauk |
$599 (Stainless "H" mount) $379 (Aluminum console mount) plus Shipping |
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