Pontoons are known for their versatility, allowing boaters to travel pretty much anywhere, but no matter your location, there probably isn’t much shade on the open water. If you’re out on your pontoon boat, without protection, you’ll be essentially totally open to the sun, rain, and even spray from nearby craft. This can make it hard for you to get the most possible enjoyment out of your pontoon, whether you’re angling, seeing the sights, or just relaxing with company. This is why many pontoon boat owners rate the bimini top as a key add-on. Bimini tops are named for the westernmost island chain in the Bahamas, where boaters first used this kind of raised canopy on their boats to provide protection from the sun.
These days, pontoon bimini tops come in many different forms to meet the pontoon boat owner’s specifications. In terms of bimini top materials, there are a number of options to choose from. There are polyester tops, poly-cotton blend bimini tops, vinyl tops, and various patented materials. Each option varies in endurance, wrinkle avoidance, and cost. In addition to that, these materials may come with mildew and UV-resistant capabilities. Tubing for bimini tops, which connects the top to the boat, is also available in a number of varieties, including aluminum and stainless steel.
The standard measurements for bimini tops for pontoon boats are eight by eight feet to eight by ten feet, with a height of about 46” to 60”. We all know that looks are important as well, and bimini tops are available in a number of colors, and you’ll probably be able to find one to match the detailing on your boat. There are a few basic configurations available: traditional, which is your ordinary square or rectangular shape; buggy-style, which has extra flaps which extend downward and attach to the pontoon railing; and extra-long, which extends past the cabin, providing added sun protection.
As well as the bimini top itself, you might want to consider looking at a storage boot, which will allow you to easily store the bimini top while the pontoon is docked, or even things like privacy partitions, or towel clips, which you can use to hang your towels or clothes from the bimini top. Some outfitters sell the various parts (fabric and tubing) separately, so you even have the choice to construct a bimini top for yourself. With all these choices available, there’s sure to be something to meet the needs of every pontoon boat owner.
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