Hard top biminis

[henryk]

I'm in a process of outfitting the boat and bimini is on top of the list .
I looked at tens of different biminis and didn't really like what's available out there . My preference would be a hard top with canvas sides . Been researching the net for a while , but can't fined producer of such .
Any ideas or pictures will be highly appreciate.
Regards
Henryk

[Sunspot Baby]

Unless they are an option on a new boat, most biminis, hard or soft, are custom built. You local sail maker/canvass shop could fabricate ribs and canvas and local boat yard probably has craftsman who could fabricate the top you want.

A friend just built his own but he is pretty good with fiber glass.

George

[svTOTEM]

Tartarooga in Sydney BC is building/installing a hard top, soft side dodger for our Stevens 47. It's a very nice looking product with a lot of attention on details. Excellent quality! TARTAROOGA (tm) HARD DODGERS

[AnchorageGuy]

Here are some photos of the hardtop on Sea Trek. It is made of starboard on an aluminum frame with a lexan windshield.

"Sea Trek"

[Wildrice]

Hello Sea Trek

Good looking top, what thickness is the starboard and can you stand on it? thinking about doing the same to Windigo.

Keith

[Rangiroo]

svTotem how much is that costing you for the Stevens 47?? We have a Stevens 47 as well....

[AnchorageGuy]

Keith, The starboard is 1/2" and yes I can walk on it. But that is more a function of the frame although the board would only sag a bit if not well supported and you walked on it. Depending on the size you need the stuff only comes in 4X8 sheets so we had to have two sheets "welded" to achieve the size.

[Vasco]

Chuck,

How did you find the Starboard for weight? I though that stuff was pretty heavy.

[svTOTEM]

Rangiroo - $4,500. Spendy, but we will be in the tropics for some years. Considering that Sunbrella (other soft top options) rot within several years, I think it's worth it.

Features of note:
Molded FRP, with curved edges to increase the stiffness without increasing weight (several people can stand on it). Also the curved edge hides the top edge of the soft side, keeping the water out.

The soft sides have removable Lexan windows for great air ventilation. The window design also allows them to pop out (inward) to relieve the pressure of a big wave impact. I can attest to the importance of this feature. When I sailed Totem from San Francisco to Seattle in June, a boarding sea shredded one side of the existing dodger (admittedly the Sunbrella had spent the last 5 years in the South Pacific). Another nice detail is that the bottom edge (of the soft side) is scalloped between the attachment points.

[gettinthere]

consider this...much lighter than a real hardtop but more durable than a canvas top.
WAVESTOPPER.NET
I've only talked to one user and he was very happy. No personal connections.