---

I want to install a Bimini Top on my 15' Sport. What size and kind would you recommend? I want one that will fold up out of the way when not in use.

---

While you wait for responses, do a search on the subject and view the personal pages of owners who have them to see their mounting setup and how it's stowed; forward, rear, with support poles.

---

though I have a 13' hull, the interior arrangement is roughly at the same spacing. The bimini I have covers front and rear passengers just fine (another 6" or so would be better at my bimini height). You need to consider if being hunched over while standing would be bothersome. I'll measure mine so you'll atleast have a reference point to start from.
If you look at the first and last pictures of my personal page you'll see my top and modified mounting.
If you still have the side rails, you'll need to take that in consideration for storing top down. It may not be an issue but if it is you could go with the rear bimini support poles, a taller bimini or slide track mounts.

---

I can share my recent experience with a 13" Sport I bought earlier this summer for use on a lake. I was getting some seat cushions from Specialty Marine and they had a stainless bimini on sale (http://www.specialtymarine.com/STAINL...-p157.html). Figured they knew what they were doing - it was more expensive than some of the tops available from other sites on the net but I had the credit card out and gave it a go.

The pluses - this is a high quality all-stainless frame and includes angled hinge brackets to match the Whaler gunnel, optional rail mounting brackets and the rear supports to mount the top in an upright position are all included. These additional brackets alone would cost you $50. The minuses (at least for me). This is a heavy frame and on the first day my teenagers had the boat on the lake with the top up, they almost pulled it right out of the gunnel (I was using it with both front and rear straps and not the rear support arms which would have helped). The mounting instructions provided in the box were really poor - I've already given Specialty Marine feedback on this since they seem like a quality outfit. I've ultimately decided to go with a cheaper Taylor-Made bimini (about 1/2 the price on eBay) mounded on 18" sliding rails so it can be easier to position both when up and down. This is a much flimsier frame and top but if the kids decided to yank on it or whatever - the theory is that the top will shred or the plastic mounts will break off though I hope not to have to test the theory!

So my advice is - think about what you are looking for and how much you want to spend. Having both tops side-by-side there is a huge difference in the sturdiness of the frames. If I were using the boat myself, used it on the ocean where the stainless and stiffness of the frame would be a big bonus, I would mount it with the rear arms (not just with straps). If you want to fold the top, I'd invest in some quick release pins.

I have the Specialty Marine bimini for sale on Craig's list - it is pickup only in Boston area. Will not ship.
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/...84797.html

---

Thanks for the info and the measurements would be a great help Turpin......I use my boat only in salt water so stainless will be necessary in my case.

---

The Specialty Marine top is 46" High x 65" Length x 60" Wide. They claim this top will work on the 13, 15 and 17 (though I think on the 17 you can only mount it to the rails not the gunnel). Seems to be the normal height unless you want to stand up. IMHO, anything taller would look funny. I don't think stainless is required for salt water but it is just a better overall quality and sturdiness. The bigger issue I think would be the fact that the Whaler's smack a bit in the chop so something that is sturdier would be better.

---

MJK, do you by any chance have a picture of the rear support? Am I correct in guessing this is a stainless rod that supports the aft end so you can fold the whole rig back by unclipping the front strap? Thanks.

Tim

---

That's exactly right - Check the photo at the Specialty Marine site: http://www.specialtymarine.com/STAINL...-p157.html. You unclip the front straps and can fold it back and store it in the upright position.

I'm selling mine and am just outside of Boston: http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/...84797.html

MJK

---

You can do that with any top.
Just add the rear support leg along with, or instead of, the rear strap.

---

Thanks MJK - I did see your CL listing. Trying to decide whether I really want a bimini on there - they look awfully big on a 15.

---

Thanks for the replies and information. I really don't want to add this to mine but with a grandchild in the boat a lot I need to have the added sun protection.

---

Sorry for the delay, my top is 65in front to rear, 61in at the base (this width can vary a touch as you can flex the top + or - about 2in). I measured my Bimini width at both base and top and it's close to the same. The height is 40in. which gives you about 54in. of headroom.
Hope this helps.

---

Thanks Turpin for taking the time to measure and get back to me

---

I also bought the specialty marine top and had the same experience where it pulled the screws for the mouns out. that is not their fault though just that you are screwing into a layer or fiberglass with nothing behind it. I drilled out the holes and made a void to fill with marine tex. Once they were filled I drilled new piolt holes and remounted. It has been fine for a year now and love the top.