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Here is a question everyone can ask themselves about sun tops.
What holds the top down?
Answer:
The 4 straps...
Here is just one example:
In 1996 Whaler changed the mounting for sun tops on the Montauk series and mounted them on top of the gunwales using sliders. The sliders do not stop the top from blowing away, the 4 straps do.
The frame of the canvas keeps the top up so it doesn't collapse in on the occupants.
The 4 straps keep the canvas from blowing away.
Yes, the strapss really are what holds the whole bimini down, when the bimini is in the "up" position. The strength of the hinge mounting bracket arrangement does not need to be nearly as strong as the strap eyelets, since it merely holds the bimini hinge brackets in position when the bimini is "down". But, it does need to have at least some degree of strength so as not to pull out in normal use. The use of rails under the bracket provides the ability to have additional fasteners (sheet metal screws?) perhaps in combination with with adhesive, when mounting on the gunwale where this is no underlying wood as is the case for a Classic 15. But you don't need to have rails for a good, sufficiently strong mount. My 15 came to me with the bimini brackets attached directly to the gunwhale. Each brackets is attached with two Stainless M5 machine screws, each screw threads into a ""Wellnut" insert that fits in a 3/8" dia hole. Pictures on my personal page show where the bimini hinge brackets are mounted. Another WC member here kindly identified for me the correct terminology for the "Wellnut" insert, when I needed to replace one. I found them readily available in small quantities through ebay.
I used small blocks of wood w/ 6 SS screws and "5200" adhesive. I had the same concern when I got my "Bimini", unfortunately there was no "W/C" around at that point in time to ask. You can see them on my "Personal Page".
