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Hello,

We got home with out boat, and finally had a chance to open up the canvas panels to see what we have. (it wasn't a big consideration for our deal). Many of the parts have Mills tags.

It appears we have a bimini top (its larger than a flying top) with stainless hoops and boot, plus 5 mostly clear curtain pieces for it.

One curtain appears to have provision to allow passing through it without completely unzipping, so I'm thinking rear drop curtain? The two side curtains are mostly clear, with only 12-15" of canvas along the bottom. The front curtain is completely clear.

There is also another clear panel which appears to be designed to lay against the backside of the console, as it has a cutaway for the controls, and a zipper to allow it to go around the helm, very similar to a mills console cover, which we also have.

Does this setup sound familiar to anyone?

If someone is interested, we may consider selling the whole kit as a package, or making a trade for some flying top set pieces. The curtains are in very good condition...looking like they have never been used from new. Haven't given the bimini a full inspection yet.

thanks

Mark

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Price? Pics?

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To clarify, I'm just looking to learn more about what we have at this time. An add will go in the parts for sale section when appropriate.

Is a curtain set common for a Bimini? Does tha Mills bimini usually have zippers for side curtains? Was this an available kit back in the day? Or is it likely something custom?

I apologize for my misleading opening post.

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Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Maybe.

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I have a similar set up. There is a tonneau cover for the bow area with side and stern curtains and a windshield.

The sun top is Mills and I think the rest was custom by a previous owner.

Con

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The Mills tags will have numbers on them Those are the part numbers and you can look them up on the Wm. J. Mills. & Co. website to see what they are:

http://www.millscanvas.com/frame_inde...index2.htm

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As far as I know Mills does not call anything a Bimini......

1. SunTop
2. FlyTop

The FlyTop has zippers for the other add on pieces.
Forward Shelter, Side Curtains, Aft Curtain, etc....

Also, the SunTop does NOT have any zippers that I have ever seen. It is a SunTop only......


Here is a photo of the FlyTop in use on my Outrage 18'.
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrag...utrage.jpg

Here is a photo of the FlyTop, Forward Shelter, and Windshield on my Outrage 18'...
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrag...ngtop2.jpg

Here is a photo of the larger SunTop without any zippers to add anything else... Just the SunTop on my prior Outrage 20' which was identical to the SunTop on my prior Outrage 18' that I used to have. No Zippers......
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrag...suntop.jpg

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Thanks everyone. We're being threatened with some mild weather later this week...so I may get the chance to set it up and snap a few pics.

I could see using the sun top by itself, but doubt I'd ever use the curtain set.

I'll get photos, confirm all tags and so on, then go from there.

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I agree with Joe 100%. I have never seen a Mills "Sun Top" with any zippers for curtains. If you have a Sun Top with zippers AND a Mills label, someone else added the zippers.
Mills never offered optional curtains for the 18 Outrage Sun Top.

I suppose there is a remote possibility that the owner had Mills do some custom work and make the curtains, but unless the curtains have Mills labels, consider them all locally made aftermarket stuff.

The Sun Top is great if you need fair, warm weather protection from the sun, but underway in the rain you will get wet, and have (cold) wind in your face. The Flying Top system is for all weather protection.

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When you get some pics, give Gus a shot at it. He has been looking for as long as I can remember and is deserving of first consideration.

Like you, I would have no use for this option but there is someone here who will. Thanks for thinking of us!

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I wouldn't sell it until you try it in some inclement weather and see how it works for you. You may decide that you can't live without it. There is a list a mile and a half long for updates, repairs and upgrades for my 25' Outrage Cuddy, but the first major thing I did was have a custom weather shelter, windshield and flying top made for the boat. On my 18, I would never leave harbor without at least the shelter, top and windshield aboard the boat. It will likely be the same with the canvas on my 25.

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The Flying top, windsheild and forward shelter set is what I want too! I've spent literally hundreds of cold mornings running in 15' and 17' bare hulls when I used to guide in Campbell River... Wind protection is a must on the coast...but this sun top may be good here on the lake.

Will get it together and get some pics as soon as I'm able.

cheers

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I had a very similar camper/foul weather canvas set made for a previous Non Whaler. There is no question about the value of these shelters unless you happen to be a fair weather boater or fisherman. I carried all that stuff in the boat for 5 years and used it one time. It was expensive to have made and an absolute PITA to set it all up and snap it all in and then unsnap and stow it when I got back to port.

Those who will use it will appreciate it but there are many who will never use this stuff and it just rots and takes up valuable space. I just spent more time on my Montauk removing all the snaps and repairing all the holes than I ever spent setting this canvas system up when I had it. To each his own!

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I just bought a 1971 Katama with some new canvas pieces which I am learning the names for in this thread. I have the "fly top" and the "forward shelter" but missing the windshield piece that fits in between the two. If one of you guys could take a picture of (just) that clear piece I'm missing it sure would help me get a new one made up. Apparently the P.O. (died, poor guy) had the stuff made up at the state prison near here and they have no patterns or even a record of it. They want a diagram and pictures of what I have, with measurements, but I have my doubts since I really don't know what the missing part looks like.

I may sell it too, after it's all done since we are fair weather boaters (so far). Thing is it really doesn't take up much room folded forward on the braces. Plus it's unique, at least on this lake (Winnepesaukee in NH).

Regards,
Bill