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Hello All,

Has anyone installed a bimini on a Montauk 17? Looking at the wood diagram, there doesn't appear to be any wood in the logical spot for mounting the hardware to the boat.

Any pics would be appreciated especially with the bowrail.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Jim

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The early models had the bimini inside the boat.

From approximately 1996 they started mounting them outside the boat and used sliders on top of the gunwale.

I always preferred the bimini outside the boat.

Here is one I did for a friend:
http://users.sisqtel.net/blewis/Monta...ntauk.html

The bimini is out of the way and outside of all the railing.

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I agree with Joe I have mine on a sliding rail that once set up you never move at least I don't. mine is mounted on the first flat spot going up the gunnels only one inch wide +or- there. If on the out side the extra inch or two would make a big difference to me... as I'm easer to go over than go around, attempt at humor there.

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I also agree. Mine is 6' x 6' and is mounted outside the rails. I used it in a fixed position for the last 3 years and folded it to the rear. After my redo it will be mounted on slides to fold forward and stow just as the pics that joe linked to. Pics of mine in the fixed position are on my personal page. Good luck

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I agree w/Joe about having the frame outside the rails. We decided on a semi-fixed stern bracing (2 screws & it lays down, 4 screws & it's off) w/straps forward. You unzip the bimini cover, unwrap the 2 straps, walk it forward & clip-clip you're ready to roll. I'm 6'4" and have plenty of headroom and you'll see it goes almost from the stern over the cooler seating area. There's no sliding it forward to lift it up over the bowrail, it's not in the way or cover the bow lights, etc. (what we used to have). Take a look at our personal page to see the general location of the components to use as reference points for measuring your own. It just depends on how much coverage you want. Good Luck.

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Well Thanks for the quick responses guys!!

I guess I should have mentioned my boat is a 1999 and I definitely would like the bimini to mount outside the rails.
I like the idea of a track to slide the whole thing forward so
I could lay it down it front of the bowrail. Again, am I correct
in saying there doesn't appear to be any wood at the very top of the gunwales? At least not in where I think are the right spots.

Jim

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You are correct in probably no wood there, or not all the way along the top of the gunwale anyway.

Doesn't really matter.
The top is held down with the 4 straps like most any other top.
All the track does is keep the position of the rail in place where you lock it.
All pressure from the top is downward on the slider as the 4 straps are keeping the top from pulling up.
All the slider does is allow you to move the top forward and aft and keep it in the upright position of your choice along that slider.

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They do make mounts for the rail. This way no holes in the side. I did this with the my 73 Montauk and it worked well. BG

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My bimini folds to the back. I do not like this. I wonder if I can simply take up the rails. Turn the entire thing around and start folding to the front?

Can anyone with a 17ft or 18ft whaler take an above picture so we can see where you mounted your rails?

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Look in my first post above for the link to a 17' Montauk.

You can see the sliders in a couple of the photos.

My Outrage 17' was mounted to the rear. I never did like that so I changed it.

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Looks good. Im gona change mine up to this week.

What did you patch your old screws holes with after you took up ya rails and switched folding directions?

P.S. That 22 foot Outrage cuddy is awesome...

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I filled some holes with wood plugs and epoxy.

The slider covered these holes so they were not seen but they were waterproof.

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ahhhh, wood plugs. Thats an important thing to know. I would not have thought of that since im new to this fiberglass repair.

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Joe: Is the slider hardware something you order from the Bimini supplier?