Four Main Reasons To Add a Bimini Top To Your Boat

You've just invested in your dream boat and can't wait to get out on the water. You got up early, got everything packed and are ready to set out on the water for a nice long day. After only a few hours in the hot sun, you find yourself overheated, sunburned, drained and ready to get off the water in search of some much-needed shade. This type of scenario happens far too often for new boat owners. Heading out on the water without proper protection from mother nature leaves you at risk of having your relaxing day cut short. 

Bimini tops are an inexpensive and easy accessory you can add to your boat to provide you with great protection from the sun and rain. A bimini cover is an open-air canvas canopy for your boat supported by sturdy metal frames that can be collapsed when not in use. Bimini tops come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and configurations to provide a perfect fit for your boat or pontoon.

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Comfort Is Key

Every boater out there hopes for a nice sunny day out on the water. However, too much of a good thing can sometimes be a bad thing - especially when dealing with the sun. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Sunscreen helps against these harmful rays, but sometimes the only reprieve from the beating sun is to find some shade.

 

Bimini tops can be raised and lowered at a moments notice to give you and your guests a much-needed break from the heat. Bimini tops are offered in many different sizes and can be mounted in various places on your boat to provide as much or as little shade protection as needed.

Protect Yourself From The Elements

Try and name a fellow boater who hasn't been caught out in the rain at least once while on the water. Sooner or later it happens to the best of us. We cross our fingers that the storm will soon pass but this isn't always the case. A good bimini top is a great piece of equipment to have when you need to shelter yourself from the occasional rainstorm. Simply pop the canopy up when it starts to drizzle and lower it right back down when the storm has passed and you're ready to resume your fun in the sun.

Protect Your Investment

Expensive components and equipment on the boat are just as important to take care of as the boat itself. Just as the sun and rain can be harmful to your health, they can also be harmful to the gear you have on board. Bimini tops are a great way to protect your cockpit from unnecessary sun damage. They also provide great shelter for other electronics or carry-ons during a rainstorm when all other storage space is taken up.

Enjoy The Best of Both Worlds

Bimini tops offer great overall protection from the elements without limiting you to a fully enclosed boat. They can be deployed in a snap when needed and can be folded down just as easily to resume open-air boating. Bimini boots can even be used during storage to keep the canopy itself protected and out of the way. 

 

Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Bimini

• Do not leave your bimini top up indefinitely. To improve the lifetime of your bimini cover, fold your bimini down when not in use. Be sure to also fold your bimini down while trailering to and from the water. Bimini boots are also a great option to store your cover and ensure it keeps working properly for years to come. 
• Do not keep your bimini top deployed at high speeds. While top speed varies for different bimini covers, the general rule of thumb is to put the bimini down if you plan on going over 30 knots (35 mph).
• Remove debris regularly from your canvas with a hose and brush to keep your canvas looking its best. Always allow time to dry before folding up for storage.
• Check all screws and straps regularly to ensure the frame and canopy are tightly secured to the boat.