Water and sunshine are part of every perfect day on the water. Sunshine can also get out of hand and start treating a boater like a shrimp on the barbie, and water sometimes ends up falling from the sky instead of lying obediently below our hulls. These quirks of nature get a lot easier to manage with a bimini top, a vital accessory on every open-decked boat. The best bimini tops provide handy, affordable barriers between us and the sun and rain, letting us stay on the water longer in greater comfort.
Bimini tops come in a wide range of sizes and materials, and there’s a wide price range as well. Most of them are designed to shelter the cockpit and console while leaving some space available for sunbathing, but the available tops vary widely in size, structure, and coverage. Keep your boat size, your protection needs, and your budget in mind and you’ll soon have the right bimini top for you!
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Quick Answer - The Best Bimini Tops
- Leader Accessories 4 Bow
- TAYLOR MADE Full Frame Ultima
- Carver 3-Bow
- TAYLOR MADE Pontoon
- Dolphin Pro2 T-TOP
Comparison Table - Best Bimini Top
For the best experience turn your device horizontally| Name | Rating | Type | Size | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leader Accessories 4 Bow | 3.5 | Open Deck Motorboats | 7 Sizes Available | $ | Read Review |
| TAYLOR MADE Full Frame Ultima | 4.0 | Open Deck Motorboats | 6’ Length x 42” Height x 85-90” Width | $$ | Read Review |
| Carver 3-Bow | 5.0 | Open Deck Motorboats | 6’ Length x 54” Height x 85-90” Width | $$$ | Read Review |
| TAYLOR MADE Pontoon | 4.5 | Pontoon | 96” Length x 56” Height x 102” Width | $$$ | Read Review |
| Dolphin Pro2 T-TOP | 5.0 | Center Console Boats | 82” Long x 61” Wide | $$$ | Read Review |
| Name | Rating | Type | Size | Price | Review |
Reviews - The Best Bimini Tops for Sailing
Leader Accessories 4 Bow
Specs
- Type: Open Deck Motorboats
- Canopy Material: 600D Polyester Canvas
- Frame Material: 1” Diameter Tubular Aluminum
- Size: 7 Sizes Available
Features
- Double Overlapped Stitching For Durability
- Comes With Color Coordinated Zippered Storage Boot
- Stainless Steel Mounting Hardware For Added Strength
- 12 Optional Fabric Colors
BEST BUDGET BIMINI TOP
There are cheaper Bimini tops out there, but if you’re looking for a highly affordable top that delivers serious quality, the Leader 4 Bow hits the sweet spot. The stainless steel mounting hardware and sturdy aluminum hardware provide a strong, secure frame and the main legs are double-walled for additional solidity.
The marine grade polyester fabric is strong enough to stand up to years of use, though if you want to preserve its color and strength, it’s a good idea to store it in the handy boot (included) when you’re not using your boat. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive,suggesting that this top delivers exceptional performance for its price point.
The manufacturer recommends limiting speed to 25mph while the top is up. Several reviewers report using it at higher speeds with no noticeable flapping or rattling, but you may wish to be careful if you often exceed this speed by a significant margin.
TAYLOR MADE Full Frame Ultima
Specs
- Type: Open Deck Motorboats
- Canopy Material: Proprietary Ultima Polyester
- Frame Material: ⅞” Anodized Aluminum
- Size: 6’ Length x 42” Height x 85-90” Width
Features
- Sewn-In Bow Sleeve Reduces Wind Sensitivity
- Proprietary Ultima Fabric is Mold Resistant And Urethane Coated For Durability
- Solution-Dyed Top Retains Color
BEST VALUE BIMINI TOP
Taylor Made bimini tops are available with two different fabrics: the lower priced proprietary Hotshot range and the higher priced proprietary Ultima fabric.
The Ultima version offers significant advantages, including excellent color retention, minimal stretch, and high durability. Both versions have a sturdy anodized aluminum frame that offers a wide range of installation options and includes a unique bow sleeve to improve stability in high speed or high wind conditions. Bow straps are included for extra support and strength.
Taylor Made full frame bimini tops are shipped fully assembled rather than knocked down, a significant advantage if you don’t enjoy interpreting assembly instructions! This top is a substantial step up in price, but it’s still much less expensive than some high end competitors and you can see the quality that you’re paying for.
Carver 3-Bow
Specs
- Type: Open Deck Motorboats
- Canopy Material: Proprietary Sunbrella Marine Acrylic
- Frame Material: ⅞” Anodized Aluminum
- Size: 6’ Length x 54” Height x 85-90” Width
Features
- Proprietary Sunbrella Acrylic Fabric Is The Top Of The Line Marine Fabric
- Stainless Steel Fittings For Durability And Strength
- Folds Down Quickly And Easily When Not Needed
BEST OVERALL BIMINI TOP
Carver doesn’t make the cheapest bimini tops out there, but they do make some of the best. The materials are the best available. The proprietary Sunbrella marine acrylic fabric is endorsed by The Skin Cancer Foundation for its excellent sun blockage and offers superior resistance to rot and fading.
These tops are made with extensive attention to detail. Carver manufactures all of its products in Landrum, SC, USA and has an excellent reputation for customer service and green manufacturing.
Carver Bimini tops are available in an extraordinary range of sizes, colors, and styles, many of which have separate links on online retailers. This size is a good general purpose starting point but if it’s not the size you need, search on!
TAYLOR MADE Pontoon
Specs
- Type: Pontoon
- Canopy Material: Proprietary Ultima Polyester
- Frame Material: 1” Square Aluminum
- Size: 96” Length x 56” Height x 102” Width
Features
- Proprietary Ultima Fabric Delivers Low Stretch, Great Color Retention, And High Durability
- 102” Width To Fit The Most Spacious Pontoon Boat Decks
- High-Strength Square Aluminum Frame
BEST PONTOON BOAT BIMINI TOP
Pontoon boats are all about leisure, and leisure demands time in the shade as well as time in the sun! The Taylor Made pontoon boat bimini top provides an expansive shaded area while leaving enough of your deck free for the sun-lovers to get their share.
The proprietary Ultima canopy fabric is solution-dyed for maximum color fastness and UV stability and the square-tube bright-dip anodized aluminum frame and marine nylon hardware provide sturdy, long-lived support.
This bimini top is delivered knocked down, so some assembly is required, but reviewers report that the instructions are clear and the process isn’t difficult. This is a solid, no-nonsense piece of equipment that prepares any pontoon boat for fun in the sun, or the shade!
Dolphin Pro2 T-TOP
Specs
- Type: Center Console Boats
- Canopy Material: Marine Grade UV Resistant Fabric
- Frame Material: 2 Inch Polished Anodized Aluminum
- Size: 82” Long x 61” Wide
Features
- 2” Aluminum Frame And CNC-Machined Fittings For Ultimate Solidity
- Zipper And Velcro Cover Attachment For Fast, Easy Removal
- Attaches Directly To Floor And Center Console
BEST CENTER CONSOLE BIMINI TOP
This top is designed specifically for center-console fishing boats, where it provides shelter to the boat operator without interfering with casting or rod movement elsewhere on the boat. It sports a massive frame of 2” anodize aluminum tubing, supporting an easily removable T-top that’s large enough to provide ample shade and shelter from rain.
The sleek, curved tubing looks great and provides solid enough support to grab onto. The Dolphin Pro2 T-Top supports a number of accessories, including rod holders and lights.
This top is delivered knocked down and requires some assembly, and you may wish to seek professional assistance in putting it together. Once it’s on, though, you can expect years of trouble-free service from this high quality top.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A BIMINI TOP
WHAT IS A BIMINI TOP?
A bimini top, sometimes just called a boat top, is a removable cover designed to protect the cockpit of an open boat from sun and rain. Most sit high enough to preserve a forward line of sight above a boat’s windshield.
Bimini tops come in multiple sizes and can be used to shade all or most of the cockpit or only part of it. Many boaters prefer to keep a portion of the boat unshaded for sunbathing. Some tops, known as T-Tops, are designed to shade an operator of a center console boat.
Bimini tops are most frequently used on open-deck motorboats, but may also be used to shade a sailboat cockpit. If you intend to use a bimini top on a sailboat, check the height and make sure the top will not interfere with your boom or rigging.
A bimini top has several parts.
- The canopy is the part that actually protects the cockpit. It is made of fabric, usually treated for sun and water resistance.
- The frame supports the top and connects it to the hull of the boat. Many frames are designed for quick installation and some can be folded down. Most bimini top frames are made of aluminum tubing, though stainless steel is sometimes used.
- The bows are the part of the frame that run across the boat and directly support the top. Bimini tops are often described by the number of bows they have, with 2-bow, 3-bow, and 4-bow tops the most common. Bows are also usually made from aluminum.
- Fittings are used to connect frame members to each other, to the hull, and to the top. Fittings may be made of stainless steel, marine-grade nylon, or other materials. Many bimini tops also use straps in various configurations to provide support.
- A boot, or storage container, is included with many bimini tops. Your bimini top will last longer if it is broken down and stored when your boat is not in use.
All of these parts are essential and must be able to withstand the considerable stresses that a bimini top undergoes from wind, sun, and rain.
WHAT’S THE RIGHT SIZE?
The most important part of buying a bimini top is making sure it’s the right size. A bimini top has three dimensions and all three need to meet your requirements.
- Width is measured between the two side edges of the canopy. This is not necessarily identical to the cockpit width of your boat, as the aluminum frame has some flex, but usually you’ll want a width that’s as close as possible to the width measurement between the mounting points where you will anchor your bimini top.
- Length determines the amount of your cockpit that your bimini top will cover. You may want a top that covers the entire length of your cockpit or one that covers less, depending on how much shelter you prefer.
- Height is a matter of personal preference. Think about your normal activities in your cockpit and how much headroom you’ll need!
Remember to choose a top with dimensions that suit your activities in your boat. If you do any fishing, for example, you’ll want to be sure the top doesn’t interfere with casting and rod movement.
Some manufacturers of bimini tops maintain extensive databases of boats and the tops that fit them, and some boat manufacturers may specify appropriate top dimensions. Try West Marine’s boat cover and bimini fit selector as a starting point.
CHECK FOR SPEED RESTRICTIONS
As your boat picks up speed, the airflow past the boat will begin to affect your bimini top, especially if there’s headwind or a beam wind. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for maximum speed ratings and compare to your normal operating speed. A bimini top may not suffer catastrophic failure if you exceed that speed, but frequent or continuous use at speeds above the rated maximum may create fatigue and eventual failure of any of the bimini top’s parts.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
A good quality bimini top will last longer than one of lesser quality given equal treatment, but much of what keeps your bimini top in service is the way you handle it. Bimini tops should be kept clean. Bird droppings in particular are corrosive and can damage a top very quickly.
Many bimini tops come with a storage boot that lets you roll the canopy into a secure container quickly and easily. Storing the canopy when you’re not using the boat will reduce UV damage and extend the life of your bimini top. If your boat will be out of service for some time, the bimini top should be removed, cleaned, dried, and stored, not used as a winter cover. It’s best to have a separate boat cover for long-term storage.
LEARN MORE
Boats.com has a useful guide to bimini tops. Boating magazine has an article on choosing a bimini top, while West Marine chimes in with its own advice on selecting a bimini top.
FEATURES EXPLAINED
CANOPY MATERIAL
Several materials are used for bimini top canopies.
Cotton duck is the cheapest material and is often used in low-priced tops. It has little UV resistance and tends to degrade quickly. Watch for leaks.
Marine vinyl or vinyl-coated polyester fabrics are very waterproof. They are easy to clean and higher quality tops made from these fabrics can be quite durable.
Solution-dyed polyester takes rich, bright colors. These tops are strong and resist stretching, holding their shape well over time. They have good abrasion and water resistance.
Acrylic fabrics hold up to sunlight and have great strength and fade resistance. It may eventually need treatment to restore its water resistance. They tend to be expensive.
FRAME MATERIAL
Most bimini top frames are made from aluminum tubing, often anodized using different systems such as bright dip anodizing, which produces a smooth, bright finish. Aluminum frames that will be used on salt water should always be anodized to prevent corrosion, but even on fresh water it’s a useful feature.
Stainless steel tubing is also used for bimini top frames, and may be available as an option on higher-end tops. It is very strong, resists corrosion very well, and is considerably more expensive than aluminum. Stainless steel frames provide more strength and are suitable for use at higher speeds.
FITTINGS
Fittings are small items but they play a critical role in holding frame components to each other, to the hull, and to the canopy. Less expensive bimini tops may use plastic fittings, higher end ones usually use stainless steel, marine-grade nylon, or similar sturdy, corrosion-resistant materials.
BOOTS
A boot is an integrated storage bag that allows the canopy of a bimini top to be rolled and protected when not in use. Using a boot will extend the life of your bimini top.
BOWS
Bimini tops are often classified by the number of bows, which are the frame members that cross the boat to provide stability and support for the canopy. Smaller tops may have 2 bows, mid-sized tops would more typically have 3 bows, and larger ones would have 4 bows.
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