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Bimini top mod for Pulse 170 thread

JW

JW

Moderator
Staff member
I did some searching tonight. One of my 'top tier priority' mods is to add a good quality bimini top to the Pulse. My Four Winns had one, and now I won't pull tubes all day without a good bimini.

I checked several of my boat-parts web sites, and found Overtons has the best so far. I built a 73" wide by 6' long by 46" high bimini using Sunbrella fabric with aluminum frame and the optional rear support poles and it all came to $360 shipped. EDIT: This week Overton's is having a sale on shipping, so the price is just under $300!

Anyone found a better place for biminis?

Thanks!
 
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JW let me know how the bimini top works for you. I need to add one for my pulse as well. Overton's was the best one i found so far too.
 
Will do. In fact, I'll probably do a 'how-to' article on here to help anyone else looking for a bimini and needing help with the installation.
I went to the Taylor Made Products web site and tried to build up a bimini, but they don't offer red fabric :confused: I sent them an e-mail.
 
I went ahead and hit the 'GO' button!

Overtons is giving $0.08 shipping on any order above $75 so I ordered from them today.

Item #29795. Sunbrella 3-bow Bimini Top, 6' long, 73"-78" wide, 46"-40" high. Red fabric. In stock according to Overtons. Should be here in 3-6 days.
Order came to $296.87 with 8 cent shipping and $16.80 sales tax.
Let the modding begin!!
 
Jw,
How are you going to mount the 6' length. Are you going from the windshield to the back seat or more centered on the boat?
 
Width: I measured to the windshield frame side-to-side first because that's how my Four Winns was. The main mounts were on top of the side window frame each side. I came up with approx. 68". Then I remembered Four Winns has very narrow sides, which maximizes interior room, but leaves no flat fiberglass area to mount things. That's why they used the window frame. So I went back and re-measured and found quite a bit of room available between the side window frames and the grab rails. (My 171 didn't have the SS grab rails, this open bow does). I measured approx. 76" for the width now, 1/2 the distance between the side window and grab rail.

Length and Height: My Four Winns bimini top was about 6' long for that 18' boat, and gave me 6' 2" head room (I'm 6' 4"). I thought 5' would be right for this 17' boat, but when I got to re-measuring and guesstimating, I found a 6' would work even better. 6' measures from the back of the rear seat to about the front of the windshield. It'll cover the entire cockpit and leave the bow open. I decided to have the stored bimini lay (lie?) across the back seat top cushion/rear bulkhead, just in front of or on top of the ski pole mount. I chose 46" height because that'll give me over 6' standing height again. Also, this height will allow the bimini to rest atop the back bulkhead OR store forward on the top rear of the bow seats just in front of the windshield.
PERFECT!
 
I gotcha!! I wanted my top to cover the cockpit as well. My wife and son are fair skin so i need alot of shade for them, if not they would look like lobsters.:D So what you've got will work for me too, since we both have the same boat. I'm only 5'-9" so i might go a little shorter.
 
If you can go shorter, do it! The lower the top, the better the sun blocking. The only disadvantage to going lower is the choice of storing forward or rearward though. The lower bimini won't allow you the length to store in front of the window, it would store 'on' the window.

Another option I had a heck of a time deciding. For $40, you can order a pair of rear support poles that would hold the bimini folded and stored in it's boot up about 4' in the air at the back. I had to do that with my Four Winns, as the bimini stored on the back seat cushion. I decided against it for the Pulse because I can store on the rear bulkhead (and I cheaped out).
 
Once i order mine, i'll decide then whether or not to lower the height. I like the idea of storing on the bulkhead behind the back seat. I'm looking forward to some pictures of yours once you get started.
 
Jw somewhere you talked about a bow cover as well. I assume you get that custom made. How would you attach it, snaps maybe?
 
sounds like a gd price and set up . i got one from cabelas but i returned it it was to high n wide . i wanted to mount it on the grab rail ,no holes in the deck , but it wasnt lining up right
 
cmpulse170 said:
Jw somewhere you talked about a bow cover as well. I assume you get that custom made. How would you attach it, snaps maybe?
Click to expand...

I will order the bow cover from Mike or Kip at Checkmate. Yes, you do have to add snaps to the 'glass around the bow area but it's well worth it. When I ordered the bow cover for the Pulsare, it came with everything you need to install the cover except the drill and bits
 
zstevens said:
sounds like a gd price and set up . i got one from cabelas but i returned it it was to high n wide . i wanted to mount it on the grab rail ,no holes in the deck , but it wasnt lining up right
Click to expand...

I also thought about the rails, but was worried about the small area it provides for support. I don't mind putting holes in my fiberglass deck, heck, it's a USED boat :D
 
JW said:
I will order the bow cover from Mike or Kip at Checkmate. Yes, you do have to add snaps to the 'glass around the bow area but it's well worth it. When I ordered the bow cover for the Pulsare, it came with everything you need to install the cover except the drill and bits
Click to expand...
make sure to countersink your holes or youll get thoes nasty spider cracks:thumb:
 
Yep, counter-sink and/or run a larger bit backwards, and I also use a dab of 3M 5200 on the screw threads to help seal and hold the 'glass together above/inside/underneath.
 
i bought some rail jaw clamps ,i think thats what their called, @ overtons , $30 hing open w/allen screw nut to lock in place and my mounting point is close to the deck support of the rail. i agree w/ you on "new boat" theory i just was goin for clean simple set up !
 
Didn't think of that, great idea! And probably a lot stronger than the high density nylon standard mounts that come with the bimini.

And I understand that 'clean' boat setup! When I used to build my dream boat, it wouldn't have any grab rails or snaps or anything in the fiberglass. I wanted a completely smooth boat. Later on, I got one used that had the SS grab rails, and I really liked how they helped with docking. And then I added the bow-cover, which put the snaps on the 'glass. And then a bimini, which adds more hardware! So I guess I slowly switched from dream boat clean to utility boat messy :rof:
 
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