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03-26-2018, 11:31 AM | #1 |
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What have pontoon owners done about this?
We have the usual Bimini top which covers the mid to aft of our 22’ tritoon.
I know there are plenty of double biminis on toons out there which pretty much give shade to the entire boat. Our dog likes to stay away from the aft because in general, motor noises stress her out a bit so she stays near the bow, usually in the full sun. I’d like to get her some shade toward he bow. Other than $pringing for a full front bimini, what have others done to give bow passengers some shade? Alternatively, has anyone installed a more economical front Bimini that has worked for them? |
03-26-2018, 01:22 PM | #2 |
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Is this for use while underway? If so, I think the only thing that would work would be a framed bimini. If for use while anchored, I've seen sheets and those Easy Up things used.
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03-26-2018, 02:15 PM | #3 |
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Yes, while underway. When the motor's not running she goes all over the boat. Bad choice of words...lol She traverses all areas of the boat...
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03-26-2018, 02:24 PM | #4 |
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Hill,
Not sure what kind of dog you have but we have a lab and she always manages to find some shade somewhere in the boat on hot days. It could be up against one side or the other of the bow bench seating or even on the seat depending on the direction of the sun. Sometimes she gets under or around or between the Captain’s seat and the helm. What we do make sure of is we keep her wet on hot days by using one of these.... https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It works great and my dog loves it! If you have a small dog maybe just spanning a large beach towel across the forward seating so your pooch can get underneath on the floor...just a thought. Dan
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03-26-2018, 04:24 PM | #5 |
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Perhaps bring her "bed" with you and place it at or near your feet (or your wife's feet). Might make her feel more secure.
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03-26-2018, 04:45 PM | #6 |
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Add a table?
Maybe you could add a table to the front lounge area similar to those typically mounted near the helm.
Sink a base up front, get maybe a squareish table to provide doggy shade and additional beverage parking?
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03-26-2018, 05:05 PM | #7 | |
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03-26-2018, 05:08 PM | #8 |
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03-26-2018, 05:12 PM | #9 |
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I like the table idea...we could drape a towel over it to create a large shady spot! Thanks! Can always use table space too as we keep a folding one on the boat all the time.
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03-26-2018, 05:23 PM | #10 |
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03-26-2018, 08:17 PM | #11 | |
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How about an open dog crate wrapped in a breathable sun shade for your pooch? Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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03-26-2018, 08:19 PM | #12 |
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03-27-2018, 01:15 AM | #13 |
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I would just absorb the expense and buy the front bimini. I don't know anyone that regretted adding shade to a boat, it's money well spent and will keep your vinyl and carpet in better shape too.
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03-27-2018, 09:54 AM | #14 | |
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I kick myself in the rear, for not going and getting some additional canvas made for my boat, early on... At the time I figured I wasn't going to keep the boat long enough... in hindsight, I have kept the boat, and even if I hadn't I probably would have gotten more use out of the boat, and would have been able to pass a bit of the cost off to a new owner..... investing in your cruising comfort, or the comfort of you pet... will lead to more enjoyable time on the water... can you put a price tag on that?
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03-27-2018, 09:57 AM | #15 |
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Anyone know what the approximate cost would be? I can't stand the look of the super long biminis, but the extra shade would come in handy.
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03-27-2018, 11:00 AM | #16 | |
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This is one reason I was posing the question here, hoping someone had simply installed one on their toon on the front of the boat. If no one has done this I would probably bite the bullet and buy one and just install it on my toon. The thing is finding one that matches mine somewhat in frame and color. One thing mine has that you don’t see in the aftermarket ones is the black anodized aluminum frame. Having a mismatched aluminum colored frame wouldn’t bother me too much. They seem easy to install, it’s just taking a chance on the purchase and hoping you can retrofit it on your toon and have it function properly. When I was at Meredith Marina, I inquired with the salesman there (where we bought the boat) on buying a factory one and he was very wishy washy on how it could be done...I recall him saying you could get a frame then have the fabric done at a local canvas shop. My toon has no trailer so the logistics of that seem prohibitive cost wise. I never pursued it any further but you would (think) you could just buy the whole factory setup and be done with it. On another note, the factory frames are welded to the rails so perhaps that was the rub? The aftermarket ones simply attach to the rails with hardware....decisions decisions.... |
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03-27-2018, 11:04 AM | #17 | |
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03-27-2018, 11:08 AM | #18 |
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03-27-2018, 11:42 AM | #19 | |
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03-27-2018, 09:07 PM | #20 |
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Open-bowed boats used to rig "dodgers" to avoid spray in the very front without entirely closing in the bow. This item would serve for shade, as well- looks like a little tent. I bet having one made for the purpose expressed would cost less, and be more serviceable than a full front bimini.
Google dodgers or bow dodgers. |
03-27-2018, 09:29 PM | #21 | |
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03-28-2018, 05:46 AM | #22 |
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I started to post yesterday and then though front access would be a problem.
My thought was a railing height canvas across the first 3 or 4 feet of the bow. It could easily be made with color matching canvas and snaps on the existing bow rail. The dog's bed could be placed under it in the shade. I would construct it so that the canvas did not come down over the sides of the boat so that air would flow freely underneath providing ventilation. If you constantly have large crowds or use the bow for egress then that would be in the way. |
03-28-2018, 06:36 AM | #23 |
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That's my problem.......we use the bow rail door a lot because it's the easiest access from our dock. A standard bimini frame covers the door. Also have a forward leaning sport arch which complicates things
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03-28-2018, 08:10 AM | #24 | |
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03-28-2018, 08:46 AM | #25 |
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Bimini
I originally had a forward bimini on my previous Premier. I never liked it and rarely used it so I removed it from the boat.
I will say adding a forward bimini will require (at least to do it right) a zipper installed in the existing helm / bow bimini. If there is not enough material in the existing bimini to add zipper, you will either have to sew on added material or replace the existing bimini as well with one that has zipper. My opinion is... if the boat is fairly new and you plan on keeping it for a while and if you plan on using the forward bimini while underway, don't mess around with aftermarket and get something from the manufacturer. While you may save going aftermarket, I feel the end result will not be the best. If your not getting answers from the dealer where you bought it from, don't be afraid to call the manufacturer direct for info. While you can't buy direct, you can certainly find out what the manufacturer has available as an option for your boat. If your boat is sold with a "camper enclosure" option, they make a bow bimini for it. Sometimes doing your own leg work direct from the source is the only way to get the correct answers. Good luck! Dan
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03-28-2018, 09:19 AM | #26 | |
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03-28-2018, 09:51 AM | #27 | |
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Godfrey Pontoon Boats 4500 Middlebury Street PO Box 1158 Elkhart, IN 46516 Phone 574.522.8381 Fax 574.522.5120
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03-28-2018, 10:23 AM | #28 | |
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I sent an email to them inquiring about the double bimini. |
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03-28-2018, 10:36 AM | #29 | |
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Good Luck! Dan
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03-28-2018, 10:55 AM | #30 |
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option
It might be as simple as a Umbrellas or different form of it. I just Goggled boat umbrellas and came up with a number of sites. I have one and its fairly simple to set up. I use mine in the bow. Its really only made for anchoring. West Marine has one similar to mine. I presently do not have any Bimini cover. Thinking about getting a custom one. On my boat I have one cover that came with the boat that goes from windshield to stern. I would use the snaps that are on my windshield as one anchor point for a bow shade.
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03-28-2018, 10:58 AM | #31 | |
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03-28-2018, 11:50 AM | #32 |
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Got a quick reply from Godfrey and this is what she said:
Good afternoon, Unfortunately, here at Godfrey manufacturing company we are not set up to sell factory direct. We recommend checking with a Godfrey dealer or with your local marina. Another option would be to check aftermarket. Please see below for some links that might be helpful. http://pontoonseats.com/ http://www.pontoonstuff.com/ http://www.overtons.com/ http://www.westmarine.com/ http://www.iboats.com/ http://greatlakesskipper.com/ www.pontoonfence.com Thank you, Pontoon Customer Service P: 574-522-8381 F: 574-522-5120 E: cortiz@godfreymarine.com Godfrey Marine Some other options to check out that I didn't see online... |
04-01-2018, 02:49 PM | #33 | |
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In addition, you have been given MANY suggestions on this thread alone. Perhaps someone can stop by and display samples on your boat? |
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04-01-2018, 03:21 PM | #34 | |
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I’ll expect report on your progress on a bi-weekly basis until the job is completed! Thank you in advance! |
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04-01-2018, 03:57 PM | #35 | |
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04-01-2018, 07:04 PM | #36 |
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04-03-2018, 06:33 PM | #37 | |
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The canvas shop at Melvin Marina might be able to help you, and can measure your boat at the dock. Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
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04-03-2018, 06:42 PM | #38 | |
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04-25-2018, 09:29 AM | #39 | |
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Here Ya Go!
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While I do not have a Bimini Buddy, I do actually have some of those clamps shown that hold the Bimini Buddy to the rail, "Koala Clamps". They are extremely well made and very strong. I also found an in depth review for the Bimini Buddy here... http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtop...+clamp#p200960 Looks pretty well made with Sunbrella fabric available in various colors... Dan
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04-25-2018, 09:38 AM | #40 | |
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Unfortunately, the Bimini Buddy people are no longer in business. I emailed them through their website contact form and no reply recently. I had emailed them when I first got the tritoon a couple years ago and the guy actually answered me saying they were having “production problems” and were taking a year off from production. Not sure where this will end up but “no reply” from their contact form is not a good sign. Not sure why their website is still up...I have tried contacting them again...I'll update if I hear anything. I will not buy one from their website unless I hear from a human there...the site actually appears that you can purchase one online. I don't trust this to be true knowing they were having problems. |
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04-25-2018, 09:59 AM | #41 | |
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https://smile.amazon.com/Koala-Clamp...s=koala+clamps
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04-25-2018, 11:05 AM | #42 | |
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