Bimini Top, Wrong Coast

[Dogbomb]

I stumbled across a Bimini top and side curtains for sale on
Craigslist. They are brand new and custom made for a Seafari 20.
Problem is, it's in Middletown RI and I'm over here on the other coast.

I don't suppose the top is for sale by someone on this site?
I know it's a long shot, but I wanted to check before I call the
guy and ask him if he'll ship it to some crazy in California.

Wasn't sure where to put this post. Feel free to move it if needed!
Thank you!

[SailorChlud]

Great - I have been in need of a set too, and you found them on MY coast!

I would think the curtains and top would fit in a reasonable box, but not the frame. Should be easy to ship.

Is the bimini the right height to allow you to stand at the helm?

[Dogbomb]

Yes, it's nice and tall so standing should work.
I ageee, the canvass would be easy to ship, but the
frame would be a problem unless it was the screw together kind
and could be broken down.
Whatever the case, it's a good deal for a brand new top and curtains!

[jtharmo]

I saw this too. It's been listed on and off since last year. It looks like a navy top that comes right down to the top of the windshield rather than a bimini. I recenty talked to a guy 15-20 miles up the road with another '78 Seafari like my old one. If I decide to go out there I can let you know.

[Dogbomb]

Originally Posted by SSPBill

I saw this too. It's been listed on and off since last year. It looks like a navy top that comes right down to the top of the windshield rather than a bimini. I recenty talked to a guy 15-20 miles up the road with another '78 Seafari like my old one. If I decide to go out there I can let you know.

Hey, thank you! I really appreciate that!

[bigeasy1]

Seafari from the east coast, Bimini from the east coast,Next thing you know you'll be ordering Pizza from the east coast.

[Dogbomb]

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

Seafari from the east coast, Bimini from the east coast,Next thing you know you'll be ordering Pizza from the east coast.

Best pizza I ever had was in Boston after the marathon....

[Bushwacker]

FYI - there were 2 different types of bows/mounts used on the original Seafari Navy tops and camper canvas.

The early ones like mine were mounted down on the side of the coaming just above the gunnel. The aft bow was long enough that it allowed the top to drop down in front of the windshield when folded to minimize windage, and there are a couple of vinyl straps on the coaming that secure the folded top for trailering. Later models had the bow mounted on top of the windshield wings. I'm not sure the how this top folds, but I don't think it could lay down in front of windshield because of the narrower bows; maybe it lays down on top of the windshield.

I personally prefer the earlier mounting style because it allows the top to fold down in front of windshield. If you want to add a suntop to cover the aft part of the cockpit, I'd attach it to a slider track on top of the coaming aft of the windshield to allow more options for folding it. That way when the front top is folded down, you can slide it forward and lay it down on top of the windshield, tie it to the aft bow of front top when it's up, or slide it aft and lay it down on top of the transom. If I had made my suntop about 6-12" longer, I could also unfold it and snap it to the bimini and slide it all the way forward but not open the forward bow so then it would just slope all the way down to the transom and provide a fair amount of protection for someone who wanted to sleep on the full width back seat overnight!

Be advised that you CAN'T stand up at the helm with the original navy top unless you unsip the panel above the helm which allows you to stick your head up thru the top. When my original Navy top wore out, I had new bows made for a bimini which has about 6'6" of headroom under it that allows you to stand any time. Although the navy top provided better spray and sun protection during the Bahama crossings, I prefer the bimini design for general use in Florida because of the extra ventilation it provides. If you design the bows so that the front of the bimini extends forward of the windshield it will provide pretty decent shade, and also allow you to brace the bows off the windshield as shown in the last pic. Those braces REALLY stiffen up the bimini, allowing you to use it for a handhold when walking around the side deck to handle the anchor, etc. Bimini tops tend to be sort of wobbly affairs otherwise!

Tony if you wanted to buy that east coast top, it might be cheaper to just ship the canvas part and have the bows made locally. Your boat is looking like a new one, BTW! However I'd move that VHF antenna to the port side, because it'll be in your way during docking or when you want to get on front deck quickly to handle the anchor. (The solution for that is to recruit an anchor wench as part of your crew!)

[Dogbomb]

Thank you, Mr. Bushwacker for the excellent information!
My boat has the mounts down low, like yours, so I'll aim for
a top that folds over the windshield.
I always appreciate your input!

BTW, I've been trying to figure what those little plastic eyes on the bottom
inside of the windshield are for. Can you enlighten me?

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Dogbomb

. . . BTW, I've been trying to figure what those little plastic eyes on the bottom inside of the windshield are for. Can you enlighten me?

I have no idea what they're for. Because they can rotate I suppose they're supposed to be some sort of latch to keep the windshield closed, but the glass in the windshield is so heavy that gravity does that pretty well! They also can keep the windshield from closing all the way, so I consider them a nuisance!