Bimini top for a J16

[wakerider017]

Hey guys I am looking for a Bimini Top for my J16.

Most sites recommend a 46" tall and 61-66" wide bimini. I mocked that up on my boat and I would have to really bend my knees to stand under that. Instead I was thinking of getting a 54" bimini in which I will almost be able to stand under it. (I am 6ft). Just making sure this bimini won't look goofy on my boat being to tall or anything...

Also, when the bimini is not deployed I need it to be stored very tightly all the way at the stern of the boat under the tiller handle. I can't have it covering, my livewell, rod holders, stern light, etc on my rear deck. Do you guys think I will need to get a slide rail to accomplish this or will I be able to do this with a regular bimini deck mount by positioning everything in the right place?

It is just very important for me that the bimini is out of the way when I am doing serious fishing. I would hate to loose a monster Snook b/c it got in the way. For this reasons I have been reluctant to get one, but the Florida heat is just to much to handle on a hot summer day.

[workinprogress]

Wakerider,
Bimini tops provide excellent shade no doubt, which is something we definitely need here in FL. I took my son out twice and he got so hot it took the fun out of the trip for him--definitely something I have to fix. But here is my $.02 on bimini tops on a j16. There is not enough room on a j16 to fish with a bimini top, and even when stored they eat up too much of the limited real estate on the boat. I'm sure some others will disagree and tell you they love their biminis, and I am all for everyone's right to set up their boat the way they want. I intend to purchase a big beach umbrella and stick the mast of it in one of the console mounted rod holders when we are sitting still or trolling, and stow it under the rear deck when it is not needed. It will be just as much of an encumbrance to fishing as the bimini when opened up, but the boy's comfort supercede's my fishing requirements, and when I don't need it, unlike the bimini, it will be completely out of the way.

If you want the bimini go for it, I just wanted to give you something to think about.

[Slim to None]

i never had a bimini on my J16, too big and too much in the way of fishing. i went the umbrella route as well. got myself a big sturdy beach umbrella with a handle that would angle to the side a little and slid the handle in a piece of PVC and then slid that PVC into my rod holder on my console. granted it wouldn't shade the whole boat, but when you needed a break from the sun, just sit down on the console seat and catch some shade. they also make umbrellas that attach to your fishing chairs which are pretty cool.

[wakerider017]

Ya guys that is the biggest pitfall to having a bimini on a small boat. SPACE.

I may try and mock one up out of cardboard and stuff around the house to see how much space it will consume in my boat. If I can get it to fold up and only take up 8-10" of space in the stern that will be ok with me. As you can see in the pic that will basically be dead space anyway.

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/1755/1022061jw8.jpg

[lever]

Slightly off topic, but can I ask what size deck that is in the pic wakerider? And how far does it measure from the front to the transom in the center? Again, sorry for the off topic question.

For my on topic responce, I have to say I like the umbrella idea. Alot more easliy removeable when not needed. Im sure I will be hearing about the heat from my wife we mine finally becomes sea worthy.

[workinprogress]

Here it is lever.
http://www.carolinaskiff.com/skiff/parts_jseries.html

[FoodPlot]

Several people helped me out on this one. See different pics. I also have a Bimini Top on my JV17.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x95/FoodPlot/UmbrellaHolder.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x95/FoodPlot/UmbrellaSeat006crop.jpg

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

What about one of these *laughing**laughing*


http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:fSpxFhly4TT1eM:http://mexiconuevoaz.com/contacto_file/sobrero.jpg (http://mexiconuevoaz.com/contacto_file/sobrero.jpg)

[workinprogress]

A sombrero?!?! That's funny NEM!

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

A sombrero?!?! That's funny NEM!


Funny, but it works. ;D Totally portable.