The aluminum structure of my bimini is fine, but the canvas is pretty shot. I'm guessing it's the Suncat/CP-H bimini accessory frame. It definitely looks like that of other SC owners in the pictures.
Who has replaced their bimini canvas? Any recommendations?
It's my impression that because every frame and boat are slightly different, most people get new canvas from a local shop who can measure the boat or the old canvas. I used A&J Canvas in Grantsboro, NC. They supply all the canvas to the local Grady-White factory (and individually measure each and every brand new G-W boat). The price was reasonable and they did a nice job. Old School though - don't go looking for a web site, Facebook page or email address. Telephone, or knock on their door.
Wes
I paid for my daughter's plane ticket home from Montana and in return she sewed me a new bimini top using the old one as a pattern. She also sewed new interior cushions. I paid for the materials.
If you know someone who sews, or there is a sewing club in your town, that is a good place to start. You may also try putting up a flyer at a fabric store.
Good point. The Sailrite web site has a wealth of videos about measuring and sewing your own bimini cover.
Wes
I actually have a Bimini frame for a 2012 SunDay Cat with canvas, in excellent condition, that I never plan to use. I hate to throw it away, thus it adds to the clutter in my garage. If you still need one I?m glad to donate it if you can figure out a cost effective way to handle the shipping. As you can imagine it will take a rather large bulky package. Just let me know. Bub
I should have been clearer. What I have is the Bimini Canvas Top attached to the aluminum Frame. I do not have a zip up cover for the top that several folks have mentioned but the canvas top itself is in very good condition.
Hope that clears things up.
Bub 🇺🇸🏴🏴🗽🥃
Quote from: Bub on June 15, 2021, 11:03:11 PM
I actually have a Bimini frame for a 2012 SunDay Cat with canvas, in excellent condition, that I never plan to use. I hate to throw it away, thus it adds to the clutter in my garage. If you still need one I?m glad to donate it if you can figure out a cost effective way to handle the shipping. As you can imagine it will take a rather large bulky package. Just let me know. Bub
I'm wondering if you might have a serviceable cover or tonneau. I just pulled the as yet never-used-by-me bimini off my 2001 CP16/3 "Foundling", and while its canvas seems remarkably tip-top, its zip-up cover and a couple of its webbing attachments look like they may have been stored since the Coolidge Administration in a groundhog's lair.
I've tried emailing the manufacturer listed on a tag within, but having no joy with that. Just silence.
I do have a nearby neighbor who does boat canvas work, but if you still have a serviceable cover, maybe it might fit mine?
On a related matter, one reason I've never used the bimini is that I can't get my head around how one might get the mainsail boom to clear it if it were opened. I have no such issue on my Macgregor 26X. I do seem to recall seeing some sort of screw-tightened clamp doodad that fit into the main mast's sail track to hold the boom higher, but never got around to measuring the one that might work for me. So, any guidance would be most welcome.
I got a replacement for the zip-up Bimini cover ( I forget what they properly call it) from Com-Pac a few years ago. I don't recall what I paid but it was reasonable and easier than finding someone to custom-make it. And it fits right. Give them a call.
Quote from: DanM on June 20, 2021, 09:20:18 AM
I got a replacement for the zip-up Bimini cover ( I forget what they properly call it) from Com-Pac a few years ago. I don't recall what I paid but it was reasonable and easier than finding someone to custom-make it. And it fits right. Give them a call.
A "boot"
Thanks! I'll give Hutchins a holler about a replacement cover.
I talked to CPH last week, seeing if they did replacement canvas. They did not. Knowing that they outsourced the bimini work, I asked who they used, hoping to get a new bimini made to fit the Suncat bimini frame. They said, "we have a supplier in St. Petersburg." Crickets afterward, and no response when I asked who it was.
I asked how he thought I, a long way from St. Petersburg, should proceed. I was told to find someone to make a new cover locally or else I could buy the whole thing, frame and all, from them for $600+.
I bought the bimini option with my new eclipse. Next time I go to the boat I can look at the tag and let you know who made it. That said I suggest going with a local canvas shop. While quality of work is excellent on mine, the fit is terrible, no way to get it to stretch taut everywhere. No matter how I adjust it I'm left with large wrinkles.
Fred
Renae. I would think any good canvas shop would be willing to measure your frame and make you a new one. Can the old one be used as a pattern? Down here in NJ, canvas shops are plentiful most good, some not so some researching may be in order before you proceed.
My boat cover guy even drove 1 hour from his shop to measure for a winter cover for my 15' CLC Skerry, a rowing and sailing dingy and it fit perfectly. Let me know how this works for you!
Bob23
I was up to the boat today and checked the bimini. There is a tag but it doesn't have the makers name on it.
Sorry.
Fred
No worries, Fred. Thanks for looking.
See my modified comments above
Bub
My 2004 Eclipse bimini appeared to come from JSI, Inc, St. Petersburg Fl. I believe they were the supplier to Hutchins for a very long time. JSI is now https://www.islandnautical.com. They may have a pattern and help you.
Good Luck!
Vectordirector
Quote from: Renae on June 21, 2021, 02:21:20 AM
I talked to CPH last week, seeing if they did replacement canvas. They did not. Knowing that they outsourced the bimini work, I asked who they used, hoping to get a new bimini made to fit the Suncat bimini frame. They said, "we have a supplier in St. Petersburg." Crickets afterward, and no response when I asked who it was.
I asked how he thought I, a long way from St. Petersburg, should proceed. I was told to find someone to make a new cover locally or else I could buy the whole thing, frame and all, from them for $600+.
I may not have been clear earlier. I have a complete Bimini and frame in good to excellent condition. It came with my SunDay Cat that I bought used a couple of years ago. If you think it will fit your SunCat I?ll be glad to donate it to you if you figure out how to ship it and cover that cost.
Quote from: Bub on August 03, 2021, 11:21:05 PM
I may not have been clear earlier. I have a complete Bimini and frame in good to excellent condition. It came with my SunDay Cat that I bought used a couple of years ago. If you think it will fit your SunCat I?ll be glad to donate it to you if you figure out how to ship it and cover that cost.
Thank you for that kind offer. I have replaced my sail and sail cover within the last year and want to keep the bimini on the color scheme. Style points. 8)
I will get new canvas on my current frame in September or October when the sun angles are lower.
Renae,
I ordered a bimini replacement cover today for my Suncat. My bimini is made by Westland. I determined the maker by looking at the underside of the cover in the back. There are two tags sewn into the seam. One tag is small and it says Westland on it. The other tag is much larger and it has the name "3 - BOW Bimini Top & Boot with a lot number and part number and material name of Forest Green Sharkskin. I went online and found the Westland website and then called them and ordered it. I upgraded to the Sunbrella material because supposedly it is much better than the Sharkskin and has a 10 year warranty versus 5 year. It cost $268.13 which included shipping. This is my early birthday present. My current bimini was quite worn out and the mice in my barn must find the material just right for them because they have chewed some pretty good size holes in it recently for their nest material.