Travel Suggestions Blog

Pontoons are great for their versatility, as they allow you to travel just about anywhere, but no matter your coordinates, there usually isn’t a lot of shade on the open water. If you’re out on the pontoon, if you haven’t got a certain accessory, you’ll be pretty much completely open to things like rain, spray, and the sun’s rays. This in turn can keep you from getting the most enjoyment out of your boat, whether you’re fishing, seeing the sights, or just relaxing with friends. Therefore, most pontoon pilots consider the bimini top a must-have accessory. Bimini tops get their name from Bimini in the Bahamas, where fishermen originated this sort of raised canopy, attaching them to their boats as a means of protection from the sun.

Today, bimini tops for pontoons come in many different forms to meet the boat owner’s specifications. In terms of bimini top materials, there are various possibilities to choose from. These include polyester tops, poly-cotton bimini tops, vinyl bimini tops, and a number of patented materials. Each option varies in endurance, wrinkle avoidance, and price. Bimini tops may also have mildew and UV-resistant properties. The tubing which connects the bimini top to the boat is also available in a number of types, starting with aluminum, and moving up to top-of-the-line stainless steel.

The standard dimensions for bimini tops for pontoons are 8’x8’ to 8’x10’, with a clearance of about 46 inches to 60 inches. We all know that looks are important too, and bimini tops are available in a variety of colours, and you’ll surely be able to find one to suit the detailing on your boat. There are a few basic styles out there: traditional, which is your ordinary square or rectangular shape; buggy-style, with extra flaps which reach downward to attach to the guardrail; and extra-long, which goes past the cabin, affording additional sun protection.

As well as the bimini top itself, it’s worth thinking about looking at a storage boot, which will allow you to easily stow the bimini top while the pontoon boat is docked, as well as things such as privacy partitions, or towel clips, which you can use to hang your towels or clothes from the bimini top. Certain outfitters sell the different components (fabric and tubing) separately, so you even have the choice to create a bimini top of your own. There are enough choices available that every pontoon boat owner is sure to find a bimini top that suits their tastes.