Bimini tops are essential for protection against harmful sun exposure and summer storms. They are a great investment and most come with a warranty. There is also a wide range of colors and style options to choose from, so you can find the best one for your boat. Selecting the right Bimini may seem difficult but the resources at SavvyBoater make it easy.

NOTE: Before selecting a Bimini Top, figure out where you want to mount it FIRST! Then, take measurements and decide which Bimini Top will work best for you.

What does 2, 3, and 4 bow mean?

The bows of the Bimini top are the parts of the frame that connect from side to side over the width of the boat. Bimini tops are equipped with either 2, 3, or 4 main bows.

The smallest style offered—mostly used for shorter Jon style fishing boats, V-hull fishing boats, and inflatables—is the 2 bow Bimini top.

The most commonly used Bimini top is the 3 bow. This Bimini top style is recommended for V-hull runabouts, ski boats, performance boats, and most center consoles.

The largest Bimini top carried by SavvyBoater is the 4 bow, which is reserved for larger boats, such as pontoons or deck boats.

Measuring for the Best Fit

FIRST choose where you want to mount the Bimini Top.

Width:The distance between the left and right mounting points. Measure straight across – avoid measuring up and over, or around, obstacles.

Length: Measured front to rear. The mounting point is the center of the Bimini top, so the top will extend half its length in front, and half its length behind the mounting point. For example: A 6 ft. top will cover 3 ft. forward, and 3 ft. behind the mounting point.

Reminder: Check to see if your new Bimini might conflict with existing antennas or ski pylons.

Height: Measured from the mounting point up to the desired height. Consider how much clearance you want underneath the Bimini.

Reminder: The total standing height = the height of the Bimini top + the height from the floor to the mounting point. Thus, a 36 in. Bimini mounted 20 in. above the floor of the boat will have 56 in. of room underneath.

Mounting Your Bimini Top

For standard bimini tops drilling is required, as the bimini is mounted onto the top or on the outside of the boat.

For pontoon bimini tops, which are mounted onto your pontoon’s side rails, drilling is also required.

For tower bimini tops no drilling is required. Instead, the bimini clamps directly onto the boat tower itself.

Carver and Westland both offer specialty mounts that can be ordered when you call our customer support team at (866) 560-1330.

Have more questions? Give our customer support team a call or check out our Bimini Top Help Guides.

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NOTE: Before selecting a Bimini Top, figure out where you want to mount it FIRST! Then, take measurements and decide which Bimini Top will work best for you.

What does 2, 3, and 4 bow mean?

The bows of the Bimini top are the parts of the frame that connect from side to side over the width of the boat. Bimini tops are equipped with either 2, 3, or 4 main bows.

The smallest style offered—mostly used for shorter Jon style fishing boats, V-hull fishing boats, and inflatables—is the 2 bow Bimini top.

The most commonly used Bimini top is the 3 bow. This Bimini top style is recommended for V-hull runabouts, ski boats, performance boats, and most center consoles.

The largest Bimini top carried by SavvyBoater is the 4 bow, which is reserved for larger boats, such as pontoons or deck boats.

Measuring for the Best Fit

FIRST choose where you want to mount the Bimini Top.

Width:The distance between the left and right mounting points. Measure straight across – avoid measuring up and over, or around, obstacles.

Length: Measured front to rear. The mounting point is the center of the Bimini top, so the top will extend half its length in front, and half its length behind the mounting point. For example: A 6 ft. top will cover 3 ft. forward, and 3 ft. behind the mounting point.

Reminder: Check to see if your new Bimini might conflict with existing antennas or ski pylons.

Height: Measured from the mounting point up to the desired height. Consider how much clearance you want underneath the Bimini.

Reminder: The total standing height = the height of the Bimini top + the height from the floor to the mounting point. Thus, a 36 in. Bimini mounted 20 in. above the floor of the boat will have 56 in. of room underneath.

Mounting Your Bimini Top

For standard bimini tops drilling is required, as the bimini is mounted onto the top or on the outside of the boat.

For pontoon bimini tops, which are mounted onto your pontoon’s side rails, drilling is also required.

For tower bimini tops no drilling is required. Instead, the bimini clamps directly onto the boat tower itself.

Carver and Westland both offer specialty mounts that can be ordered when you call our customer support team at (866) 560-1330.

Have more questions? Give our customer support team a call or check out our Bimini Top Help Guides." }}