New boat /boat owner - can I /should i get a bimini?

My wife and I just picked up a 1999 Tracker Grizzly 1648 40 HP Yamaha boat. We took her out this past Saturday on lake Wylie SC and had a blast (well some struggles during launch/recovery due to operator error/inexperience.. motor doesn't like low idle.. may have water in it or fuel filter needs cleaning).

We were both wearing sunscreen and still ended up with minor sunburns.

We were talking about how hot it gets sometimes in direct sun and discussed adding a bimini. My thought is that it's potentially a bad idea on a fishing boat because it gets in the way. On the other hand it's not even full summer yet and already it can get hot.

Thoughts/guidance welcome. In the meantime (it's going to take a while to save up for any major additions) I wear a hat and am considering wearing long/light/loose leg pants and shirt. I may switch from a ballcap to a boonie hat or something with a large brim..

I have other questions as well but I'll post them as separate posts.
Thanks in advance.

Jerry

SPF 50 put on before you leave the house and refresh several times throughout the day, large brim hat like boonie or lifeguard hat, long sleeve shirt and long pants if you can stand it. Bimini is very nice but on a low gunnel boat with decks you will fight it all day. An umbrella mount for your seat will likely be more user friendly. Try and stay in shaded ares while on the water as well if possible. And drink plenty of water or gatoraide.

Everything Huntinslab's said. Best thing on your boat is going to be umbrellas. Over here most of us use the Sunbrella 6 ft. Put some of the cheaper patio brellas in about 5 ft work pretty good. If your seats are on 3/4 pin posts pretty easy to build a PVC mount that slips over post to set brella in. I have had to have several spots cut and burned off my face and ears. I wear overalls and long sleeve shirts all the time also hat or cap with sun shield for ears and neck. Drink more water than you think you need. I promise you some good clothing and umbrella are way cheaper than a Dr visit. Also get you both some fingerless fishing gloves to cover back of hands and wrist even if you have to buy cheap brown jersey gloves and cut the fingers off.

I have a walleye boat that Bimini tops are designed for and I wouldn't get one. They just get in the way more than they are worth for me. I too use a sun umbrella. Bought mine at Sam's club. It has a soft plastic point in the end that is made to go in the sand at the beach. The two metal poles come apart and the hole thing is stored in a bag that is less than the diameter of a soda can. I have a walk through windshield and I open mine up and stick it right in the middle. I simply use a Velcro strap and mount it to a windshield strut. Works great and allows air to get in while blocking out the sun. It can also be tilted to one side or the other.

We just ordered a bimini for our boat. We have used the Sunbrella in the past and it has worked well, but if it's windy, it can be difficult to deal with. Also, we can safely run up to 35 mph without putting the bimini top down. Unless you're just trolling, you can't leave the umbrella up. We're fishing more in the summer, so we bit the bullet for the bimini. Also, it will allow Charlie to go out with us a little more often and not get so hot with that black fur!

sound advice all around and I thank you. Sounds like SPF and coverup will be my route. I will try to find an umbrella that fits so I can get out of it a bit. I'm on call this week until next monday..but after that I'm going to try and get out for a few hours after work and see what I can find with the fish finder.
The first few times out the plan is to get familiar with the water and find where the cover is. If I have success then maybe by the weekend I can run some minnows through a school or two.
Thank you very much for your advice.
Jer

I use to have a center console with a bimini and it worked out very well. If you go that route just be sure its high enough to stand under without stooping. I used these 22"-44" Adjustable Brace Kit (Alum) - ENDURATop 62014 - iboats.com so the top wouldn't be in the way when stored and made it a lot easier to open up.

I have a center console boat with a bimini. Its useless if I'm sitting in the bow where I need to be when running the trolling motor.
And the supports are always in the way if I'm trying to fish from the helm seat with long jig rods. So I removed mine and would
advise trying umbrellas which could easily be stashed when moving at higher speeds. For trolling, you could use the bimini but it
can still be a pita to work around. The best way to deal with the sun is to cover up and go early or in the evening.

I'm thinking about the umbrella seat mounts. just not sure if it will get in the way.

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Originally Posted by Pomoxis

I'm thinking about the umbrella seat mounts. just not sure if it will get in the way.

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Made a couple L shaped PVC mounts for an umbrella, for use on my 16' Procraft. There's a T at the base end for slipping over the seat pole, then a T at the horizontal/vertical connection. The bottom umbrella rod sits down into the vertical PVC pipe and is held there by a cotter pin ... and the upper umbrella rod is pushed down into that. It isn't glued together at the horz/vert connection point, so it can be dismantled & stored in the rod box. I use it on a offset style pedestal with a certain amount of difficulty when re-positioning the PVC mount ... but, it's worth the trouble to me.

The mount made for the rear seat is glued together, and so it cannot be stored in the rod box. It's mounted on a straight pedestal, so re-positioning is not a big deal.

So far they have not "gotten in the way" to the point where fishing had to be ceased ... whether casting or using rod holders/long rods. You just have to adjust "how" you fish, considering their presence. Being without them could/would mean "calling it a day" a lot sooner ... so I put up with any inconveniences they present.

I have a bimini top and the few times I have used it, it was well worth the investment. I have a stick steer boat and it does not cover the front seat, but I have an I-Pilot so I can sit on the middle seat and run the TM when tight lining or trolling. I placed my holders so they don't interfere with the top supports.
My grandkids like being able to get out of the sun. If I am anchored fishing it is really nice protection from sun or rain.
Be sure to get one you can stand and walk around under.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Made a couple L shaped PVC mounts for an umbrella, for use on my 16' Procraft. There's a T at the base end for slipping over the seat pole, then a T at the horizontal/vertical connection. The bottom umbrella rod sits down into the vertical PVC pipe and is held there by a cotter pin ... and the upper umbrella rod is pushed down into that. It isn't glued together at the horz/vert connection point, so it can be dismantled & stored in the rod box. I use it on a offset style pedestal with a certain amount of difficulty when re-positioning the PVC mount ... but, it's worth the trouble to me.

The mount made for the rear seat is glued together, and so it cannot be stored in the rod box. It's mounted on a straight pedestal, so re-positioning is not a big deal.

So far they have not "gotten in the way" to the point where fishing had to be ceased ... whether casting or using rod holders/long rods. You just have to adjust "how" you fish, considering their presence. Being without them could/would mean "calling it a day" a lot sooner ... so I put up with any inconveniences they present.

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I think eventually that's the route I'll go. Right now I have a laundry list of modifications and repairs I want to do. Just did a temp fix on the trailer ground wiring and need to fix the GPS module power switch circuit. The boat is pretty much fishing capable atm albeit not 100%. I still need at least 1 seat pole, figure out storage for different items like anchors/anchor line.etc.. I've owned a boat before but really have the skill level of a new boat owner.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

I have a bimini top and the few times I have used it, it was well worth the investment. I have a stick steer boat and it does not cover the front seat, but I have an I-Pilot so I can sit on the middle seat and run the TM when tight lining or trolling. I placed my holders so they don't interfere with the top supports.
My grandkids like being able to get out of the sun. If I am anchored fishing it is really nice protection from sun or rain.
Be sure to get one you can stand and walk around under.

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Could you post a pic of the top? I too have a stick steer and am looking at getting one...thanks.

Regards

I don't have a picture of it with the top up. I'll try to get one and post in a few days.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

I don't have a picture of it with the top up. I'll try to get one and post in a few days.

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Thanks much.

Regards

Attachment 242769

Has anyone tried to rig up something like those gator hunters use on tv ? Looks to me like 2 clothsline poles with a tarp between them . Not anything to really get in the way except at the very front and rear . Gotta say I ain't above rigging something like that up one day myself . If it tilted that would even be better .

We mainly just tie up to a stump , nose to the wind with the sun to our backs . I would like to see as the OP any really good ideas you guys have that works and worth the little in the way issue .

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Thanks much.

Regards

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Here are a few pictures of my boat with the top up. The Boat has channels down the sides which lets me position my rod holders anywhere along the side. The drivers seat is not under the top, but with the I-Pilot I can move under the shade an operate the boat from anywhere. I had the seats off because it was supposed to rain later. They have the same quick release channel that is on the sides. Nothing is perfect but with the rod holders positioned where you need them you can stay dry and cool for the most part.

Thanks much.


Regards

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

Attachment 242798Attachment 242799Attachment 242800

Here are a few pictures of my boat with the top up. The Boat has channels down the sides which lets me position my rod holders anywhere along the side. The drivers seat is not under the top, but with the I-Pilot I can move under the shade an operate the boat from anywhere. I had the seats off because it was supposed to rain later. They have the same quick release channel that is on the sides. Nothing is perfect but with the rod holders positioned where you need them you can stay dry and cool for the most part.

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Could you tell me where you got that one? I am looking for them only need it 4 feet long but the ones I am seeing are not tall enough for me to stand under. The longer you get one I see the higher in height you can get. But I only need it to be 4 feet long.

Regards

Boatcoversdirect.com. 866-626-8377. Local company here in Chesnee, SC, not some front for a plant in China. You can call them and speak to one of the employees and they will walk you through everything you need, even send you samples of colors and materials if you wish.
Great people to deal with.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

Boatcoversdirect.com. 866-626-8377. Local company here in Chesnee, SC, not some front for a plant in China. You can call them and speak to one of the employees and they will walk you through everything you need, even send you samples of colors and materials if you wish.
Great people to deal with.

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Info is much appreciated. Going to give them a call in a bit. Looks like a great product.

Regards

Not finished yet but I am soon to have some shade...life is good!


Regards

Where did you buy your top? Boat looks sharp,you should have many a fine outing with it.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

Where did you buy your top? Boat looks sharp,you should have many a fine outing with it.

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Thanks.....I got it at Boat Covers Direct. Thanks for all the info.

Regards