Bimini Top/Shade on Bass Boat

I am teetering with the idea of adding shade to my 18' bass boat for when I take my kids out with me. I am looking for any suggestions (pics would be great of your actual setup if you have them) from anyone who has added a bimini top or umbrella or any other home made solution to your fiberglass bass boat. Also any pros/cons that they may have to contribute as well. I don't like the idea of drilling holes in my boat to add a top, but I relish the idea of not going out with the kids even more.

Thanks in advance,
Austin

I have one on my ranger rt188 aluminum boat. works great for this time of year. I can run about 30 mph with it up, and you can still fish from the front and back decks with it up. in the heat, i'll go make 4-5 casts, and then sit in the shade and drink a water bottle.

installed with a mounting bracket on each side (inside) just forward of the driver's seat, and then use ropes that fasten to the cleats (front and back) to hold it in position. folds down on the back deck when not in use.

Check out the discussions on Bass Boat Central. This one, which relates to aluminum bassboats and includes a link to the supplier, is one of many that are out there.

Bimini on an RT188, pics

And these guys do custom bimini tops.

Aurora

Sport brella. They make a huge umbrella that will go into the seat pedastal skinny hole. It has flaps you can tie to the cleats . Stepdad has a couple. They are awesome!!

I like the sun brella idea. Thank you!

I put these on my RT188, the PVC is about $11, the umbrella $15, I made two, front and back.
Work great, up and down in 2 minutes..moves all around the seat for different angles..no drilling
stores easy, light, and inexpensive..

Jim, you should get an award for that design! If you remove the umbrella, does it work as a urinal?

G-EYES,...yes !!...runs right into the autodrain.

I have one on my fiberglass. I ordered the rails that it inside instead of on top. By using mounting rails I can adjust it forwards or backwards as needed. Really helps in rain and heat. Using the rails I left the back cap off so it slides on and off in seconds and no screwing anything down. Mine is rated for up to 45 mph and it handles it that just fine. I've forgotten to lower it before and can attest that it can handle around 70 with no damage.

It does limit fishability a little. You must be on decks to fish so it doesn't shade you then but gives a place to escape the heat for periods. I bought mine off of eBay for just over $100 bucks and other than being dirty, it is still in great shape 3 years later. I only put it on the boat when I expect bad weather or fishing mid day

I love the idea, but just can't bring myself to doing it. Guess I'll just stay home until Oct.

Love your design Jim. Mine works OK but I have stand under it and I'd rather sit.

I have one, very nice to have.

I'll make ya one for Cowboys Superbowl tickets !!

That's a deal! But for what year? Go ahead and make it and send it over, and when the Cowboys make the superbowl....the tickets will be yours.

Very expensive, very versatile, and incredibly made.


https://www.pro-techt.com/

MY wife says she'll make them for $25 a piece minus the umbrella if ya want one..

I had a Bimini on my Triton. Worked great and installed two sets of mounts about 16" apart so that when the wife wasnt fishing I could move it to the back set and shade more of the rear deck for her and my dogs.

I would angle the front lower than the back and put two twists in each of the straps this cuts down on lift under it and the twists keep the straps from flapping. I could do around 40 mph like that.

Been seriously thinking of buying one for my old Ranger.