I bought a center console this year and would like to find a good canopy, shade or somthing that mounts to railling of center console, any suggestions would be great.

A "T" top that covers the center console area or a Bimini top are the only choice I have seen.

T-Tops are expensive plus you will probably need to upgrade your trolling motor for the extra drag due to wind. I love them, dont get me wrong , but you have to take that into consideration plus about $1500.

I, hesitantly, bought my bimini on ebay from this guy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...item=4562393582

I was surprised at the quality I received for $179. I got the 4 bow and its great. I also ordered the support poles that keep is standing up and provide much more stability. I run 40 MPH with it up or down with no problems.



You will also need to get a boot for it so that it doesnt bleach out in the sun.

All in all I spent about $250 with everything and shipping. Contact this man and give him the measurment you want and he builds it.

Oh, dont forget a patio umbrella in your rod holder. It may look ??? but it works and stows away when not in use.

I have a bimini top on my CC........ much like the one in the picture above. Works great. Out of the way early mornings and woth at LEAST $10,000 around 11:00am!!!! Just get one made with Sunbrella fabric.........5 year warrenty against fading I believe. Mine is over 8 years old and still looks new.

I did the Patio Umbrella in the rod holder thing for over a year, worked OK, got laughed at a bit at the coast, but could have sold it to any boat out there by about two O'clock any day in the summer.

Ran into these guys in Rockport last year, they make a bimini type top designed to attach to the console, covers the driver's area when up, about the same shade as a T-Top, stores above the console when folded, and leaves the gunnels clear for fishing.

http://www.canvasusa.com/20071_496.asp

Put one on my boat earlier in the year, works pretty well.

You could use pvc pipe as base for the beach umbrella.

On the coast, in the bays, we always use beach umbrellas. They stow easily and can just be folded up and strapped when traveling. A lot of times we take the umbrellas off the boat and set them up on shore when we are bottom fishing a pass or shoreline. Worth a lot more than the cost when it gets hot. We set up folding chairs under the shade and enjoy the breeze. Marbravo

I have a CC also with a bimini top. Some of my buds call it an old man top. I call it WONDERFUL ! Mine lays down flat in the back and covers a little more than 1/2 of my boat. I wouldnt trade it for a anything. (well almost anything) The T-tops look really cool but dont provide enough shade for me. Not to mention the extra $$$$ they cost.
[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WwCfAusZA4zWmYhuZR1AjI9d2YQigt2iMefLGIJ4f*Ves8jna**shLLiAYD*UyGE4HjDVn*YKJEHx0Kb7e1d304ZS*oEgLdPC761*9awSOc8WFZPezWz1lN7xBllbvTMnSpbXk3gHcs/94%20Bayfisher%20CC%20005.jpg?[/img]

Dusty
check out sharkeyltd.com/biminittops.html

I got mine a month ago and love it . I got the large for $159.00 plus $30.frt. Received it in five days. You can order 30" slides (15.99) if you are not for sure if you want more shade in the front or the back. Still works well for casting. Priceless on a hot day!!! I run with mine up @35mph with no problem

sorry too many ttttt's in biminitops. should be sharkeyltd.com/biminitops.html

one more time www.sharkeyltd.com/biminitops.html

I have a brand new bimini, sunbrella blue with the cover just like the one HalDodd shows in his picture and mounts the same way. I bought it from http://www.boatcoversdirect.com/ for about $400 with shipping. It was made for my Sea Fox center console and has the rear support braces. I decided to go with a T-top. I will take the first $100 in North Richland Hills.

Thomas,

If it will fit my skeeter, I'll take it.

David
www.davesguideservice.net

Until you are actually standing there at around 11:00 and finally realize---"Hey it is hot as "H" and we haven't put the top up yet"---and then in thirty seconds or less you have that bimini top up and you are standing in the shade---only then will you realize the value of a top.