www.iFourWinns.com

Dedicated to Current and Future Owners
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:22 pm

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:17 pm 
Offline
Sting Ray
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:39 pm
Posts: 71
Location: Adirondacks, Upstate New York
I've posted before about possibly getting a bimini top for my 2015 H180 OB, but now that I'm getting closer to ordering it, I have a silly question. (I know, I know... there's no such thing as a silly question but this really IS!) How do you get into the boat if the bimini frame is in the way of stepping onto the rear seat? Do people step onto the swim platform first and then step onto the rear seat? (Told you it was silly!)

FYI, our boat is at a slip all summer so we get in and out quite a bit. It's not as if we trailer and get in once the whole day.

Here's a photo of a similar boat...

Image

I have to say, entering the boat via the swim platform will bug me. Plus, it seems like the non-skid will get chewed up prematurely from all the extra traffic with shoes, sand, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions.


Last edited by CaptainADK on Wed Dec 13, 2017 6:53 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 9:11 pm 
Offline
Minnow

Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:14 pm
Posts: 11
I guess my answer would be to ask: does the bimini "fold" forward so it rests on top of the windshield?

_________________
2013 H190
4.3 Volvo Penta


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:10 am 
Offline
email admin your custom rank

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:10 pm
Posts: 2032
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
On my boat, I can step onto the seat even with the bimini support in the way, but it is easier if the one rear support leg is moved out of the way. So, to let passengers in, I often unpin the dockside leg and clip it to the main support. The bimini still stays in position supported by the leg on the other side of the boat. Must re-pin the leg before getting underway and hitting waves.

Regarding the non slip... it is very durable. I would not have any concern about wearing it out due to foot/shoe traffic. However, I don't like shoes on my big upholstered sunsport deck.

_________________
Image
"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:03 pm 
Offline
Sting Ray
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:39 pm
Posts: 71
Location: Adirondacks, Upstate New York
Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. I didn't know how easy it would be to unclip just one side.

Regarding shoes, we're not super strict but I understand that many people don't like shoes on their boat. We do use a SeatSaver, which has worked out really well for us. A bit overpriced for what it is, but I was happy to find a solution and support a small business.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:16 am 
Offline
email admin your custom rank

Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am
Posts: 1488
Watch....folks will be using the Bimini supports as a grab handle. Mine has the support rods to the front, but I have the reverse arch tower. Same problem from the arch being in the way of boarding. I have everyone enter from swim platform or simply enter via the bow.

Its worth that little boarding change because that shade is like a 20 degree AC.

_________________
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:00 am 
Offline
email admin your custom rank

Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 7:24 pm
Posts: 618
Location: Lake St. Clair USA
Before I had a boat with a walk-through transom, I would place one of my multiple throwable PFDs on the seat to protect it from people stepping on it. I am sure many people do this but it really does keep the seat from extra wear.

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:36 pm 
Offline
230 Mike
User avatar

Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 7:59 pm
Posts: 5141
Location: Kansas City, Table Rock Lake
Depends on the model. In our case, we step on the walk-through and duck a little, and that's enough (I'm 6' 0"). I would imagine smaller models might require a little more "duck" but it depends on how far back the Bimini reaches.

_________________
Image

Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 1:03 pm 
Offline
email admin your custom rank

Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:19 pm
Posts: 252
Location: San Antonio, TX
We trailer our boat but it seems we are in and out of it many times throughout the day. And if the boat is in the water, then our bimini is up. We usually enter off the back (built-in swim deck? it's an OB so I have two!) and then onto one of the rear seats, or the support frame is the seats are removed (fisherman package). I will usually get in first to help others because they always seems to try and grab the bimini frame for support. Kids will usually come in from the side of the bow (because they don't want to wait on the adults).

There is enough room to enter onto the rear seats from the side with bimini in place, just make sure that they aren't using the frame to support their weight while coming aboard.

_________________
Image
1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
San Antonio, TX

Choice of tow vehicle:
'93 Explorer 4x4 (sold)
'05 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi (member of the 240k+ mile club!)


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group