www.iFourWinns.com

Many people feel the bimini connectors are some what of crude design. This is the case for not only for Four Winns but all other boats including Sea Ray and Cobalt that use similar if not the same connectors. We had problems with the side mount bimini connectors, which is simple eye end, which is not design to move 3 dimensions. Our latest SS arch with integrated bimini also has 4 of these connectors. Since the connector does not allow for the shaft to move in 3 directions, it ends up loosening or bending the screw.


After replacing 5 screws I decided to fabricate my own connector using a typical hime joint (ball end joint) which allows the shaft to swing in multi directions. I have made 2 different versions; one completely from scratch using stainless steel rod and the other is using a commonly available connector.
My bimini is using 1 3/4” shaft so I used ¼” 28 hime joint which has a 1/4 “ hole to work with the bimini screws..... For 1” shaft connector, I decided to use 5/16-24 hime joints, which is a little stronger than ¼-28 joint. I have to use a bushing to reduce a connecting hole diameter to ¼” from 5/16” so the joint will fit the bimini screw which is ¼” diameter. The first versions I made were machined from an SS rod which took a little time to make since I had to cut, mill, drill hole, bore hole, tap thread and polish.




I also made a cheating version using the original connectors. With the newer version you simply cut the tab of the connector, drill a hole and tap thread. As you can see from the picture these joints came out very good and functional. No more loose or bent screws.

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Well done!

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

Very nice, I quickly saw that bad design and was wondering what I could do to change it. Did you buy the parts OTC or make them? Curious where you got them at?

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

Flying Sushi:


Where did you find the hime joints? Have a project here that requires a few. Are they also stainless? 304, 316 ???

Could be a new thread, what we make to improve our boat / life. Will dig up a few pix of items I have created.

9BALL

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2005 V268

If you decide to make some to sell let us know. I've got a couple of bent screws that need replaced right now. Good idea.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 210
VP 5.0 GXI SX
"THE GREEN HORNET"

You can get Hime Joint from McMaster Carr and they have many different body materials including 303 Stainless steel.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#ball-joint-rod-ends/=4f629u

I used Joints made by Aurora Bearing. And their web site is:
http://www.aurorabearing.com/

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Thanks for the links. I've got a McMaster Carr right down the street from me.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 210
VP 5.0 GXI SX
"THE GREEN HORNET"

Excellent job Koji!
I just caught this thread and am very impressed. This is a very practical changeover that anybody can do at home with a little patience and fortitude. I guess I should be looking at changing out all my plastic bimini pieces for stainless and doing this mod too.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Impressive solution. I've snapped a couple of those bolts myself, which makes them a little difficult to get out. Instead, I switched to the quick release side mounts, which seem to be a little more heavy duty, but I still think I may have bent one of them. This is a good option to have should I need to try something else.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Ingenious!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Very nice! Well done! I like it!

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Sushi,

First I would like to say AWESOME fix to a common problem. I had already bought replacement thumbscrews when I happened upon this thread. I have stainless rod ends on order and had a couple questions...

1. Did you remove the end caps from the bimini to cut and drill, if so how did you reattach them, stainless rivets?
2. How difficult were the end caps to drill, will I need a drill press or can I accomplish with a hand drill?

Again, great mod!!

Thanks

Chris

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Tanker Toad
NKAWTG..N!!
2008 H220 SS
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4
2010 Tahoe LT 4x4

Chris:
For test I have bought another set of ends. However, removing the end from bimini is not hard to do. You would need lathe or drill press to make an accurate modification.
Drilling stainless steel is not easy as aluminum but if use right bit and cutting fluid the operation is not bad…

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Sushi,

After I looked at the bimni caps, I saw they were just riveted on. I drilled the rivets off and brought the caps into work. I have cut the tabs off and ground them down flush with the caps. Luckily I have access to a machine shop and will have the holes cut on the lathe. I can then tap the holes and rivet them back on the bimini poles. Thanks for your help!!! Hopefully this will end the bent thumbscrew woes.

Chris

Update, I drilled and tapped the caps and installed the rod ends and it has worked great. I have found that the thumbscrews dont have the pressure on them anymore and tend to back out with vibration. I am going to put a small amount of locktite or even some silicone on the threads to help keep them in, but still allow for removal. Thanks again for the idea Sushi!!

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Tanker Toad
NKAWTG..N!!
2008 H220 SS
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4
2010 Tahoe LT 4x4

[quote="Flying Sushi"]
I also made a cheating version using the original connectors. With the newer version you simply cut the tab of the connector, drill a hole and tap thread. As you can see from the picture these joints came out very good and functional. No more loose or bent screws.



Three years later, how is your bimini mod working out. I had another side mount screw fail again this weekend on the lake. Fortunately, I had ss screw handle to keep me going in the interim.