www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 2008 H203 and the front main pole snapped at the legs on both sides. Anyone know if you can just buy the pole or have it repaired?

How close to the base did they snap? You do have the option of cutting them off flush and putting on new rod ends for the brackets....just depends how much you need to chop off as to wether this would work.

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Its not the base that snapped it snapped at the support pole and main pole coupler. I have had it welded, epoxied and screwed back together. And it has been shortend about an inch at each side now. I want to just order a new main post or buy a new bimini at this point.

I had one of my bimini top poles break last year and fixed by cutting out the broken part and inserting a aluminum tube inside to replace it. JB weld on the inside and then riveted through the pole to hold it together. Can't tell it was ever repaired unless you knew where to look. Cost about $5 of pipe at the local Ace wardware store.
It's an option.
If you want a whole new top I see Overtons carries a wide selection.
Rob

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Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
2001 Horizon 180

What size tube did you use. I thought about this but can't find anyone who sales aluminum pipe locally. Maybe electrical pipe might work?

I'm not at home right now to measure it but I believe it was 5/8" aluiminum pipe (outside diameter).
Check your local Ace Hardware. I took a piece of the broken pipe with me to make sure it had a good tight fit inside. You could also sleeve it on the outside but that would be more noticeable.
My repair worked great.
Rob

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Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
2001 Horizon 180

It is the absolute right place for the replacement part and the first priority of the Bimini's is to fit your need. If you have an unusual shape or any odd colour kind of the pole you just need to replace it with the duplicate fabric of the same pattern.

You should write instruction manuals!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

This works great thanks for the info. I used 1/2 conduit piping. The electrical guy at home depot asked me what I was doing and I explained it to him. Turns out he see that about every other month Just glad I could save the $575 smackers for a new bimini top and had shade for the fourth...

Thanks for a great idea. Mine snapped in the main coupler and been searching for replacement posts. No one sells them. You have to buy the whole top. All the hinges and screws and brackets are available, but no posts.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

I went to home depot and on the electrical aisle, they had a hollow steel pole that fit perfectly inside the bimini posts. The pole was 10 feet long for $1.97.



I stuck it in the lower part of my bimini post and marked it and then inserted it the top part and took a measurement. Cut it so that it fit with just a little bit of extra room (did not want it moving up and down inside).



Slid it in the upper portion and then slid the lower part of my bimini up and re-assembled. I used two little allen screws in the middle hinge to secure the hinge to the bimini upright as the old hinge had a rivet that had broken off with the post snapped. I think the rivet through the white hinge and into the post is what weakened the post and the jarring from the water let it break.

Still have plenty left over to fix the other side when it breaks. Cannot go wrong with a $2 part and 10 minutes of time to fix.

P.S. the black tube is my dive and sporting flag holder. They won't stay put in the transom light. Not the nicest looking, but serves the job till I come up with another idea.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

Pretty much how mine snapped as well but on both sides in the same day... I was told by another dealer not Four Winns that they have seen that a time or time with the factory bimini from four winns. Made me a little mad I used rivets on mine once I put it back together the same way you did I just extended it about two feet past each brake and put two extra further down the pole.

I had bought some stainless screws and the JB Weld to secure it inside, but when I "dry fitted" it and had so much extra tubing, I just cut it to fit the same length (I think up at the top it hits the rivet for the black nylon cord). I had already made the two little holes in the hinge (forgot to take a picture of that) and inserted the little allen head screws in that are counter sunk when it first broke trying to hold the two parts together. Worked ok, but never stable.

So with the ability to secure the hinge to the post, I did not bother to drill any holes and secure the post inside.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4