www.iFourWinns.com

I'm planning on ordering a top from Overton's. Where is the best place to measure the for width I need? Also, what size
do you guys recommend for a 17' boat? I just need a little shade from time to time. And what brand if any is better?
Thanks in advance.

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1998 Horizon 170 QX / Volvo 3.0 SX drive

I prefer the extra small size top, no matter what size vessels they're covering.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I saw a lady driving a convertible once with vanity plates that said 'toplss'. Even better than extra small size tops

My suggestion is to measure to the outside of your gunnel. I would not mount to your window frame if you can avoid it. Basically look and see where you can mount easy enough, not modify your cover and get behind the mount location for backer boards. I would look at sunbrella fabric, upgrading to stainless hardware, and getting the rear support poles. That will help stabilize/minimize the bimini from side-side vibration. You're probably going to want something like a 3-bow 6' bimini. Do a quick search on the boards here and you'll find some topics on bimini's to get some ideas.

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'99 Horizon 200

We had.our top custom built and it is on the larger end of the scale which we like. I agree on the mount to the gunwale and not the windshield frame. Much more solid.

I agree with all that was said, a 6' top should work fine on a boat size. The first thing you need to do find the width between the mounting points, that determines how wide of a top you need. Then you have to decide how high you want it to be, so next you have to measure from the mounting point to the max height you want it to be. That determines the height of the top you buy. The width and the height are the the two important dimensions. I made it so I can stand up under the top while driving the boat.

I would not under any circumstances mount a bimini top frame to the windshield, the movement of the top at speed can flex the windshield frame and if one of the windshield pieces flexes enough it can shatter. It is only tempered glass. Some boats come with the top mounted that way but if you notice they usually have a much stronger windshield frame.

On my boat the windshield frame tilts inboard so there was no way I could mount the frame on the inner gunnels. So what I did was get slider mounts and mount them on the coaming panel, this gave me a really solid mount and the ability to move the top out of the way for fishing or when I have to winterize it.

As far as tops, I did get a top from Overtons and it had the frame that you put together with screws, I found this very difficult to put together right and get the size (width) correct. So I sent it back and got one from West Marine that has a different way of adjusting the frame width (they are adjustable within a certain range for width) it had buttons that are spring loaded and pop out of the holes in the frame to lock it in place. Much better than the screws. I forget the brand but I'll check it when I go out on the boat today.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I checked it's a Taylor Made top......

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. Going to get some measurements tomorrow.

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1998 Horizon 170 QX / Volvo 3.0 SX drive