www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone reconfigured their Bimini top to attach the radar arch? Can you put zippers on the arch? I would like to add/have lights on the arch with the top up.

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1996 278 Vista Dlx Twin 5.0
1999 Sea Ray 215 ex cruiser (sold)
1989 Seaswirl (sold)

My 268 Canvas attaches to the arch front and rear. It is held in place by two tracks mounted to the arch with zipper halves that slide into the tracks. The front bimini and the rear camper top then zip to those. Both sides also have about a dozen snaps that hold the edge of the top securely to the arch to prevent it from flapping.

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Jack
2005 268 Vista - Sold

2001 Silverton 35C 8.1L Crusaders

I would think just about any reputable canvas shop would be able to reconfigure your canvas to attach to the arch, but it would more than likely require a complete replacement of your camper top.

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

There are a few in our marina that have done it. It is an expensive adventure. I know a 328 in our marina did it and i thunk it was around 5k. And yea they had to replace all of it including the stainless frame

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I was never a fan of the way our bimini top was routed below the arch, always admired the newer models that just seemed to look cleaner. It was time for new canvas last year, so I upgraded to the arch attachment. Called Four Winns to confirm that a 2004 factory top would fit a 1999. Great Lakes was running 25% off last feb, so I ordered the entire camper enclosure, bimini, and cockpit cover. I think it was just shy of $4K. Had a local canvas guy make a few adjustments, but over all I'm happy with the final product.

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Lakebum
2006 378 Vista
Nashville, TN
Current
04 Hustler Cheetah
06 Seadoo sportster 150
Past
06 378 vista
328 vista
240 horizon
21' glastron
20' celebrity

That's good to know never thought of going at it that way

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Thank you for all the info. I went ahead and emailed Great Lakes will see what they say. Last year I added a screen enclosure. Would I be able to add more material or have to redo a new enclosure?

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1996 278 Vista Dlx Twin 5.0
1999 Sea Ray 215 ex cruiser (sold)
1989 Seaswirl (sold)

We did the same last year. Since we never take the bimini off, we had the support system re-created to use a lot less poles and all new canvas. All in it ran ~$6k.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

^ That looks very sharp!

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Yes defiantly sharp. Just out of curiosity I email Great Lakes and got a price for 3k for updated canvas and then would still need a local shop to fit it onto the arch.
Not in the cards for me this year

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Thanks! My only complaint is that the forward section bar is a bit lower than stock, so if I want to look to starboard when standing I need to duck ever so slightly to see under the canvas. Other than that, I'm very happy with it, particularly the lack of stainless bars all over the place like the original top had, so that it could fold.

If you do decide to get new bars made, my suggestion would be to 'test fit' by standing at the helm, before any canvas is cut.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

I received an email from Great Lakes they claim they cannot do alterations but they can sell the valance that connects to the arch and top two separate pieces for a little over $200. I might just cut a section of the Bimini out and replace it w isinglass and install the lights above that!! just kidding!!!!

I've done enough work on the boat this year it sounds like a winter project for next year.

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1996 278 Vista Dlx Twin 5.0
1999 Sea Ray 215 ex cruiser (sold)
1989 Seaswirl (sold)

You laugh, but that's exactly what my original top had - lights in the arch and two 6"x6" sections of isinglass where the lights were. It worked, but it is much nicer to have the bottom of the arch exposed. Keep in mind when adding bits to the arch that the arch is aluminum, not FG so if you don't tap every screw hole, your going to want to be careful not to snap screws as you install. This is the reason my installer didn't want to install the long sections that a zipper or canvas would slide into - so mine is a combination of snaps, with an adhesive channel after the snaps. Never had a leak there yet. Wish i could say the same for my windshield!

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Thank you weather I will keep that in mind if I decide to proceed with this project in the future. This year I had 2 - 20" LED light bars installed on the main walkway one underneath where the batt switches are and the other underneath the side panel before the cabin doors I'm going to try these out this year and see if I really need more lights. My mechanic hooked the lights up to the acc light switch on the dash.

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1996 278 Vista Dlx Twin 5.0
1999 Sea Ray 215 ex cruiser (sold)
1989 Seaswirl (sold)