www.iFourWinns.com

I'm trying to source a bimini top for my "new" 2007 H180 and was hoping someone out there has a factory installed one to provide some advice.

What I'm wondering is does the factory supplied top include the "small struts" which hold the top up a bit when folded down towards the stern? My factory cockpit cover has a velcro slot on both sides near the SS seating which appear to be intended to wrap around this small strut mounting area. Assuming the theory is that when the cockpit cover is on, the bikini with boot laid down is exposed above the cover, and fastened to the struts.

Searching around for Bimini tops, I have found that Westland seems to have an ordering option with p/n 3681-X3S which has the "small strut" lay down option in their description. I haven't seen that with any other Bimini suppliers.

Have done a lot of googling trying to find a picture of this set-up and have come up short so far. FW doesn't have pics on their site in the parts catalog for the tops either. Suppose I'll end up making a couple of phone calls if I can't get this sorted out online, as I'd like to order the correct set-up from the start.

Hi fotto,

Hopefully this is of some help. I use to have a 2009 H180 that was not much different than your 07.

The first picture shows the bimini in the trailering position with the cockpit cover on.

The second one shows the bimini as it's mounted to the boat and the third shows in a little more detail the way the short post is "stored" when the bimini is up.

If you need anything else let me know.






and yes....it does come with the short posts....

_________________
2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP

I don't have a factory top, but ordered a similar Sunbrella model from http://www.gmitopdesign.com/f-english.html. I ordered extra parts to create the "small struts" (pictured below)

_________________
-Rob.


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

Thanks guys....the pics are most helpful. As it turns out, I went ahead and ordered a top from GMI just today, 6' long 3 bow, 79"-84" wide, 40"-46" high with SS hardware (they actually shipped it today as well ). I ordered their rear support struts which adjust from 28" to 40 something. From what I have found (and now your pics) FW's stock Bimini has the extended longer rear struts which fold up and and are captured by the nylon dealies when the bimini is lowered, with the short struts as a separate item which then hold it proud of the cockpit cover.

My plan is to rig up some short struts as a separate item to the standard GMI set-up. Would be great to find those plastic "holders" for the longer rear struts somewhere. Someone's gotta have them but I haven't been able to find them yet.

Any links for those would be appreciated, and again, thanks for the visuals! As a first time boat owner, this is all new to me.

This thread may help you with the part numbers
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=6384&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=bimini

I had two broken clips and being cheap I've crafted an S type clip using a pair of Bimini towel clips I bought from Overtons. I sanded the edges, formed an S, glued them together and put some white duct tape inside, they held up just fine. They are a bit loose, thus the duct tape, going to try to heat up and bend into a tighter fit.

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

Thanks. That's pretty much what I was looking for, although I found that my local marine shop had a couple of "back to back" plastic clips in stock that fit 7/8" tube that I bought.

Got the top installed with the short standoffs and am very happy with it. Will post some pics of it this weekend (still have to take the pics).