Sea Ray really dropped the ball on the Bimini top frame design

T

The NY Dad

Member
Jul 10, 2017
71
Arizona
Boat Info
2010 185 sport
Engines
190hp 4.3l Mercruiser
My daughter has 2010 i85 sport, and the Bimini top frame design is ridiculous. The frame actually rests on the grab handles and has left permanent impressions in the vinyl. it also rests inside the cockpit across the rear seat back when down, so anyone riding in the rear seat has the frame in the middle of their back. I looked at the frame and can't find anyway to adjust it so the it will rest on the sun pad. Sea Ray should have made the frame 6" longer on each side. If anyone has a fix for this it would be greatly appreciated
 
I’ve got the same boat and have the same criticism. I don’t think there’s a way to have it closed and left in the up position unfortunately. Maybe there is and I could learn if I read the book!
 
Looking at pics of the boat ... do you have the solid rear support pole and front straps? If so can't you store it in the up position with the boot on and folded back?
 
Should have a strut on either side that could store it in the up position with the cover on it
 
I hate to admit that it didn’t occur to me to just release the front straps and leave the rear arms in place. Doh!
 

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Yeah you got it released the front straps a bunch it all up and put the Bimini cover back on it and it will be all nice and pretty and out of everybody's way still standing up just not unfolded
 
I didn't think of that either, it's not the solution I was looking for, but it would work, people would not have the frame in the middle of their back when riding in the rear seat. I still wish they had made it so it would rest on the sun pad, so its not sticking up in the air all the time. Kind of ruins the lines of the boat sticking up like that when it's not needed. Thanks for the input.
 
Correct, it was purposefully designed to be "stored" in the upright (slanted back) position so it's out of the way of people using the boat - look at other Sea Ray's (and many other boats) - that's how they're meant to be. The only time you would lay it down completely (or remove it completely) might be for extended storage or to get into a garage. But it's absolutely meant to be like that and, truthfully, makes using the boat more user friendly - you certainly wouldn't want a big, cumbersome frame in the way or boarding or using the sunpad.

But certainly, if you want to do something different you can redesign it. Granted, 99% of people like it the way it is - but that doesn't mean you have to like it. Re-work the frame and re-mount it further aft.
 
I think leaving it lay on the sun pad for an extended time while using the boat might leave wear marks on the pad.
 
Sometimes you do have to lay it down -- even if for a minute.

We took our 130 down to a busy river this weekend, and there's two different drawbridges. One is 8 feet above the waterline, and I could clear that with the bimini up but it would be close. The other one only opens once an hour, and it's 4 feet clearance above the water. So if you need to get through, the only option is to drop it flat and duck :eek:

Like Dennis says, you could move it back. I've never seen them in person but I've heard of guys mounting the middle point on a track so can you move the whole thing fore and aft.
 
BirchyBoy said:
I hate to admit that it didn’t occur to me to just release the front straps and leave the rear arms in place. Doh!
Click to expand...

Yes, the factory biminis are designed to be stored in the up position supported by the rear pole and then covered with the boot. I have had client complain that they wanted to store in the "open" position and could not mount the straps to the windshield through the cockpit cover. In those cases we needed to modify the cover to add a small opening for the strap eyes. This is not the case with your installation.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
Yes, the factory biminis are designed to be stored in the up position supported by the rear pole and then covered with the boot. I have had client complain that they wanted to store in the "open" position and could not mount the straps to the windshield through the cockpit cover. In those cases we needed to modify the cover to add a small opening for the strap eyes. This is not the case with your installation.

-Kevin
Click to expand...

My mooring cover has the openings for the Bimini arms but is getting pretty tired. I’ll be sure to get a set next year with the openings.
 
Remove the rear support fitting from the deck. Install a "track" on the deck and fasten the fitting in the track. It needs to be movable. The front part of the track should coincide with the original fitting, and the back such that when in the most aft position the frame will lay down where you want it.

That's how biminis were designed in the olden days. They changed to fixed brackets because most people want to leave it up.

My 190 SPX folds to the middle of the sunpad. It is down for traveling and garage storage. No problem with pad damage. I made "pillows" with straps and snaps and they softly cushion the bimini on the pad.
 
I went to the boat yesterday and put the Bimini in the up position and put the cover on. Easy peasy!
 
The top on my 180 came across the rear seats making them unusable if stowed laying down. I solved the problem by purchasing a 8' top from usaoceansouth off eBay. They had a model that mounted to the same main hoop location and folded to lay behind the seats. I had to drill new holes for the support rod mounts. The top does stand a little taller when up but covers more cockpit area for shade.
 
Glad it worked out more shade the better
 
Yup. They are a PITA when towing the boat. My 220, can't fold down as it is, as it falls short of the sun pad / seating area and has no support. And is pretty clumsy / awkward to remove and set in the boat for the transport ride.

I have to run a ratchet strap from the carpeted long board guide on's and across the boat so the bimini has something to rest on and not bust the side window frame while towing..
 
Just out of curiosity, why lay it down for trailering? All of the Sea Ray (OEM, anyways) are designed to trailered with it in the up (stowed) position. Personal preference aside, it's totally fine to do it that way.
 
Tried with it up at one time, but watching in the mirrors, could actually see the window frame flexing when going over bumpy roads.

Figured that laying it down on the strap was a whole lot easier and cheaper than trying to find and replace the side windows / frames if they broke from flexing.

Yes, my bimini is the OEM one.
 
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