Bimini top for 2002 186 Bay

[btoups1122]

I'm looking to install a bimini top for my 2002 186 Bay, and I have a few questions. There are no Triumph dealers in this area so I was hoping that you could assist me.

1) What is the proper size bimini top for this boat?
2) How difficult is the installation?
3) Does the bimini get in the way of the rear jump seats?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You
Benji

[190steve.s]

While I do not know what size my bimini is listed as, the main support on axis is approx 72" long. I mounted mine approx 6 inches fwd of factory so it would lay fwd in line with fwd casting deck as I did not like having to lift all the time for access to rear compartments. I loaded a few photos in mods for you to look at.

[btoups1122]

Thank you for the info.

[mtty]

When I bought my 170CC in 2002 I ordered the factory bimini because I wanted the package look and I could roll the top into the financing I arranged. At any rate, the dealer I bought from didn't have the top instock when I picked my boat up and later dropped shipped it from the manufacturer. For the sake of matching an aftermarket top to what they should be still using as original equipment I saved the shipping label off my box. The manufacturer is Starr Brand Corporation and as I recall they are in Lyman, SC. I punched up Starr Brand Corp in the search and got lots of hits. I don't know if you're concerned with the original look but at least with this info maybe you could shop the price a little. By the way mine is Sunbrella acrylic. The color is "logo red". Let me know if I can give you any more info.

JT

try this, and look in their data base.. should have the proper fit top for your boat

http://www.websweeper.com/php/bimini_tops/bim-004.php

Good Co. also, quick on delivery and good prices. I've purchased tops for my last 3 boats thru them and definately recommend them.

[btoups1122]

I would like to thank everyone for their help. That websight was very informative. Are there any special installation steps that need to be taken for the Triumph hull besides bedding the screws with Rule elastomeric?

[Putershark]

Benji,

If you want a fully functional top, one that is out of the way all of the time, here is what this 190 owner (a person who has actually spent time walking the deck of one :wink: ) did. I had one made and mounted on sliders that fits “inside” the hull and rest on the forward trolling motor battery box when not in use. This by the way is about as out-of-the way when not in use as a Bimini top can get.

Yes, the factory one will get in your way in some manner any time it is on the boat because it is mounted on the gunnels of the hull no matter if it is folded forward or aft. By having one that fits inside you rid yourself of several issues.

1. No need to strap it down for high speed running or towing down the highway since it is resting well below any airflow.
2. Not on the gunnels to reach over when landing any fish. I guess if you don’t use the boat for fishing this is not much of an issue but I don’t even have any rails on mine for this very reason.
3. Not in the way and forces you to have to have to “step over” it when moving onto either casting deck yet still have enough space left to step up onto the forward casting deck even when not deployed.

What do you loose by having one like this?

1. A little extra cash to have the main support pipes custom bent, but form does follow function you know.
2. Some shade volume, but that is the beauty of the sliders, move it forward or aft pending on what needs shaded at that time.

Now I only use my top in the dead of summer and then (most times) only put it up to stop and eat lunch. Rest of the time, I and my partner are fishing like mad and look like a couple of speed casting threshing machines, and enjoy have total exposed decks so we can cast in any direction when we spot Reds working a flat. Matter of fact, we do not have any rods in the console rod holders (unless we are moving to another flat) so we can maintain that 360 degree casting ability that we need on a almost constant basis.

This is also way I use a hand held VHF that sits in a holder on the console (no huge mast that is not needed for inshore work to get in the way) and my cart plotter has a internal antenna so we keep the boat about as free as snags as possible. Matter of fact, we are considering cutting both the grab rail and windshield lower to save on even more space for forward casting clearance (and high tide under bridge access) when someone is standing and fishing from our version of a polling platform and crow nest, the leaning post .

I can post a picture (only have one and it was not taken at the greatest angle) if you would like to see how it is made.

Tight Lines!

[190steve.s]

One thing to think of no matter what you choose is to use toggles as opposed to plain old screws as underway you could easily pull the mounts loose when the top is up.........Steve