Custom or stock bimini replacement?

[DaveC426913]

I need to replace my bimini which had a hole torn out of it over last season. It indicates strongly that it is too weather-worn to repair.

My PO had stern seats installed at Dowsar Marine, here in Hamilton, so the enclosure is not Mac stock.

If I order a stock bimini, I want to be sure it will fit. Is it a safe assumption that the zippers are all in the right orientation?

[Herschel]

I have a custom Bimini, dodger, and camping enclosure that zips together for overnights. I have had to repair my Bimini a couple of times, but haven't had to replace any component, yet. But, I have always thought that with all the zippers that are carefully set up to work only one way, that if I did need to replace a unit, I would definitely take the pieces to the canvas/Sunbrella fabricator so they could make sure everything that fit together was sewn correctly and tried out before job completion. And to get the same size zippers. I would be hesitant to buy anything premade off the shelf. I think our rigs are too individually unique.

[DaveC426913]

So, I would be taking it to a local canvasser? Not ordering it?
Doesn't that essentially mean they're making the entire thing from scratch? How would that work?

[paul I]

So, I would be taking it to a local canvasser? Not ordering it?
Doesn't that essentially mean they're making the entire thing from scratch? How would that work?

I guess I don't understand where this one is going, but i'll contribute to the confusion...

Dave,

I assume when you say the "enclosure is not Mac stock" there must be other pieces of canvas that have to attach to the bimini? Yes?

Do you know who made the enclosure? If Dowsar, give them a call and see if they can supply a replacement.

If you don't know who made the enclosure, then I would say you need to have a custom piece of canvas made, and then yes, contact a canvasser. Save the old piece to use as a pattern. (Is canvasser really a word?)

[Herschel]

So, I would be taking it to a local canvasser? Not ordering it?
Doesn't that essentially mean they're making the entire thing from scratch? How would that work?

I guess I don't understand where this one is going, but i'll contribute to the confusion...

Dave,

I assume when you say the "enclosure is not Mac stock" there must be other pieces of canvas that have to attach to the bimini? Yes?

Do you know who made the enclosure? If Dowsar, give them a call and see if they can supply a replacement.

If you don't know who made the enclosure, then I would say you need to have a custom piece of canvas made, and then yes, contact a canvasser. Save the old piece to use as a pattern. (Is canvasser really a word?)

Never actually said this on the forum, but I think I am in total agreement here. wonders never cease!

[Tomfoolery]

I'm still stuck on the stern rail seats.



I have the Dowsar enclosure for the , and I don't know how it could be modified to accept the seats, other than maybe tuck inside instead of outside. But that enclosure would then not be stock. Unless just the bimini is (not the stern and side curtains), but with the backstay deflected as it is in the photo, it wouldn't pass through the zippered hole as it normally would.

If the enclosure looks like the Dowsar setup except for the seats, then I'd call them about it. They might be able to replace it. Though I'm sure any good canvas shop could duplicate it, and make improvements along the way. Like a window panel so you can see a windex at the top of the mast. Which reminds me, I've got to replace mine before it gets warm. A winter project I conveniently forgot about.

[DaveC426913]

*sigh* Gonna set me back $1200.

That's almost 1/4 of the cost of the whole enclosure.

[DaveC426913]

I'm still stuck on the stern rail seats.



I have the Dowsar enclosure for the , and I don't know how it could be modified to accept the seats, other than maybe tuck inside instead of outside. But that enclosure would then not be stock. Unless just the bimini is (not the stern and side curtains), but with the backstay deflected as it is in the photo, it wouldn't pass through the zippered hole as it normally would.

If the enclosure looks like the Dowsar setup except for the seats, then I'd call them about it. They might be able to replace it. Though I'm sure any good canvas shop could duplicate it, and make improvements along the way. Like a window panel so you can see a windex at the top of the mast. Which reminds me, I've got to replace mine before it gets warm. A winter project I conveniently forgot about.

My enclosure goes outside the seats, and the backstay goes through the zippered hole as normal.

[Sea Wind]

could you use the old one as a pattern to make one yourself? That is what we did with ours, we did not have the zippers for an enclosure, but you can get those from sailrite.

[Highlander]

*sigh* Gonna set me back $1200.

That's almost 1/4 of the cost of the whole enclosure.

if ur full enclosure was bought from Dowsar then it was most likely made by Natty at Genco as u already have the frame u only need to re fabricate the canvas . give them a call they have a location right next to where u store & slip ur boat here,s the link
http://www.gencomarine.com/service/dodg ... nclosures/

Is this what your enclosure looks like ? this one doe,s not have the aft seats but I think the only diff is the two aft corner sections r larger to accommodate the aft seats
https://www.google.ca/search?q=genco+ma ... rje9PpReZM:

$1200. doe,s seem a little expensive who gave u that quote ? . Altho a new Dowsar full enclosure with aft rear seats installed will set u back about $12000.00 Can.
like this one
https://www.google.ca/search?q=genco+ma ... 6pErNQHxyM:

Doe,s ur enclosure have a S/S frame ? or an Alum frame !

J

[Tomfoolery]

I had no idea they were that close to where we launched for the MMOR. I'd have stopped in for a quick visit last time I was in Port Credit if I had realized that.

[DaveC426913]

if ur full enclosure was bought from Dowsar then it was most likely made by Natty at Genco as u already have the frame u only need to re fabricate the canvas . give them a call they have a location right next to where u store & slip ur boat here,s the link
http://www.gencomarine.com/service/dodg ... nclosures/

Huh! Thanks!

Is this what your enclosure looks like ? this one doe,s not have the aft seats but I think the only diff is the two aft corner sections r larger to accommodate the aft seats
https://www.google.ca/search?q=genco+ma ... rje9PpReZM:

Not quite.

But this is exactly what I was hoping for. I knew Dowsar themselves didn't make it, so I knew they woudn't be a lot of help. But it also didn't seem to make sense that I'd literally have to start again from scratch.

Gonna call them tomorrow!

$1200. doe,s seem a little expensive who gave u that quote ?

Bennet. On Torlake in Etob.

Doe,s ur enclosure have a S/S frame ? or an Alum frame !

J

Pretty certain it's SS.

[DaveC426913]

I had no idea they were that close to where we launched for the MMOR. I'd have stopped in for a quick visit last time I was in Port Credit if I had realized that.

And HMP is right across the road. Great place for SS accessories.

[Highlander]

I had no idea they were that close to where we launched for the MMOR. I'd have stopped in for a quick visit last time I was in Port Credit if I had realized that.

And HMP is right across the road. Great place for SS accessories.

Dave
If ur full enclosure has a S/S Frame there,s a good chance it was made by Genco Marine keeps us posted as to how u make out with Natty at Genco

J

[DaveC426913]

If ur full enclosure has a S/S Frame there,s a good chance it was made by Genco Marine keeps us posted as to how u make out with Natty at Genco

Will do. Gonna pop by tomorrow with my bimini.
Natty won't be there till next Saturday, but I can gt a head start on things.