Ever seen a Venture with an arch?

[Kern O]

Most center consoles have T-tops because they allow you to move all the way around the boat. But in my world, I need shade and something to hang on to, so having T-top legs in the walking space and limited shade does not get it.

The other problem is that some T-tops look like your are looking out of a jail cell with tubes in the view. The Birdsall top that was on the Venture was pretty good for visibility, especially since it did not have any diagonal tubes, but the difference in visibility with the arch is still amazing.

Here's a shot of the boat with Scott from Henley at the helm:




Here's the boat with the arch in place. 4 inches more walk space on each side of the console and almost a full 180 degree view from the helm:





I've used a pair of stainless tubes to keep the top open rather than straps. That way the gunwales are clear. The tubes slip on studs on the arch and quick pin to the back of the bimini. I wanted the bimini flat and straight with the same shape front to back. You have to look close to see the stainless spreader tube, but it is dead level with the edge of the fabric.

[bluffman2]

looks great Kerno...

[Reel_Nauti]

Your an artist.

[Kern O]

When I got back to the boat this morning, I went to remove the two stainless tubes that hold the top open and realized just how much the fabric had tightened in the cold overnight.

Obviously a fixed length for the rods tubes was not going to cut it, so I decided to make them adjustable. I took some 3/4 inch aluminum threaded rod, two cast aluminum hand knobs and a couple nylon bushings and made them a snap to adjust. The threaded stock is fixed in the tubed end piece and slides in the nylon bushings pressed into the tubing. Tightening the knob forces the tube to slide aft on the threaded rod, making the whole thing longer. Here's a closeup of the one of the adjusters that are now on the forward end of the tubes:

[fishfighter]

Thats nice.I have a bimmini top on my Baja and yes it does give out alot of shade compare to a Teetop.Best part about having a bimmini top is when trailering or out to sea,you can fold them up and they don't act like a sail.