Bimini Tops, or Boat Tops, are available in a wide variety of sizes, fabrics, and colors. Taylor Made and Westland are among the premier manufacturers of bimini tops and the accessories that support them. The right boat top for you depends on the size of your boat, your personal color preference, and how much money you are willing to pay for the most durable materials.
All Taylor Made boat tops are made from urethane-coated polyester, which is designed to never stretch, fade, or leak. Westland, on the other hand, offers four different materials. Made from dyed acrylic fabrics, Sunbrella is the best material offered by Westland. When maintained properly, Sunbrella tops will never fade in color, collect mildew, or lose their strength.
The next-best material is called Sharkskin, which is actually a 100 percent polyester substrate. Sharkskin is known for its durability and weather resistance. Westland backs the performance of its Sharkskin with a five-year warranty. Westland also makes a material called Cloudburst, which is 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton. Standard marine vinyl, while high quality, is not as durable as the other three materials and is the least expensive.
In addition to the material of the top, consider the metal used for tubing. Taylor Made and Westland both use durable metals, including heavy-duty aluminum and stainless steel. Stainless steel is generally the most expensive. Before purchasing any bimini top or bimini accessories, be sure to verify that all dimensions are appropriate for your boat. To shop for bimini tops, visit Go2Marine at www.go2marine.com.
