Bimini Top for Boat: UV Protection on the Water

When a purchase is made through our links, we may earn a commission from Amazon, West Marine and other online businesses. You can learn about our content and affiliate policies on this page.

Your shade solution: Bimini Tops For Boats

Picture this:

It’s a gorgeous, hot, and sunny day and you and your guests are out on the water.

As gentle waves lap against the side of your boat, you revel in the freedom of being on the endless expanse of the water.

But there’s a problem amidst this idyllic scenario…

The intense midday sun is beating down on you and your crew, making it almost unbearable.

But wait!

There’s an easy fix to help make your time on the water a bit more enjoyable, and that’s a bimini top for your boat.

Bimini Tops are a great solution for boaters with smaller boats looking to escape the intense UV rays when enjoying the water.

These expandable shade providers help keep the main portion of your boat cool and under the shade as you explore the elements.

In this article, we dive into the world of Bimini top for boats, your UV protection solution on the water.

We explore some of the top picks for quality bimini tops that are available online for boaters, as well as extra information about what to look out for when purchasing your next bimini top.

Whether you’re an avid boater, or simply a weekend warrior, having a quality bimini top for your boat helps provide both UV protection and much-needed shade for days of enjoying the ocean.

So join us as we navigate our way through some of the top picks for boaters in the world of bimini tops for boating and learn how this simple addition to your boat can completely transform your boating experience.

Now, onto the top picks for bimini tops on your boat!

Honorable Mention Best Bimini Top for Boat

MSC Bimini Top with Rear Support

What are bows on a Bimini Top?

After having a look at our list of recommended bimini tops, one question may be lingering…

What’s a bow in the context of a boat bimini top?

On a bimini top, “Bows” refer to the number of support structures that the bimini top has to keep the canvas top in place on your boat.

Popular bimini top models feature 2, 3, or 4-bow support, with the bows being the frame structure that provides support to the canvas from one side of your boat to the other.

Typically, bimini top bows can be characterized in the following usage:

2-bow: Made for smaller boats and personal watercraft.

3-bow: The most popular bimini top configuration, used on center consoles, performance boats and other setups.

4-bow: Used on larger boats and in pontoon setups for larger shade protection.

Choosing the right bow configuration for your bimini top comes down to the size of your boat, your expected usage, and other considerations related to the size of your preferred shade onboard your vessel.

How do you measure your boat for a bimini top?

Choosing the right-sized bimini top for your boat is a pretty straightforward process.

However, since every boat is unique, it’s important to carefully consider the coverage you need in order to select the correct bimini top size.

In order to make sure that you are choosing the correct size for your boat, simply follow these instructions:

Step 1: Using a tape measure, measure the appropriate length of the desired amount of shade coverage you wish to provide for your boat. This will be the length measurement of your bimini top.

Step 2: Identify the pivotal mounting point for your bimini top, which is approximately in the center of the length that you measured previously.

Step 3: From that point, measure the distance from the approximated mounting point on the starboard side of your boat to the approximated mounting point on the port side of your vessel. This will become the width measurement for your bimini top.

Step 4: While standing inside your vessel, measure from one of your pivotal mounting points that you identified in step 2, straight up to determine your desired height for your bimini top.

Once you have these measurements, you can easily select the bimini top that most closely matches one of the available sizing options that are offered in your selected bimini top product.

By carefully considering and measuring these components, you can most efficiently choose the best-fit bimini top for your unique boat.

One critical note is to always consider manufacturer details and guidelines to help you select the best-fit bimini top for your boat based on instructions from the manufacturer themselves.  

Boat Bimini Top Benefits

Bimini Tops provide a number of benefits for boaters. 

Some of these include:

UV & Sun Protection: While obvious, bimini tops provide comprehensive shade for a boat’s deck. The shaded areas provide much-needed UV protection for boaters who would otherwise be exposed constantly to the harmful UV rays from the sun while on the water. 

Heat Reduction: By providing shade under the canopy, bimini tops can help to reduce the heat on a vessel. This can help to keep seating areas cooler which can make the boat much more comfortable for boaters in extended periods on the water. 

Shelter from the Elements: Bimini tops also provide cover from the elements for boaters. A quality bimini top will help to keep the rain off your guests while underway, thus providing a more comfortable boating experience, even in rainy conditions. 

Wind blockage: Bimini Tops can help reduce wind exposure, especially when underway, which can help your boating guests have a much more enjoyable experience on your boat. 

Ease of Use: Bimini tops are easily deployed or folded away, which makes for an efficient solution for boaters to use the bimini on an as-needed on-demand basis. 

Protecting seats and boat equipment: Bimini tops help to protect and lengthen the lifespan of seats, electronics and other portions of your boat, lowering the overall maintenance and cost of operation of your boat in the long run. 

Extended time on the water: The shade provided by bimini tops can help extend the time that boaters can enjoy a day on the water by providing protection from the sun and heat. 

Health of Guests: Having a bimini top can provide your guests with a quick and easy way to get out of the sun, which in turn can prevent heat-related illnesses like heat stroke. 

While there are more benefits that bimini tops provide, this list outlines some of the most critical reasons why boaters need a bimini top for boat. 

How fast can I go with a Bimini top?

While most bimini tops are designed to perform while a boat is underway, the speeds at which you can safely use them can vary depending on a variety of factors.

These primary factors come down to the quality of the construction of the bimini top, how the bimini top is mounted, and the suggested usage from the manufacturer.

Most manufacturers advertise top speeds of around 25-30 miles per hour, with some options providing more speed for boaters on higher-quality models.

However, if you plan to use your Bimini top at higher speeds, it is best to consider a thru-bolt setup in the mounting process on your boat.

As with any product, it is best to rely on the manufacturing guidelines with respect to what your unique product can handle on the water with respect to top speeds.

Bimini Top Buying Guide

A Bimini Top is a valuable addition to any boat that can provide your guests with a more comfortable journey.

From providing shade on sunny days to effective cover in rainstorms, the Bimini Top is an easy and simple way to make your day on the water a more enjoyable experience.

But with so many options on the market for boaters, it can be easy to get overwhelmed when selecting the best bimini top for your needs.

That’s why we’ve put together this simple buying guide to help you identify some of the most important considerations when choosing your next Bimini Top.

Some of these important considerations include:

Size and Fit on your Boat:

The first, and most important consideration, when choosing a new Bimini top comes down to the size of the Bimini top that you are looking to install on your boat.

As we have outlined, Bimini tops come in a variety of sizes that offer different lengths, widths and heights designed to fit on your unique boat.

To help select the best-fit Bimini top for your boat, be sure to look at these important measurements:

1. Length overall: First determine the length of the area that you wish to cover with shade on your boat’s deck. Do so by considering the mounting point for your bimini and measuring out from there. Typically, the mounting point is midway between your expected shadow length on your gunwales.

2. Width: Using the same mounting point, measure the distance between the two mounting points on your starboard and port gunwales to determine the overall width of your boat’s bimini.

3. Consider Height: Bimini Tops are built at different heights and choosing the right height can have a great impact on the comfort level of your new bimini. If you are taller or need more space, be sure to select a Bimini top model that provides more clearance for you and your guests.

Knowing your boat’s unique sizes can help you select the best-fit bimini top for your cruising adventures.

Construction Materials:

The next important consideration comes down to the construction materials used to manufacture your new Bimini Top.

With respect to the fabric on your bimini top, look out for durable materials that provide UV resistance, water repellency and colors that don’t fade or bleed.

With respect to the frame, be sure that your new Bimini Top is constructed with lightweight and reliable materials that can hold up to the harsh marine environment without rusting or being easy damaged.

With respect to the mounting hardware, always opt for products that come with stainless steel gear to be sure that everything mounted can resist the corrosive environments around boats, especially in saltwater.

Color and Pattern:

Bimini tops come in a variety of colors for boaters.

While it seems obvious, be sure to choose a Bimini fabric color that matches or complements the other accents on your boat.

Choosing colors that match your boat’s theme can make your Bimini look more personalized to your unique boat, increasing the overall appeal at the waterline.

Mounting Options:

As you have seen in our product guide, Bimini tops can be setup in a variety of ways.

Many of the options that we highlighted above provide both four-strap setups that allow for complete fold-down functionality when the Bimini is not in use, or the two-strap and two-pole setups that provide a fold-back functionality on the water.

Choosing a Bimini Top that includes the style of mounting that you prefer can help you get exactly what you are looking for in your choice for a new Bimini Top.

Other mounting considerations also include how the Bimini top will mount to your boat’s existing structure, either with deck-mounted or rail/gunwale-mounted options.

And of course, as we have previously mentioned, always be on the look out for high-quality mounting hardware that skips on plastics and cheap metals and instead offers reliable and durable mounting brackets and stainless steel hardware.

UV Protection:

The fabrics and canvases that are used to manufacture Biini tops vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next. 

Be on the lookout for bimini tops that specifically advertise a high-quality fabric canvas that is completely UV-protective. 

There’s nothing worse than ordering your new Bimini top only to find out that the canvas used is flimsy and doesn’t provide you with the full protection from the sun that you were looking for when originally choosing a new Bimini top.  

Water Resistance:

The next consideration for you during the process of selecting a Bimini top comes down to water resistance and the ability of the canvas to repel water.

Outside of UV protection, one of the most fundamental reasons for having a Bimini top on your boat is to provide protection from the elements. 

Choosing a Bimini top that is built to specifically wick away rain and other elements while you are on the water to provide you with complete coverage and protection is key. 

Storage Capacity:

Next up on the list of considerations for choosing a new Bimini Top comes down to how your Bimini Top will be stored and protected from the elements when not in use. 

Look out for Bimini’s that provide easy fold-back or fold-down functionality while coming with all-in-one storage boots or covers to keep your Bimini out of the sun when at the dock. 

Any marine fabric will deteriorate if constantly exposed to UV and the elements over the long term. 

Be sure to have the option to put away your Bimini top when you aren’t on the water to help improve the lifespan of your new product.  

Product Warranty:

It seems obvious, but be sure to confirm manufacturer warranties that cover product defects.

A good warranty can help to provide added peace of mind when purchasing a higher end Bimini top product that you expect to perform for you in harsh marine environments. 

Customer Reviews:

The final consideration is something that most online buyers are pretty aware of in today’s digital world. 

But it goes without saying that looking into customer reviews can be a great starting point to confirm that any potential product lines up with your expectations before buying. 

The products that we have highlighted in our list above all have very positive reviews from actual verifiable purchasers, but be sure that any other Bimini Top options that you choose or find online have positive recommendations from purchasers. 

As you can see, choosing the Bimini top for your boat can require some thought and research.

In this article, we have tried to shine a light on a list of trusted and well-reviewed Bimini Tops for Boats to help you narrow your options.

However, it’s important that you choose your product based on the unique needs of your life on the water!

And be sure to follow all manufacturer guidelines for installation and safety precautions closely to achieve the best results for your treasured marine vessels.

Final Thoughts on Bimini Tops for Boats

At the end of the day, a quality Bimini Top is much more than just a good-looking accessory for your boat.

They provide shade against the elements, protection from wind and rain that is frequently encountered on the water, and increase the comfort level of cruising on your boat for both you and your guests.

Remember that protection from the intense UV rays on the water is not just a comfort, but a necessity, to help provide a better experience for your family and friends.

It’s for this reason that investing in a quality Bimini top is really an investment in your own comfort and safety onboard your vessel.

With modern UV and weatherproof construction materials, a quality Bimini top offers refuge on the water during a long day of adventures.

So whether you are taking a Sunday cruise in the intercoastal, or headed offshore to land a treasured gamefish, be sure that a quality Bimini Top is ready to provide you and your boaters with protection and comfort in an otherwise vast expanse of heat and UV exposure.

We hope that our guide has helped to introduce you to some of the important considerations when selecting a new Bimini top and offers some great recommendations for your Bimini top needs.

Wishing you shade, comfort and joy on even the sunniest of days with your new Bimini top for your boat!

Let us know down below in the comments if our guide helped your search!

—

Did you like this article? Did it help your search to find the perfect type of boat? Leave us a comment below and join the conversation!

Or have a look at some of our other marine guides including Gifts for Boat Owners, or informative posts like our Boat Grill Review, Anchor Chain Solutions, choosing the Best Fishing Hats, Selecting the Best Marine Stereo, or our guide to Haulover Inlet!