Measure Your Boat for a Bimini Top
Here is a simple step-by-step process to accurately measure for your new Bimini top. If you get stuck at any point, or have any questions, call or email us. We’ll be happy to help.
Step 1: Midpoint
Finding the midpoint is crucial. It determines the length, width, and height you will need. To find the midpoint, determine the area of your boat you want the Bimini top to cover. Then find the center point of that area.
Step 2: Width
To find the width, find the midpoint of the area you would like covered. This will determine your mounting points. To get the width you need, measure the distance between the main mounting points from port to starboard.
Step 3: Length
A boat’s top length runs from bow to stern. Use the midpoint of your coverage area to determine the Bimini length you will need. For example, if you are looking to cover a 6’ long area, your midpoint will have 3’ coverage in the front and 3’ in the back.
Step 4: Height
The last step is to determine the height. To do this, stand inside the boat and measure from the mounting points (NOT the floor) up to the desired overhead position of the Bimini. This determines the height relative to the mounting point. You will have less shade as the height increases, so find the height that will work best for you.
To make sure you will have enough clearance, add the height from the boats’ floor to the mounting point and the height of the Bimini top. For example, if you have 20” from the floor to the mounting point and you are looking for a 40” high Bimini top, your total clearance will be 60”.
Clearance = height from the floor to mounting point + Bimini height
20” + 40”= 60” Clearance height
Laying Length
Some biminis are designed to lay flat when not deployed. When you lay your Bimini top down, it becomes longer. (This is because the bows are nestling together). If you have limited space, this measurement can be important to consider. Laying length is determined by measuring from the top of the mounting point/deck hinge to the top of the frame when laying flat.