FAQ and Measuring Tips

The Cool-Kit solves this problem.

The type of top this customer is referring to is called a "convertible" top. They are designed to be used in foul weather to keep the occupants of the boat dry and out of the wind. It is not a good idea to use the existing "convertible" top brackets as most of them are located on the angled side panels of the windshield. These brackets work fine when used with a "convertible" top as when it is in place, the snaps, brackets, and top work as a single unit and all move as one piece in the wind or when the boat is slapping on the waves. If a bimini top is mounted to these brackets, the jarring from the top (it's pretty much free floating and all bimini tops have some amount of "side-play") can cause the glass in the windshield side panels to fracture. These side panels are normally made from tempered glass and locating a replacement glass is very difficult.

If at all possible, try to mount your top on the outside of the windshield. This provides much better coverage in the late afternoon and it just looks better cosmetically.

Our tops are unique in that the main bow assembly, (the one all the other bows are attached to) is constructed so that if you need to adjust the height of a unit, it can be accomplished very easily. Example: If a 46" high top is too high and the 36" high unit is too low, order the 46" high top and cut off 2 or 3 inches off of the bottom of the main bow. The pivots that are located on the ends of the main bow assembly are held in place with stainless steel set-screws. Simply remove the pivot and hack-saw off a couple of inches. Even if your cuts are not perfect, no one will ever know as the receptacle in the pivot (the part where the end of the bow slides into) is nearly a full inch deep. It's always a good idea to try the top on your boat in the original size first. Put it on, take it on the water for a day or so, and then decide if you really want to have it lower or not. Remember, you can always cut material off, but putting it back on, (especially with our double-tubed main bow assemblies) can be tough!

Dang good question! I have a 3 bow 43" high (it started as a 46" unit but I cut it down) 6 foot long top on my boat. My little ski boat will go 40 MPH tops. The top begins to "wobble" a little at this speed and when we're headed into a strong wind, (this increases the wind speed on the top) I like to slow down a bit. The real key is to be sure that the anchors of the 2 forward straps be placed into a solid area of your boat. Also, the further forward you can place these anchors, the stronger your top will be. Always put your top down when trailering your boat down the highway unless you use the optional bimini top support brackets.

A good rule of thumb to use when trying to calculate the appropriate location for your main mounts is this: On a 6 foot long top the brackets will be located approximately at the 3'-2" mark as measured from the front of the top and moving back.

On an 8 foot long top the brackets will be located approximately at the 4'-2" mark as measured from the front of the top and moving back.

Yes, we offer bimini top support braces and deck slides.

Yes. We offer all sizes listed on our web-site in Stainless Steel. Please give us a call for the pricing.

Our current production schedules are always posted right on our sites.

No. As you can see in our Online Installation Guide, there are no "unusual" tools required. A typical top will take 2 hours or so to install. It's really that easy!