So, you’re out cruising on your Quintrex tinnyin the ocean on a particularly hot day. Even though you’re thankful for the good weather, the heat of the sun is making you uncomfortable and you wish there was a shade you can take refuge in as you try to gather your wits.

While you’re thinking of this, you notice other boaters have a canopy over their boats that gives them shade as they sail. They look relaxed and cool as they are protected from the shade. You wonder, where did they get that?

After asking and searching online, the canopy is called a Bimini Top. This free-standing, waterproof canopy is used toprotect passengers and the boat itself from the elements and to create shade while retaining visibility from the helm and allowing air circulation. Biminis come in a various range of models, sizes, and colours for any boat size and style. Some are designed with side panels attached to the top with zippers. Biminis are either supported by aluminium or stainless-steel mounts.

The Advantages of Having a Bimini Top

Provides Comfort From the Sun’s Heat: Although sunny weather is enjoyed by boaters because it ensures good condition in the waters, however, the harsh heat from the ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage your skin leading to painful sunburns. It can also cause skin cancer as well.

While sunscreens are the best protection from these harmful rays, it’s still hot and uncomfortable being under the sun without some shade. A Bimini top can offer shade to boaters where they can be relieved from the heat and humidity. The great thing about Bimini tops is they come in various sizes and they can be mounted in different places on your boat.

Protect Boaters and the Boat’s Deck From Getting Soaked in the Rain: It’s no picnic getting caught in the rain, especially if it’s beating down hard and winds are rocking your boat. A Bimini boat top is useful to have when you need some shelter from the storm.

Protect Your Investment: If you have expensive equipment and gear installed in your boat, you know that if they get exposed to the elements, they will depreciate quickly and get damaged sooner than you expected. Bimini tops offer great shelter for your electronics and other carry-ons placed on your boat.

Maintenance for Bimini Tops

To keep your Bimini tops in tip-top shape, you need to practice regular maintenance.

Always lower down and fold up the Bimini top when you trailer the boat. The frame isn’t designed to be swayed by strong winds and vigorous shimmies and may tear the fabric into tiny pieces.

Spray the fabric down with a canvas protectant. Make sure you do this early in the day so it has plenty of time to dry since you have to give it a thorough wash-down before application. Some of these sprays require hours to dry properly though, so it’s best not to do it before a fishing trip. If your boat doesn’t have sufficient hand-holds, add them.

Use a mild soap to give the canvas a gentle scrub-down every month. Getting off the dirt will stain the canvass and ruin its waterproofing properties.

Watch your Bimini as your boat cruises. If it shakes from side to side, add some supports, even if all you can use are the straps. If you allow the side-to-side motion to continue without doing something to fix it, the mounts and joints will loosen over time.

If all of these reasons have convinced you to buy a Bimini top, you can purchase them in boat dealerships, or you can order them in online stores.