Pontoon Bimini Top Materials and Measurement
If you just bought a pontoon boat, you and your family must be looking forward to your first boating trip. However, before you head out on your excursion make sure to install a pontoon bimini top so that everyone on board stays comfortable. A pontoon bimini top is a protective structure or a cover to shield you from the sun or the rain. You can opt for a permanent pontoon bimini top or a removable one that you can store away.
Manufacturers use a variety of materials in building a pontoon bimini top. A typical material is cotton duck, which is the most affordable. However, it is not as durable as other materials so may leak and break down with constant exposure to high levels of UV rays.
A better fabric alternative is vinyl, which is actually the most widely used material for the construction of a pontoon bimini top. Vinyl is waterproof and easier to clean. You also have the option to choose from low to high quality vinyl. However, the top choice of material for your pontoon bimini top is acrylic. Not only does it look luxurious but it also offers excellent durability and weather resistance. While it is fade resistant, its color tends to fade more than the other materials.
Just like any accessory in your pontoon boat, it is important that you care for your pontoon bimini top so that it will last a long time. Take down the pontoon bimini top and give it a good cleaning, then dry and store it away. The best time to do this maintenance work is during winter when it is not the season for boating but it is recommended that you give the pontoon bimini top a good cleaning once in a while throughout the year to extend its life, considering that it is constantly exposed to the elements.
When shopping for a pontoon bimini top, make sure that you have the correct measurements - not too wide or too narrow for your boat. However, this does not mean that the width of the pontoon bimini top should be equivalent to the width of your boat. To get an accurate measurement, you should measure the distance from one side to the other exactly where you will attach the pontoon bimini top.
Likewise, you should also ensure that the pontoon bimini top is not too high so that it will not look awkward or too short so you and your guests can stand comfortably under it. A perfectly-fitting pontoon bimini top will certainly be effective in its function and will greatly improve the appearance of your boat.
