If you are interested here is a link to the video of me stomping Muscadines in a 45 Yeti. I do not do it in bare feet............
If you are interested here is a link to the video of me stomping Muscadines in a 45 Yeti. I do not do it in bare feet............
Well I dug thru old Bimini Top patterns I had saved to see if I couldn't just reuse one on this frame since it is narrower than other Biminis I made.
Patterning the Canvas 1.JPGPatterning the Canvas 2.JPGPatterning the Canvas 3.JPG
I did have a wider pattern that works but I needed to tape a small piece extra on one side as this pattern is a little lop-sided. Beginning with double stick Basting Tape I roll a strip over each Bow so I can just stick and adjust the pattern panels. Working the Aft Panel first I keep adjusting the material till it is smooth.
Patterning the Canvas 4.JPGPatterning the Canvas 5.JPGPatterning the Canvas 6.JPG
I measured down from the bends 8 inches and put a big dot on the frame. After tracing the top center of the middle bow all the way across I run another strip of double stick on the center bow but off aft of the line I just traced. Transferring the dots to the pattern allows me reference marks for trimming the sides of the pattern later. The aft bow was traced along the horizontal plane mid pipe all the way across too.
Patterning the Canvas 7.JPGPatterning the Canvas 8.JPGPatterning the Canvas 9.JPG
Now I can lay the forward panel pattern over the front bow working it aft securing it to the second piece of double stick behind the center bow line. We do this so I can trace the first center bow line onto the forward pattern panel. This gives a perfect pattern for this frame. After all wrinkles are worked on & tracing of the bows complete, the transferring of the 8 inch down dots is done, I give it a very hard look for any anomaly that would cause the new canvas not to fit properly. If nothing is found I remove the pattern which is what I did right after these pictures. This canvas will fit fantastic.
Had several tasks on tap for today and getting the Bimini Arch painted was one.
Bimini Arch Painting 1.JPGBimini Arch Painting 2.JPG
After washing the aluminum frame 3 times with a pre-cleaner to remove all the extrusion oil from the pipe I got to sanding.
Using a Snap-on 3in DA sander, a interface pad, & 180 grit paper I sanded all metal getting paint to apply a tooth to the substrate. Once it was sanded I moved it outside. After moving it I washed it 2 more times to be sure no oils or aluminum dust was left.
Bimini Arch Painting 3.JPGBimini Arch Painting 4.JPGBimini Arch Painting 5.JPG
To spray the PPG Refinish Epoxy & PPG Refinish Shop Line JAU Urethane I used a Harbor Freight Gravity Feed spray gun (El Cheap-o). I have used these purple guns for over 10 years and for spraying a Single Stage on boat parts it doesn't get any better.
Bimini Arch Painting 6.JPGBimini Arch Painting 7.JPGBimini Arch Painting 8.JPGBimini Arch Painting 9.JPG
I also need to be able to spray upside down so I'm using the 3-M PPS paint cup system. Not only is it disposable but the gun cleanup is a breeze. These paint cups need a special adapter to use them on your gun. You got to buy the correct one for each gun. Once I put the liner in the body in goes the paint, then the cap (which has a built in paint filter) which is locked on with the black ring. Then you invert your gun pressing the adapter on to the cup-cap, a 1/4 turn and its locked on. To get it to spray upside down you pull the trigger like you are trying to paint, all the air will be sucked out collapsing the cup. From then on it will spray in and position you put the gun in. When done, remove the liner & cap and let the paint harder inside. Once hardened you can throw the whole thing in the trash.
Bimini Arch Painting 11.JPGBimini Arch Painting 12.JPG
2 coats of Epoxy top coated with 2 coats JAU Urethane and I'm done.
Well among other tasks, like usual I have 5 things a day going. First off was replacing the wheel bearings in my Tin Boat Trailer. We've all done that so I didn't take pictures.
Installing Bimini Arch 1.JPGInstalling Bimini Arch 2.JPG
First things first, silicone bedding was used to grout the 2 bases of the Arch to the Cap of the boat. I realized I can reach about 1/2 way from the inside to thru screw/bolt the mounting hardware on the Shear. It would rip the fiberglass before it came off if I do that. Still mulling it over. Do I really want to tear the boat cap up over a arch that I can make another?
Installing Bimini Arch 3.JPGInstalling Bimini Arch 4.JPG
I put enough silicone that it oozed out just like I wanted to see it do. I know the Bases are fully Bedded to the Cap. Of course I cleaned up the excess, what a messy task. No pictures because I had silicone up to my elbows.
Installing Bimini Arch 5.JPG
Once attached I unmask the hinge areas before taking a last picture. After the bedding compound is fully cured I will finish fastening the Bases to the cap. I'm shopping the fabric now it will be Stamoid Lite in white with a Lime Green polyester protective boot. The grees should Pop against the Black paint.
Pretty slick Mister........ Nice.
Thank you Sir. The way I designed this I can fold it forward for trailering, fold it back just to get it out of the way, remove it completely if not needed, and of course deploy the top if desired. The gap of time between posting the first mention of adding a Arch Bimini and the beginning of fabrication was a designer's block. I wanted my cake and eat it too so to speak. I didn't lean the Arch risers inward because I really built it for function. Had I tilted the risers inward aesthetics would be better from the bow or stern. I needed function first.Originally Posted by paulrodbender
Pretty slick Mister........ Nice.
Well after the Panoptix transducers failing constantly on my other boats I decided to take the 2D Pole and Install a Livescope transducer on it.
Livescope Install 1.JPG
The handle is adjustable. I had so many Panoptix LVS22TR transducers fail numerous mounts were laying around so I cut a short section of 7/8 inch aluminum Bimini Top Bow material. Added some foam to dress up the handle a bit. Bought a 6mmx100 long bolt and SS fender washer to attach the tubing handle to the old Panoptix mount. I has a 6mmx100 threaded insert.
Livescope Install 2.JPG
Using the RAM mount short arm between the 2 balls it stows nicely being held in the back by a push pole holder I had laying around the shop.
Livescope Install 3.JPG
The Pole Cat Pole Push Holder works perfect.
Livescope Install 4.JPG
The Bow power distribution and NEMA 2000 Backbone are right in the forward port compartment so I installed the GLS10 box there too.
Livescope Install 5.JPG
I have been wearing out the Crappie here, a couple of pictures after dirtying up the boat with fish slime.
Crappie Catchin Yesterday.JPGCrappie Catchin Today.JPG
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