This bimini is a Pain in the .....

[AsLan7]

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Well, I finally got around to opening the two part bimini for this 263 with stainless arch. It was a fairly easy set up on the 262 without the arch. Not so on this boat. It took me an hour to figure out how to put it up and then stow it again. Now that I know how to set up, it would take me a good 15-20 minutes. Ughhhh. Way to long. I thought the 3 minute set up on our 262 was too long.

The good news is that it covers the entire cockpit (although it doesn't look it as the sun is setting in the west behind me) and could withstand Hurricane force winds with the way it's designed. ...well, maybe not Irma.

Some pics:

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[Big Block Power]

Piece of cake.lol
Once I figured out mine it was nice. It's a bit tight though. I think it shrunk a little. It must have gotten cold.lol

[cmattj]

Looks nice though ! Sturdy as if it will be taught at speed.. I like!!!

[AsLan7]

Looks nice though ! Sturdy as if it will be taught at speed.. I like!!!

Maybe that's why I'm rev limited--so I don't become a kite!

[NautiGirl]

I remember trying to figure ours out for the first time in a huge rain storm that blew up on the lake one day....not that having the bimini up actually blocked us from any rain that day but it was worth a try! We know how it works now so we are ready for the next storm!!

I do like the way it goes up though...makes it very sturdy!

[Ytmsn]

I sure like that arch A7. If I ever run across one I may snag it. They tell me 2001 wasn't reinforced at the mounting points but I see 2000's and 01's with them all the time? What do you know about that on the 260 series?

[AsLan7]

I sure like that arch A7. If I ever run across one I may snag it. They tell me 2001 wasn't reinforced at the mounting points but I see 2000's and 01's with them all the time? What do you know about that on the 260 series?

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Thx Ytmsn.

For three years, we searched far and wide for this loaded Cobalt 263 since I've never seen a factory OEM stainless steel arch for sale. I do not like the look of any of the aftermarket arches since most do not work with the lines of the boat. They almost look like an after thought.

The earlier Cobalt 260 series have the aluminum and fiberglass arches. I think these are what you are referencing. The stainless steel $10,000 upgrade arch with reinforced hull came later.
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[Big Block Power]

I remember trying to figure ours out for the first time in a huge rain storm that blew up on the lake one day....not that having the bimini up actually blocked us from any rain that day but it was worth a try! We know how it works now so we are ready for the next storm!!

I do like the way it goes up though...makes it very sturdy!

Yes and mine doesn't protect the people in the rear seat at all. It's a pretty small binimi.

[NautiGirl]

I remember trying to figure ours out for the first time in a huge rain storm that blew up on the lake one day....not that having the bimini up actually blocked us from any rain that day but it was worth a try! We know how it works now so we are ready for the next storm!!

I do like the way it goes up though...makes it very sturdy!

Yes and mine doesn't protect the people in the rear seat at all. It's a pretty small binimi.

Is that on your 220 or 222? With the tower the Bimini gives you pretty good coverage sitting in the rear.

[Big Block Power]

I remember trying to figure ours out for the first time in a huge rain storm that blew up on the lake one day....not that having the bimini up actually blocked us from any rain that day but it was worth a try! We know how it works now so we are ready for the next storm!!

I do like the way it goes up though...makes it very sturdy!

Yes and mine doesn't protect the people in the rear seat at all. It's a pretty small binimi.

Is that on your 220 or 222? With the tower the Bimini gives you pretty good coverage sitting in the rear.

220. My 200 & 220 without a tower had great coverage but was lacking a bit over the captain chairs. With the tower it's opposite. I'm ok with that.lol
The 222 I didn't even open it up. I took it off right away. They didn't have a boot for it so I bought one now it's in the garage.
I just like how they stow on a tower. Nice and it off the way. So I'll keep this one on the boat now all the time where I used to take it off. Plus it's really light compared to the other non tower ones that weigh a ton.

[Tuscany]

A couple more attempts, and it’ll go up in seconds A7. Practice practice practice!
None of them cover everything. As long as it covers me, I’m happy.
The rest of my family are sun lovers.

The new rotating Bimini sounds interesting. Looks like it allows side movement to block out the sun as it moves throughout the afternoon.

[Big Block Power]

We all know Yt had the cure for binimi coverage.

[Driller]

We all know Yt had the cure for binimi coverage.

And it looked soooooo sporty. But I was considering the “custom add-on” when it was 107 deg this summer.

[Ytmsn]

Dang skippy. Y'all can look cool all you want, but I'll BE cool.

[Big Block Power]

We all know Yt had the cure for binimi coverage.

And it looked soooooo sporty. But I was considering the “custom add-on” when it was 107 deg this summer.

Sorry but I would toast in a 107 degree heat. No way would I be on the water toasting in that. Heck 90 is hot. You are sweating just looking at the boat.