3 years of bimini drama solved! 2008 252

[dobone]

So Hurricance Harvey trashed my Bimini. I stupidly threw the bent frame and tore-up canvas away. Ive regretted that since day 1. Since, Ive realized how difficult it was to get older parts for cobalt boats. After many posts, phone calls, and such Im at the tail end of solving this drama. My goal was to get a replacement frame/top as it gets hot here in Texas and utilize the original quick release side mounts. Well BIG SHOUT OUT TO Lamar at Rinkers Lakeshore at Lake Conroe as he has help guide me alone with other resources to ALMOST be done with this drama. The original mounts had a plastic bushing in them to " prevent rattle" which was a flop. The end cap needed for a replacement with the bushing was non existent and certainly a top with the smaller end cap was nowhere to find local or on the internet. I EASILY removed the bushings wihout removing the mount itself (VERY DIFFICULT to remove due to location and use of nylon nuts). Once the bushing was removed, the newer or larger easily findable end caps fit perfectly! The plan is to finish the job with the "adjustable" Bimini poles from the dealership and either poles that filt or custom ones made after. Either way a HUGE win for me and my cobalt.

Also, in the process of using Durabak on the carpet as I am also plagued by the black sand of the undersurface of the carpet disintergrating. Those pics to follow as the project comes to a close.

I hope this helps someone else who is seeking such a solution.

[AsLan7]

.
Nice db... thanks for documenting this for others who may need guidance on this topic. U da' man.

.

[Big Block Power]

Very cool.

[Dudley67]

So Hurricance Harvey trashed my Bimini. I stupidly threw the bent frame and tore-up canvas away. Ive regretted that since day 1. Since, Ive realized how difficult it was to get older parts for cobalt boats. After many posts, phone calls, and such Im at the tail end of solving this drama. My goal was to get a replacement frame/top as it gets hot here in Texas and utilize the original quick release side mounts. Well BIG SHOUT OUT TO Lamar at Rinkers Lakeshore at Lake Conroe as he has help guide me alone with other resources to ALMOST be done with this drama. The original mounts had a plastic bushing in them to " prevent rattle" which was a flop. The end cap needed for a replacement with the bushing was non existent and certainly a top with the smaller end cap was nowhere to find local or on the internet. I EASILY removed the bushings wihout removing the mount itself (VERY DIFFICULT to remove due to location and use of nylon nuts). Once the bushing was removed, the newer or larger easily findable end caps fit perfectly! The plan is to finish the job with the "adjustable" Bimini poles from the dealership and either poles that filt or custom ones made after. Either way a HUGE win for me and my cobalt.

Also, in the process of using Durabak on the carpet as I am also plagued by the black sand of the undersurface of the carpet disintergrating. Those pics to follow as the project comes to a close.

I hope this helps someone else who is seeking such a solution.

Let me know about the adjustable poles, I enquired here and no longer available. Have asked if the 200/220 series front poles are adjustable.

Dud

[dobone]

My dealership did not call cobalt as we found fixed poles that worked perfect for me. The problem he said was as soon as you tell them the year, they will tell you the part is not available. The only way to get them is to find a newer model with the same part is my guess.

[dobone]

Done.

[Dudley67]

My dealership did not call cobalt as we found fixed poles that worked perfect for me. The problem he said was as soon as you tell them the year, they will tell you the part is not available. The only way to get them is to find a newer model with the same part is my guess.

Just played that game this morning, told em the 19 A series has the same poles... Crickets ever since...