How to Measure for a Bimini Top for My Boat

If your boat does not have a bimini top installed, you can order and install one yourself. A bimini top is a fabric top that shades the boat from the sun. It connects to the boat by metal poles. The most important step is determining the correct size of the top. You must be able to use a tape measure accurately to ensure you purchase the correct size. You must determine how much of the boat you want the top to cover, how tall it will extend from the boat and the mounting width.

• 1

  Measure the width of your boat at the windshield. Most bimini tops attach to the windshield. Write that down as your bimini top width.

• 2

  Determine the height you want your top from the windshield. Allow enough height so you can easily walk under it, but allow for adequate shade as well. Stand inside the boat to accurately measure this dimension with a tape measure and write it down as the height.

• 3

  Measure the length of your boat's cockpit. Determine how much of the cockpit you want the top to cover. Make sure that you will still be able to enter and exit the boat efficiently and safely. A typical bimini top extends from the front of the windshield to the rear seats. Write the dimension down as the length.