Bimini Top Parts, So Many Choices!
Learn about choices and replacement Parts
Locate and find solutions for your bimini top parts and find replacements for nylon hardware.
- Learn names along with photos
- Learn what job these parts perform
- Learn when and why to use a particular part
- Learn tips for using or installing various parts
- Have a question that needs an answer? Ask it here!
Bimini top parts come in both metal and plastic.
The metal can be stainless
steel or other types of metal, such as chrome-plated zinc.
Stainless Steel bimini top hardware is better than all other types of metal for bimini top hardware.
Here is a nice article explaining the difference between 316 and 304 marine stainless steel
Bimini Top Parts for Mounting
The following photos show a variety of stainless steel bimini top hardware and bimini top accessories mounting hardware.
These fittings will work in a variety of situations such as flat surfaces, rails, and side mounts.
Standard Flat Surface bimini top Deck mount hinges
 Straight Deck Mount Hinge |
 Angled Deck Mount Hinge |
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Angle Shims Used to Correct the Angle of Deck HingesBimini Top Swivel Deck Hinges for versatile mounting solutions
 45˚ and 90° Universal Bimini Top Swivel Deck Hinge |
 Heavy Duty 90° Adjustable Bimini Top Swivel Deck Hinge |
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Bimini Top Side Mount Plates for Vertical Surfaces
 Bimini Top Side Mount Deck Plate (4 hole) |
 Bimini Top Side Mount Deck Plate (2 hole) |
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Side Mount with Concave Base 75 DegreesBimini Tops Rail Mount Hardware
 Concave Deck Mount Hinge |
 Hinged Jaw Slide |
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Machine Screws for SS Side Mount Deck Plate 2 Hole & SS Hinged Jaw SlideNylon Deck Hinges
Nylon Deck Hinges
 Nylon Deck Hinge/Slide Combination |
 Nylon Slide for Deck Hinge |
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Mounting Tips for Bimini Top Stainless Steel hardware hinges
- Use at least # 10 stainless steel screws for mounting hinges.
- Screws should be over 1" in length. Deck hinges take a lot of strain.
- Always caulk your screws before installing mounting hardware.
- Always countersink the fiberglass before installing a screw.
Countersinking means the hole you have drilled needs the fiberglass reamed out around the opening to keep the screw from cracking the fiberglass as it enters the boat. This can be done with the same phillips head bit you are using to put the screw in.
Drilling into a stainless steel railing requires a sharp, new cobalt or titanium drill bit. It helps to have a center punch to indent the stainless steel where you want to begin drilling.
Stainless steel requires thread tapping for a SS bolt, since screws won't thread into stainless steel.
Bimini Top Quick release mounting hardware
 Quick Release Bimini Deck Hinge |
 Round Head Quick Release Bimini Deck Hinge |
Why would you want to use quick release bimini top parts?
Because they are low profile and allow for quick removal of your top from the boat. Sport fishermen, water skiers, etc. love these quick release hinges, but they are pricey.
Problem Solving Mounting Accessories
This next set of accessories highlights some of the problem solving mounting accessories you will need as companions to your mounting hardware.
 Knurl Screw |
 Slide Locks - Nylon |
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 Quick Release Pin with Pin and Cable |
 Quick Release Pin with DCAM-S Ring |
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Shims/Wedges correct the angle at which hinges sit on your boat when installed.
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9˚Nylon Shims |
(Top View) |
 10˚Oval Nylon Shims |
 9˚Nylon Shims |
(Side View) |
 10˚Oval Nylon Shims |
- Knurl screws are nice for easy removal without a screw driver.
- Slide Locks are inserted in the bimini slide track to secure the slider mechanism.
- Quick Release pins can replace screws in bimini top fittings. This aids in quick bimini top frame removal. However this would require enlarging the existing holes with a drill and the correct size drill bit.
- Wedges can be used for angle correction. Deck hinges installed on boats that don't have the correct angle may not be compatible with the angle of the bimini top you are installing.
- Wedges can act as a shim to correct the problem. Just remove your deck hinge from the boat, re-caulk, and add the appropriate wedge or shim between the deck hinge and the boat. You can even add more than one for a more severe angle correction.
Ball Socket Hinges and Fittings
We're showing this group of parts together. These fittings are not interchangeable with any other type of fitting. They stand alone as specialty bimini top parts hardware.
 Ball Socket Large Flat Base Deck Hinge |
 Ball Socket Concave Base Deck Hinge |
 Ball Socket Flat Base Deck Hinge |
Pull Pin w/Lanyard for Ball Socket Deck Hinges
 Ball Eye End |
 90° Ball Eye End |
Ball Socket Jaw SlideYou will want these swivel fittings for three reasons:
First, these are heavy duty, expensive looking fittings and they look great on boats!
Second, and more importantly, they serve a very special purpose. They allow an irregular frame to bend, lay, and store smoothly. An example might be a bimini that is wider in the front than the aft.
Third, with the swiveling ball and socket you can move your bimini in ways that other fittings won't allow.
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Set Screw for Bimini Top Fittings |
Jaw Slides
Bimini Top FrameJaw Slides and Eye Ends are bimini top parts that join the frame together.
 Standard Jaw Slides |
 Nylon Jaw Slides |
Most boats have the standard jaw slide
nothing unusual about that, but look at the Next three!
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Hinged Jaw Slides are often used for mounting tops or support arms to the boat railing. They are very handy hinges and can be used anytime you need a hinge that needs to open and fit around the tubing. |
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Side Mount Jaw Slides are used to reconfigure a bimini that is held open with straps to a self-supported bimini. By adding a support arm on each side of the frame, this pushes the bimini top open with pressure. |
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Hinged Sliding Side Mount Jaw Slide is used the same as the side mount above, but opens to clamp onto the frame making it much easier to put in place where needed. |
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Set Screw for Bimini Top Fittings |
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Machine Screws for Hinged Jaw Slides |
Machine Screws for Hinged Jaw Slides (above) |
Look! no straps!
Self Supporting
Notice how this bimini top has no straps. When the support poles run horizontally is considered self supporting.
Eye Ends
Outside Eye End
 Nylon Inside Eye Ends |
 Nylon Outside Eye Ends |
Adjustable Eye End*A note on inside eye ends:
The sizes shown above are for the outside diameter. So a 3/4" inside eye fits inside a 3/4" outside diameter tube.
Tips for
Troublesome Eye Ends
Broken inside eye ends
are difficult to get out.
Solution: Cut them off and cap the end with an outside eye end. Be careful to cut right where the metal tubing begins so you don't shorten the legs.
Set screw won't hold the leg of the bimini.
Solution: Use outside eye ends with 2 set screws. I especially love this eye end. The double set screw gives extra holding power and since the eye end is the chief component responsible for this action, extra holding power is vital.
Sagging bimini top you just can't pull out.
Solution: Retrofit your support arms with adjustable eye ends pictured above and you can hand twist the pole to tighten and loosen the fabric.
Allen wrench stripped and spinning in the set screw.
Solution: Here is a trick we use that works like a charm most of the time.
- Take your Allen wrench and grind the tip down on a grinder until you get past the rounded out end. This will create a bur at the end of the Allen wrench.
- Take your Allen wrench back to the boat and use a mallet to tap the burred end of the Allen wrench into the set screw.
- Slowly back out the set screw. The bur fills the space and creates a new gripping surface.
- If that fails, drill out the damaged set screw and replace the bimini top fitting with a new one.
a few other bimini top parts worth mentioning
 Snap Button |
 Locking Rail Hinge |
Nylon Boat Top Spacer for Clear Vinyl Side Curtains
Nylon Boat Top Spacer- Snap Button - You may have support arms on your bimini top that adjust in length by pressing in a button , sliding, and allowing the button to pop out of the next hole. The snap button pictured above is the mechanism that allows this to happen. It often get's lost, so I thought I would give you the photo and the name for replacement purposes.
- Locking rail hinge – This piece of hardware is used to collapse the support arm brace of dodgers quickly in order to move the self-supported frame out of the way. Gemlock® is another type of the same style hinge.
- Side curtain spacer – Used to keep clear vinyl boat enclosure panels off of the metal frame so they don't burn or get scratched by the metal frame.
Bimini Top Pole Clips
These pole clips are used to attach the support pole to the frame or to other tubing on your boat.
Bimini Top Pole Clip Holder / Curtain Spacer
These pole clips work easily for 7/8" OD Tubing holding your poles securely and eliminate scratching and discoloration on enclosures.
Bimini Top Parts used in making bimini top straps
 Eye Strap |
 Single Bar Adjuster Buckle |
 Dee Ring |
 Wire Snap Hook |
 Heavy Duty Snap Hook |
Plastic bimini top parts are common on factory canvas. It makes sense to consider replacing with heavy duty parts since bimini top parts are under so much stress. That includes choosing the heavy duty snap hooks instead of wire snap hooks when possible. See our web page bimini top accessories for a more detailed discussion of bimini top straps.
Bimini top support poles are also covered in detail on our bimini top accessories page.
We hope this gives you a good overview of bimini top parts and a few tips you can use. Feel free to contact us with questions!
Do You Have a Question You Would Like to Ask About Bimini Top Parts?
We'd like to help you find a solution! You just might be able to help someone else trying to solve the same problem. Please include your email address, We may choose to contact you directly with an answer to your question.
What Questions Have Other Visitors Asked?
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
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Hi,
Your correct that most of the mounting …
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I am looking for replacement knobs that fit over the nut that tightens and loosens my front Bimini support arm.
I am looking for replacement knobs that fit over the nut that tightens and loosens my front Bimini support arm. They are cracked at the base and will …
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When we had another Bimini top made by Lowe so that we could cover our entire pontoon, it did not come with support posts. When we bring it down to fold …
What tool is used to ‘crimp’ the Bimini pole around an inside eye ends?
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Where can I order Replacement poles?
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Allen Key not fitting
My Allen key does not fit the screws to just my canopy so the two side curtains can go out properly how do I get the screws out properly thank you Mike …
My boat cover keeps ripping
... and it always starts where the bimini deck hinges chafe it. Other than sewing in extra fabric at the chafe points, is there a cover or something that …
Installing a Bimini Cover
HI I am fitting a Bimini cover to a Flybridge and I want to avoid drilling any holes. So my query is can I use 4 Hinged Jaw Slides to receive the 4 Nylon …
where do you find the deck mount that you were talking about when replacing the straps with a rigid pole?
I am trying to replace the back support straps with rigid poles and need to find the deck mounts you were talking to a Randy about.
replacement poles for Bayliner 2858 Ciera
I have all of the canvas but all of the poles are missing-bought the boat used and assumed it was all there .....
Permanent fix for stripped bimini hinge screw threads
I have a 2006 Cobalt 262 & a window mount bimini hinge has mounting screws that have stripped the threads in the window frame. Larger screws - stripped …
What is the name of the bracket that mounts the Bimini light to the Bimini?
The part that attaches the light to my Bimini broke
How can I repair a bent bimini top tube component - hit garage while backing in.
I have a real nice aluminum tubed bimini top on a 2005 Bryant 219 Bowrider. I had the top up in the collapsed position and hit the garage backing in. …
Where can I find the connector shown
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How to get measurement of bimini frame
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What is the name of the straps at the front of the bimini that tie up the rolled up zipper door ? I can't find them.
I need replacement Straps that hold up the rolled up bimini zipper door. I can't find them or even find out the name of these little straps. Please help. …
Bimini top parts side and connector curtain sew in windshield channel
I own a 1998 32' Chris-Craft Express Cruiser and need to locate the semi-rigid black plastic/vinyl material that's sewn into and along the bottom edge …
Pads for retactable bimini tops
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quick release Bimini Pole Mount.
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Looking for a bimini top accessory...
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What to use installing a square bimni on boat with 7" gunnel
I have a old pontoon bimini frame i am trying to install it on a founder boat. Both are 97" wide. But the gunnel is 7" wide also no eyes in bottom of poles …
Loose Bimini Support pole
Have a vertical pole that has outside eye ends that connects to a Straight Deck Hinge with screw on one end, and to a jaw slide with screw on the other. …
mounting & dis-mounting for travel
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84 sea ray 260 rail mounts
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Maybe you can download a photo for me and I may have …
Can I use stainless fittings on aluminum poles
I have a Bimini top that has all nylon fittings. I was hoping to change to a stronger metal fitting. I am concerned about putting stainless and Aluminum …
Have a 14 foot Smoker craft - Voyager can I put a Bimini top with out drilling ? Thank you
Hello I have a 14 foot smoker craft - Voyager can I put a bimini top with out drilling ? thanks
Only if you have railings of some type to attach the …
Can you install a bimini top facing in the wrong direction?
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Need all new enclosure poles
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Can you replace the front hold down straps with a rigid snap brace?
Want to replace front hold down straps with rigid braces that snap onto top of side rail.
Hi Randy,
Yes, you can replace the strap.
You will need …
how can I raise my small boat Bimini top about 6" ~ I am 6'5".
When I stand up in my boat I have to crouch, being very tall. I need pole extenders to raise the Bimini to 6'9".
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Bimini support pole slide clip.
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bimini mount locks?
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Do you carry a double pole clip
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Hello Dave,
I only carry the type of clip you see pictured here. I can get them for you without problem. How …
Do you have mounts for Bimini top to a windshield?
I want to mount a Bimini to a windshield. Looking for the mounts.
Hi Matt,
there are different type windshield bimini top mounts. Some are stainless …
Is there any practical way to enlarge my Bimini top?
Most of the zippers on my bimini had frozen-up, therefore, I couldn't attach the side curtains and the other sections of the camper top. (Yes, lack of …
Does the knurl screw fit a side deck plate?
I am trying to figure out the hardware on a new to me searay with canvas enclosure. It appears to have three side plates and one deck hinge as attachment …
We broke the front rail of our Bimini top, can we replace one rail?
Can you buy just one new rail.
Hi Cindy,
You can't just buy one piece of the frame for your bimini top unless it is from a local marine canvas shop. …
replace inside eye end
a inside eye {plastic} snapped off. How do you replace?
It's not easy since there is a special tool that crimps the eye end inside of the metal, not …
The angle mounts ... Are they mounted with the angle in or out?
The angle mounts ... Are they mounted with the angle in or out?
Normally with angle mounts the gunnels of the boat slant away from the center of the …
Do you have the sew-in pieces that slide into the pontoon rail. The canvas has the slide the rail has a slot that the slide goes into.
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Hi Linda,
You may be refer to keder welt. Can …
How to remove frozen bimini hinges and end caps
Bimini hardware is frozen any suggestions on how to loosen set screws and hinge screw?
I normally spray penetrating oil in and let it set for awhile. …
looking to help eliminate sagging bimini top -this is a very large top for a 31 Sea ray amberjck
looking to help eliminate sagging bimini top -this is a very large top for a 31 Sea ray amberjck
Hi Frank,
This is a tough question without seeing …
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trailering with bimini
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Loose jaw slide and eye ends that won't tighten
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Support pole hardware
I need piece on support pole where 3/4 pole slides into 7/8 pole and set screw tightens tension
Hi,
Check on this page
http://www.canvas-boat-cover-and-repair-adviso …
What is the actual size of your bimini top hardware stainless set screws? Is there a most common size?
I lost a set screw in a jaw slide of my bimini top, and have been confused by seeing various sizes of these things on various websites. Is there a basic …
My bimini top is missing one swivel snap, I have one but can't figure out how to put it on the strap. Thank you, Tom Briggs
Trying to put a swivel snap on a bimini top strap. I bought a boat and when I erected the top one of the four swivel snaps was missing. I happened to have …
Do you have 1" and 7/8" stainless steel poles?
Making an adjustable bimini support poles
Hi Ed,
I might be able to help you out. 7/8 stock is low right now.
What size pieces do you need?
1' Stainless …
I'm looking for the screws that go in the jaw slides. Do you have those? They are like a set screw but u need a flat head screwdriver to remove them.
Hi Jason,
The set screw you are looking for goes into a humpback stainless steel bimini fitting. Either an eye end or a jaw slide. The trouble is, they …
Do have this brackket
I lost a piece to my bimini top 1-1/4 square witha piece of 3 channel welded to it total height6-1/2 inches
this piece is for securing the top during …
Height issues
I ordered a new top for a Baja 272 at 36 inches tall. Thought it would mount on windshield edge, but it was too wide so ended up mounting on side below …
I need a replacement pole to replace a bent front pole do younhave those?
I bent the front pole on my bimini top and need to replace.
If your talking about the support pole, they are not on the website yet, but yes I can replace …
do you sell Velcro straps for bimini top poles. they are used to secure two Poles together and are riveted to the main down pole
replace the velcro straps that are revited to the main down pole for a bimini top. My searay 260DA has 6-8 velcro straps for three bimini tops on my boat. …
does anyone make an end that accepts the 'eye end'?
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Stainless steel eye straps
Need buy two replacement SS eye straps for Bimini straps to deck. Current ones are 1" on center to screw holes. Can't tell what size of yours are. …
Where do I find a swivel fastener to fit in by bimini cover to hold down the side?
I have a Princecraft Venture 190 Deck Boat. Only missing one.
Hi Gregg,
Sorry for the delay in answering, I think I have a glitch in notifications …
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