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Powered Bimini

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timjet

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In order for us to get our pontoon into our boat house I must retract the bimini otherwise it hits the top structure supporting the boat house roof. It's getting to be a pain to put up and take down the bimini every time we use the boat. So I just heard about Sureshade the powered bimini that looks like it can be retro fitted to most any pontoon boat. Does anyone have opinions on this brand or any others? Thanks
 
I believe Sureshade is the power Bimini that is on my 2024 Bennington. Seems to work fine. Mine is the curved arch and didn’t come with support brackets. As a result, it seems to wobble a little and I wonder if it is putting stress on the mounting brackets. Some people love the powered option. I am neutral. I could raise an lower my old non-powered arch very quickly. Also, the battery switch must be on to raise and lower my Bimini.
 
Thanks for that. Did you install the bimini or was it a factory install.
 
I replied to your other inquiry in another thread before seeing this one here. Oops! Not sure on how the retrofit option works. I know our side panels have additional vertical supports at the attachment points of the motor/henge assembly near the helm and the rear support arms near the rear. Zoom in on pics below. Even with those, there is a flex or wobble when up and under speed.

To Pbakk - I have had this option on our 2017 since new. The slight wobble or movement at mount point can be disconcerting. So far after 9 years or usage, it’s still fine. Thought I would toss that out to allay some concerns, as I had those same ones in the early years.

For us, we love that it’s push button operable.

IMG_0332.jpegIMG_0054.jpegIMG_0057.jpeg
 
timjet said:
Thanks for that. Did you install the bimini or was it a factory install.
Click to expand...
It was factory installed. A friend installed a power bemini and said it was easy other than routing the wire to the battery.
The curved Bimini frame might be a Bennington only option as I didn’t see it on the Sureshade website.
 
Base on my wife’s requirement I have powered bimini tops on both our boats. They are slow and they sound laborious as the screw drive grinds away. Would not have them if it was just me. On the boat up north I ordered just the actuator service parts and scrounged everything else. Sureshade is the only manufacturer. It was hard to bring everything together. On my boat in the cities my wife talked me into ordering it with the boat. It was a lot more expensive. On that boat the uprights are curved back. It’s a good look when the top is stowed and propped up. When the top is fully up the uprights just look bent and weak. The bend in the uprights also impede access thru the port door.
 
Like DVW noted, Sureshade is the only powered bimini manufacturer, and you can order your own if you want. There are lots of great resources, including videos and a helpful PDF for install, on the Sureshade website. The only real trick is getting power over to the port side - if you don't have a wavetamer (underskinning) your install should be pretty simple.

I have factory Sureshade on my 2021 boat, and I just replaced the actuators under warranty myself (dealer gave me the parts). Super easy to do.

Cheers, and happy boating!
 
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