Hot Shot Bimini Boat Tops

[Cool Beans]

How well do these last in the sun? I have an aluminum frame that came with the boat, but the top is on it's last leg. . .will these last more than a season? I don't want to fork out the dough for a heavier duty bimini frame (maybe in a few years), just want some lasting cockpit shade

 

[Hermit Scott]

Hot shot tops are made from Acrylic/Polyester. Polyester doesn't last as long as acrylic in the sun. Polyester is cheaper than acrylic though.
If I had a choice between pure acrylic, like Sunbrella fabric, or a mix of acrylic and polyester, I would definitely choose the 100% acrylic.
I just bought some polyester outdoor fabric, but I am going to use it to redo the Vberth cushions. It just doesn't last long enough in the sun for me to use it on my boat.
On the other hand if you put it away when not in use and you have a cover for it, it may last a long time. I leave my bimini up all the time though on my boat, even when I am away.
Check out my avatar, that is the first old bimini that came with my old boat. It lasted until the wind picked up. I just made a new one last week out of sunbrella.

 

[Merlin Clark]

If it comes with a boot and you use it the top will last quite a while.
I just had new canvas made for a SS frame that I got on Craigslist. The canvas is Sunbrella and cost me $325. They did a pretty good job but I wish I had done it myself like Hermit.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I got 10 yards at $8 a yard 60 inches wide, $20 shipping.(ebay) 4 zippers @ $6 each. (oh yeah and an $800 sewing machine) It took all of that to make the top. I accidentally bought blue and white striped instead of solid blue, but I think it looks alright.
The material you use is just as important as the workmanship. I used nylon strap and clips instead of buttons on a main sail cover I did a few years ago. The nylon is faded and hard. I am going to cut them off and replace it with something else, probably velcro.