Create Bimini Side Walls?

When I was on the Colorado in April we had several seriously windy days, and on one particularly windy layover day I just wanted to get out of the sand and wind. I put my Kelty tarp over my bimini and attached it all over with straps, including straps diagonally inside to stabilize the bimini top because I was worried that the gusts would break the pivot attachment points. It held up to some super hard gusts, maybe 50-60mph. It was so nice to be out of the wind that I decided I really want to make side walls also (I sleep on my cat), so I've already put a lot of thought into it. I've decided to use panels with Velcro but I haven't sewn them yet. I don't ever plan on rowing with side panels up so I wouldn't have openings for oars. I want the panels long enough that I can get to anything on my boat without moving or adjusting anything so I'll have them extend to the cat tips.

For a shower I've gone to using a small well pump and a motorcycle battery. My first shower setup was just a little battery operated Zodi camping shower, which was fine, but I didn't like it because I was limited in how far away I could place the battery pack from the pump, the batteries weren't rechargeable, and the head pressure on the pump was not very good and limited how high up you could effectively place the tiny shower head especially as the batteries started to run out of juice.

For my new shower I found most of the parts on Amazon, here's the well pump: Amazon.com : Rule iL200P Marine 200 GPH Inline Submersible Pump (12-Volt) : Boating Bilge Pumps : Sports & Outdoors
I made all of my connections quick-connect like this:
Amazon.com: Allstar Performance ALL76232 Universal Two Wire Connector with 12" Loop: Automotive

I made a shower pole out of pvc pipe that I connect to an NRS knuckle on my frame, and fashioned a shower head holder out of some misc parts. You could throw a tarp over the bimini for privacy but I've found that for most river trips privacy just isn't something anyone cares about that much. I had designed an entire enclosure out of pvc pipe for my Colorado trip last year but 1) it was a pain to set up and 2) almost nobody used it, so I've abandoned that idea, especially now that I have the bimini top this year. You could always throw a tarp over the bimini for privacy, or use your towel to block part of the view. Once I make my side panels I could use that as well.

I mounted a 20 watt solar panel to one of my dryboxes, mounted the charge controller inside the box, and ran the wiring from the solar panel into the drybox where I store 2 sealed motorcycle batteries. I can run the river with a battery charging, and another charging up phones or camera batteries or whatever.

I'd be interested in what you come up with for your side panels. Your post reminds me that I need to get to work on mine!

I keep a tarp and plastic spring clamps in my rig for a 1001 uses. One is to clamp a tarp around the bimini. Works great for privacy and shade. Would probably break apart in serious wind and rain though.

So, if you want to get more complicated/reliable/tough look into the tops power boaters have built. they're out in all types of weather and their systems hold up to just about any weather you're likely to encounter (they're typically engineered to be used at speed ~20-30+ mph). Old versions used snaps to fasten the drop panels, new ones usually use zippers, but I have seen Velcro used as well. These are usually built to suit either at the factory or by marine upholstery type folks and can run several grand but you should at minimum come up with some ideas searching for Bimini, drop curtain, side curtain, etc, etc.

Just to pre-empt the safety coordinators out there; you'll of course not want to deploy such a setup prior to running Lava and in general be weary of entrapment hazards if you would so choose to deploy the rig or portions of it while underway.

edit - oops, ment to add a link:http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=34490, just a basic drop curtain setup on a windshield less boat (something similar to most rafts in basic form). Search on from there if interested.

elkhaven said:

So, if you want to get more complicated/reliable/tough look into the tops power boaters have built. they're out in all types of weather and their systems hold up to just about any weather you're likely to encounter (they're typically engineered to be used at speed ~20-30+ mph). Old versions used snaps to fasten the drop panels, new ones usually use zippers, but I have seen Velcro used as well. These are usually built to suit either at the factory or by marine upholstery type folks and can run several grand but you should at minimum come up with some ideas searching for Bimini, drop curtain, side curtain, etc, etc.

Click to expand...

They will sometimes be referred to as a "camper back". As I am not handy with a sewing machine, I had mine made by Paul's Canvas in Denver. He used YKK zippers to attach to the existing top. I wanted mine to be bug, wind, and rain proof so it included no-see-em bug mesh and zip-up rip-stop nylon rainflys for the windows. It didn't take a lot of materials but was very labor intensive. IIRC it set me back about $2500.

For my whitewater motor rig I do as Rich does.

Great ideas. I also enjoy sleeping on my raft or cat. It was the coolest place to sleep on our July Grand trip. I also like knowing where my boat is at when bad weather comes up. The bimini side wall idea just makes bad weather better and takes up very little room or weight if done right.
I've boated with Rivergirl37 and she has a great setup on her cat. I definitely have bimini envy. She even has night lights to hang inside the bimini that keep the party going.
Interested in what everyone comes up with on this subject. Post pictures.

thanks rivergirl, I'll definitely take that as a compliment, but you might be wary of comparing your thoughts with mine more often: You never know what black hole you'll find yourself in :twisted:...

I got into this site based on the DIY type discussions on frames, tarps, stoves etc. I thought, "I finally found a place I can participate". I really dislike the "go buy a "wingding widget"; problem solved type answer...

My own problem is I like to figure it all out, but then once I get it dialed for me I loose interest. I never perfect it. I always have that intention once I get it the way I want it to build one more "presentation quality" version, but never do. I Just like figuring it out I guess.

My first plan is to make a little tarp like extension for my bimini that goes down the back to the gear pile, My rowers position is right at the back edge of the bimini, so when its raining with a downriver wind I get all wet.... wait a minute that never happens, it always blows up river... anyways that's where I intend to use those PVC clips.

I'm likely next to find a way to suspend a tarp either inside or outside the bimini for sleeping arrangement, but I haven't gotten that into this idea yet. Yukon77 is working on something similar and I'm hoping for pictures from his stuff some day.