Vortex New Royal Blue Pontoon/Deck Boat 4 Bow Bimini Top 8' Long, 91-96" Wide, 54" High, Complete Kit, Frame, Canopy, and Hardware by Vortex

Update: I replaced this with another Vortex bimini on April 23, 2016. Whereas the old bimini frame was assembled using nuts and bolts, these parts clicked together., similar in concept to attachments added to pool poles, but stronger (metal.) Another difference was that there is now a space on the back bow to attach a mooring light. The quality seemed about the same as a Brightest bimini that I also purchased (except no space for a mooring light on the Brightest, and the back supports on the Vortex are longer.) I would still rate it a four, although the directions were not the greatest and the snap-on fasteners were not a real advantage for someone with arthritic hands. I would recommend downloading and copying a picture of the product to supplement the written directions. Also I would suggest checking to make sure that when the bimini is turned upright that the canvas is right side up and not upside down before trying to put it on your boat. I was able to use the same plastic Vortex fasteners to hold the poles in place that had come with my original bimini. They are plastic, but they do last. Also, follow their directions regarding storage when not in use; I did not, and one of the reasons I replaced the old bimini was that it had become sun faded and unattractive. Guy, 4/23/2016Purchased this in 2011, four years ago. For the most part, I was able to use existing connectors, but had to drill holes for the rear plastic connectors which are as good now as they were when I put them in. The boat is permanently docked summer and winter, so it gets a lot of weathering, but in four years there is only one small hole in the top and some fading along the ribs and edges, as a result of my not always keeping it covered when not in use. Because it sits under poplar trees, any coverings tend to be ruined in a few years, but the least expensive way to provide a durable covering I found was to put a piece of Tyvek ground cloth over it, tieing with giant twist ties (both available from Amazon.) The aluminum frame is less sturdy than the original, but it is showing no signs of wear and has held up well through multiple storms. The only reason I've not given it five stars is that there is no hole for a light on top, but I rarely go out after dark, and when I do, I use a battery operated anchor light which I screw on and take off at journey's end. I expect to get a couple more seasons out of it, unlless I replace it for purely aesthetic reasons.

This is a cheap item, you pretty much get what you pay for. I'll break it down for you:1. Structure: I don't think this is much worse then the Taylor made or other more known brands. The tubes are about the same, and you have to put them together, which I've never seen before. This is why it arrives in a suspiciously small box. When once you put it together, it seems sturdy. The connectors are a hard plastic, harder than the plastic you commonly see at the ends or the tubes of other brands. It remains to be seen whether they will hold up. The middle bows are held in place by FIXED connectors rather than the usual arrangement with set screws. They are fixed by rivet-like fasteners. This is a definate area of suspicion for possible failure, but who knows. When erected and mounted, this bimini feels no more or less sturdy than any of the others and it would take a trained eye to distinguish it from the others.2. Fabric: Here is where things get dicey. This is without question thinner than the sunbrella on the other models. There is no double-stitching, nothing fancy. But it isn't as pathetic as it could be, I guess. I bought two, and one has been installed for two weeks and isn't flapping in the wind yet. I keep it up all the time, the boat (24 ft deck boat) is in the water all the time. I just installed the second though and I can't believe how far off the colors are. The original color was supposed to be blue (I guess like the Pacific Blue of sunbrella) but was really more like a royal blue with a little purple. DON'T try to match this with Pacific blue, it'll give you away instantly. In fact the first one now looks even more purple. The newer one is considerably more blue. This either means a different dye lot (har!) or they are FADING fast. I suspect that in another month, they will both be white and then all my problems will go away anyway. The boat is not much to look at anyway so I can live with this.IN SHORT: For the ridiculously low price, these are probably worth it. It's shade, that's what I wanted. But if they were priced anywhere near the competition, say 5 or 6 hundred dollars, I wouldn't have been able to write this review since I'd still be rolling on the floor laughing. If you want a basic protection from the sun and probably won't need it for more than occasional use, this product should serve you just fine.

The last Bimini Top we bought cost us around $500.00. This one was less than HALF that much.The last one was rather a Bitch to put together...actually. This one was together in minutes. MINUTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What else can/could I say???It serves the same damn purpose as the other one. I think the other one was the "Famous" SunBrella Brand Material. It didn't last near it rated warranty. I just can't find my "Paperwork on it". (A BUMMER, huh???)Anyway....You won't be disappointed in this product. It went together easy. It will fit your existing hardware....so you'll have new stuff for the Future....which is always good...RIGHT???

The product came in timely and without damage, I have an old pontoon boat and it make it look much nicer,The Direction are lacking, they would increase their clients satisfaction by providing a more detailed set of instruction or video, I have a mechanical background and it was easy for me to figure it out, i'm sure others may struggle!Overall Great Deal for me!

THIS ITEM ARRIVED FAST AND WAS EASY INSTALLATION. THE DESIGN ALLOWS THE TOP TO FLAP IN THE WIND BECAUSE THE MIDDLE SIDE OF TOP IS LOOSE WHEN DRAWING THE TOP TIGHT. IT IS A GOOD VALUE. NOTE THAT THE LOVELY BLUE COLOR FADED BADLY IN 3 MONTHS TIME IN THE FLORIDA SUN. DO NOT LEAVE THIS TOP IN THE SUN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. BOOT IT WITH THE COVER. THE COVER EVEN FADED AFTER DOING THIS. THIS TOP HAD GOOD SUPPORTS AND HELD UP WHEN BOATING 25 MILES AN HOUR IN ROUGH WATER. IT IS A GOOD VALUE IF YOU CAN DEAL WITH THE FADING OF THE MATERIAL.DEAN

So far... an excellent product. I want to keep replacement parts on hand for an emergency. Hope this company sells them separately.

Directions were pathetic

bon produit pour le prix

Great Product at a good Price

Excellent product.

Pour un ponton