Buying a Pontoon Boat Bimini
One thing I’ve always found frustrating is the fact that nobody stands behind their products. Sure a lot of places want to sell you something, but if you do manage to tear it up somehow they sure aren’t very helpful in sourcing or providing the necessary parts needed to fix it. Suppose you manage to rip your pontoon boats bimini top up on a overhanging limb, well almost exclusively you’ll be screwed and forced to purchase an entire kit frame and all when all you really needed was replacement canvas. It’s just the simple fact that sometimes it’s in your best interest to purchase direct from a manufacture that can or will provide parts and service than a middleman who’s just skimming your wallet as you’re passing through.
There are a lot of different bimini tops out there. Or are there? If you really look you will find a lot of DISTRIBUTORS out there that are selling bimini tops made by companies like Carver, Attwood, and Taylor Made. Sure you can find some that actually manufacture their own but how well do those companies actually stand behind their work? You can tell the confidence a company has in its products by the warranty it is willing to put on it. Many businesses simply warrant the material. For example Sunbrella has a 10 year warranty against fading and deteriorating. Glen Raven Mills who makes sunbrella warrants the material, not the bimini top manufacturer. But what about the craftsmanship of the bimini top itself? You may find some distributors and manufacturers that will give you a 2-3 year warranty on their craftsmanship. I find this insulting and you should too. Basically they are letting you know that they are not confident in either their ability to sew a quality item or they are not willing to use the correct raw materials to do so.
The main factor that determines cost of a bimini top is the fabric. The fabric manufacturer such as Glen Raven Mills’ Sunbrella already warrants the material. All that is left to a bimini top are zippers, thread, and binding also called edging. These are very inexpensive items. You shouldn’t have to buy a brand new bimini because a zipper breaks. You also shouldn’t have to pay a custom canvas shop a lot of money to replace a zipper. You should actually be able to send it to the company that manufactured it and have them fix it for you. These items are inexpensive for the manufacturer and these are also items that you can’t walk into a big box store and purchase. You are at the mercy of the manufacturer or a custom canvas shop to have your bimini top repaired. There is at least one company out there doing what is right they guarantee their work for the entire time you own their bimini top and frame.
When you are shopping for a new bimini top and frame make sure the company you buy your top from only uses marine grade thread that is treated to hold up against UV rays. They should use YKK or Lenzip zippers with metal sliders not plastic sliders. They should use color matched binding and send the entire bimini top through a machine called a serger to ensure the material will not unravel around the edges. The front and rear “pockets” (pieces of material that go around the framework) should be sewn down with three lock stitches instead of just one. This ensures the bimini top won’t separate when tension is applied to the frame to hold the fabric taut. A zipper is usually utilized in the pocket so it can zip around the framework.
Heavy duty stainless strap hooks and heavyweight webbing straps should also be utilized. All the parts that hold the framework together should be treated to resist UV rays. There should be a warranty on those parts as well. Should you break a strap or the pieces that hold the frame together, you should be able to have those parts replaced for free. Why? Because they are inexpensive items and your piece of mind that you have a company standing behind you is worth it. You are also more prone to tell your family and friends about a company that will do this for you. It just makes sense for everyone.
It will pay off for you to do your homework on the company you buy your bimini top from. Make sure you ask these questions and demand answers. Make sure you are aware of what kind of service after the sale you will be getting. If the company you want to buy the bimini top from does not offer warranties for more than a few years put them on the spot and ask why. Demand better. Demand service. Demand quality.
Northstar Products ’ mission is to provide boat owners with high quality parts and products for their boats. We strive to do this at the lowest possible prices while still retaining a high level of customer service. We will exceed your expectations with our quality, timeliness, and professionalism. We are committed to making sure you are pleased with your purchase now and in the future. Northstar has been designing and building canvas for boats for over 35 years. Let our expertise and experience help guide you in making a good decision. If we can’t help you we will point you in the direction of someone who can. Our goal as a fellow boater is to give you the best products at the best prices with the best warranties.
Why Choose a Northstar Bimini?
MADE IN THE USA
35 years experience in the marine industry working directly with boat manufacturer’s
Unmatched quality and craftsmanship. We sew our bimini’s together with three sewing lines.
One lock stitch is ½ in from edge of material.
The second is put in with our surging machine to prevent any possibility of the material fraying or falling apart. The third lock stitch is when our color matched binding (edging) is sewn in place.
These three stitches ensure a strong and durable bimini top for years to come.
An Unbeatable warranty
Should a zipper break, thread break, binding (edging) come off, or snap come loose we will fix it for you at NO CHARGE. You just send the bimini back to us at your cost, and we’ll fix it and get it back to you. We’ll even pay for return shipping it back to you. This also covers your frame. Should any of the parts that hold your frame together break at any point, I will send you replacements at no cost. Should any deck mounts break at any point I’ll send replacements for those as well. All at no cost to you. We’ll stand behind both our work and the products we utilize to build them. The fabrics also have a manufacturer warranty as well, Aqualon / 3 year warranty, and Sunbrella with a 6 year warranties. The fabric warranties are issued by respective fabric manufacturers and are subject to their terms.
Stronger frames, our aluminum square tube frames are made with a .062 wall which is the thickest you can get and still be able to bend the aluminum correctly. Many frames are made with a .047 wall. Thicker wall = stronger frames.
Should you ever need a replacement canvas you can order replacement bimini tops if you already own one of our frames. And these tops will fit exactly like your original one.
Northstar Products Inc.
There are a lot of different bimini tops out there. Or are there? If you really look you will find a lot of DISTRIBUTORS out there that are selling bimini tops made by companies like Carver, Attwood, and Taylor Made. Sure you can find some that actually manufacture their own but how well do those companies actually stand behind their work? You can tell the confidence a company has in its products by the warranty it is willing to put on it. Many businesses simply warrant the material. For example Sunbrella has a 10 year warranty against fading and deteriorating. Glen Raven Mills who makes sunbrella warrants the material, not the bimini top manufacturer. But what about the craftsmanship of the bimini top itself? You may find some distributors and manufacturers that will give you a 2-3 year warranty on their craftsmanship. I find this insulting and you should too. Basically they are letting you know that they are not confident in either their ability to sew a quality item or they are not willing to use the correct raw materials to do so.
The main factor that determines cost of a bimini top is the fabric. The fabric manufacturer such as Glen Raven Mills’ Sunbrella already warrants the material. All that is left to a bimini top are zippers, thread, and binding also called edging. These are very inexpensive items. You shouldn’t have to buy a brand new bimini because a zipper breaks. You also shouldn’t have to pay a custom canvas shop a lot of money to replace a zipper. You should actually be able to send it to the company that manufactured it and have them fix it for you. These items are inexpensive for the manufacturer and these are also items that you can’t walk into a big box store and purchase. You are at the mercy of the manufacturer or a custom canvas shop to have your bimini top repaired. There is at least one company out there doing what is right they guarantee their work for the entire time you own their bimini top and frame.
When you are shopping for a new bimini top and frame make sure the company you buy your top from only uses marine grade thread that is treated to hold up against UV rays. They should use YKK or Lenzip zippers with metal sliders not plastic sliders. They should use color matched binding and send the entire bimini top through a machine called a serger to ensure the material will not unravel around the edges. The front and rear “pockets” (pieces of material that go around the framework) should be sewn down with three lock stitches instead of just one. This ensures the bimini top won’t separate when tension is applied to the frame to hold the fabric taut. A zipper is usually utilized in the pocket so it can zip around the framework.
Heavy duty stainless strap hooks and heavyweight webbing straps should also be utilized. All the parts that hold the framework together should be treated to resist UV rays. There should be a warranty on those parts as well. Should you break a strap or the pieces that hold the frame together, you should be able to have those parts replaced for free. Why? Because they are inexpensive items and your piece of mind that you have a company standing behind you is worth it. You are also more prone to tell your family and friends about a company that will do this for you. It just makes sense for everyone.
It will pay off for you to do your homework on the company you buy your bimini top from. Make sure you ask these questions and demand answers. Make sure you are aware of what kind of service after the sale you will be getting. If the company you want to buy the bimini top from does not offer warranties for more than a few years put them on the spot and ask why. Demand better. Demand service. Demand quality.
Northstar Products ’ mission is to provide boat owners with high quality parts and products for their boats. We strive to do this at the lowest possible prices while still retaining a high level of customer service. We will exceed your expectations with our quality, timeliness, and professionalism. We are committed to making sure you are pleased with your purchase now and in the future. Northstar has been designing and building canvas for boats for over 35 years. Let our expertise and experience help guide you in making a good decision. If we can’t help you we will point you in the direction of someone who can. Our goal as a fellow boater is to give you the best products at the best prices with the best warranties.
Why Choose a Northstar Bimini?
MADE IN THE USA
35 years experience in the marine industry working directly with boat manufacturer’s
Unmatched quality and craftsmanship. We sew our bimini’s together with three sewing lines.
One lock stitch is ½ in from edge of material.
The second is put in with our surging machine to prevent any possibility of the material fraying or falling apart. The third lock stitch is when our color matched binding (edging) is sewn in place.
These three stitches ensure a strong and durable bimini top for years to come.
An Unbeatable warranty
Should a zipper break, thread break, binding (edging) come off, or snap come loose we will fix it for you at NO CHARGE. You just send the bimini back to us at your cost, and we’ll fix it and get it back to you. We’ll even pay for return shipping it back to you. This also covers your frame. Should any of the parts that hold your frame together break at any point, I will send you replacements at no cost. Should any deck mounts break at any point I’ll send replacements for those as well. All at no cost to you. We’ll stand behind both our work and the products we utilize to build them. The fabrics also have a manufacturer warranty as well, Aqualon / 3 year warranty, and Sunbrella with a 6 year warranties. The fabric warranties are issued by respective fabric manufacturers and are subject to their terms.
Stronger frames, our aluminum square tube frames are made with a .062 wall which is the thickest you can get and still be able to bend the aluminum correctly. Many frames are made with a .047 wall. Thicker wall = stronger frames.
Should you ever need a replacement canvas you can order replacement bimini tops if you already own one of our frames. And these tops will fit exactly like your original one.
Northstar Products Inc.
Posted by blog.houseboatodyssey1.com at 1/25/2011 3:08 PM 
Categories: Boating, Article, boating accessories, Pontoon Boat (s), Accessories, Supplies, Buying Tips, Pontoon Boating Accessories
Tags: Accessories Boat boating accessories canopies Pontoon pontoon boats Bimini top
Categories: Boating, Article, boating accessories, Pontoon Boat (s), Accessories, Supplies, Buying Tips, Pontoon Boating Accessories
Tags: Accessories Boat boating accessories canopies Pontoon pontoon boats Bimini top
Hey guys! Beautiful work! I would really like to see full pic and I agree with the author. The Bimini Butler is ideal for sail boats. Ever wanted a higher top, but worried about hitting the bimini with a swinging boom? Now you can have the best of both world, a lower top while sailing and a higher top while drifting or at anchor. With the Bimini Butler, you can easily lower your top while sailing to avoid the boom. Then when you stop, simply raise the boom and your Bimini Butler for a higher shade canopy and easier mobility around the boat.
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