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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Aluminum Vs. SS Bimini Frame		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/01/2006 :  09:50:07  Show Profile  Visit Justin's Homepage
I'm looking at my options for a bimini top and I'm finding that stainless steel frames cost almost twice as much as their aluminum counterparts. What are your experiences with either type? Is strength the main benefit of the stainless steel frame? I got an Overton's catalog in the mail and the one I'm looking at is:
Sunbrella® 3-Bow Bimini Top, 6' Long, Width: 85" - 90", Height: 46" - 40" for $299.99 minus an additional 10% sale they are having. I'll shop around some more, but that was the best price I found so far.

My measurements I took for my standard rig are: 42" high, 86-88" wide for genoa track, and I'll get a 6' long model.
Justin
Previous Owner of Sapphire Breeze - 1982 Catalina 25 SK/SR
My sail blog site: https://reveriesailing.com/
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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  10:31:31  Show Profile
FWIW, I went with aluminum for the cost savings and am not unhappy. It's just my wife and myself so I won't be having kids hanging from it (although my daughter gave birth to twin boys yesterday, so in a few years I may wish I had gotten Stainless Steel.)

Another consideration is how long you'll keep the boat. We're always talking about our "next" boat and are impulsive enough that it might happen sooner than later so I didn't opt for the more expensive SS frame.

Steve
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3510 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  10:51:57  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage
I do not have a bimini top or dodger but my experience with ss and alum is that as long as the aluminum is anodized (shiny) then it will hold up equal (corrosion-wise) to the stainless steel. However, the stainless steel is much stronger than the aluminum and would be much less susceptible to bending. But stainless steel is also much harder to work with if you are cutting, bending, etc custom fitting parts together.
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PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  11:48:02  Show Profile
We currently have an aluminum frame for our dodger and it's okay, however if/when we replace (hopefully next fall) we'll opt for ss because of the strength. With the narrow side decks on our boats I find I use the dodger for support going forward & aft more often than not.
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  13:08:05  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by PamC</i>
<br />...With the narrow side decks on our boats I find I use the dodger for support going forward & aft more often than not.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Exactly why I got stainless for my bimini. Either way, I recommend the stainless fittings to attach it to the deck--not plastic.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  14:21:23  Show Profile
My 4 or 5 year old Taylor Made, aluminum and vinyl, 6' x 7' bimini cost me $139.00. Its been through 50mph winds twice and the aluminum still looks like new.
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  14:59:28  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
Justin, only girly men fear the sun.
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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2006 :  22:03:51  Show Profile  Visit Justin's Homepage
HAHA Frank. No, I'm trying to be careful. Skin cancer runs in my family and my father has had melanoma. I'm currently making sure I use plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat. Not to mention these 90+ degree sunny days with very high humidity would be slightly better with some shade.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.