I am trying to decide between the King Bimini and the factory Bimini for my new R27. I like the looks of the King installation , fewer poles and cleaner looks. It does not fold out of the way if I want sun on the aft deck. It also seems to be in the way if I want to put the kayak up top. I have not seen one in person, just pictures. Anyone have personal experience or opinions?
King Bimini versus Factory
- Thread starter ohpp
- Start date
Are you referring to the King Marine's web site here... http://kingmarinecanvas.com/rangerboats.html ? This unfortunately does not allow photos to be expanded/enlarged for greater detail.
I have the King Marine Charcoal gray flat Bimini top being installed on my new R-21EC this week sometime at the factory, along with a full enclosure. This style has no side vertical poles between the pilot house and the transom and is likely a fixed top. I did not spend a lot of time deciding on this because what the Factory described to me about this Bimini and enclosure met my requirements, I like the idea of not having any poles between the pilot house and the transom as it provides a cleaner look and will allow easier access for fishing and retrieving crab pots from the cockpit's side. I do not like the 'humped' look of some of the other styles. On my previous R-25 (Classic) I had the King Marine Bimini and it was 'humped' and could be folded out of the way. I didn't like the 'humped' look at all and I never ever rolled the top up during the 6 years I had the R-25. Plenty of sun rays can stream into the cockpit from all three sides with this style or presumably from a fixed flat top like I'm having installed on my R-21EC. Be aware, 1st mate and I are not sun lovers so having a means to shelter from scorching sun is very welcomed... especially on the R-21EC as it has limited cabin space compared to the other Ranger models.
I must admit, I ordered the King Marine flat top Bimini with full enclosure sight unseen based on the factory recommendation. We have the Ranger gray for the R-21EC hull and hope the Charcoal gray Bimini complements this.
I understand the enclosure can come in two forms. That is, the thickness of the clear side panels. I'm unsure what the factory ordered for our R-21EC.
Later this week or at least when the R-21EC is delivered next week I will have the opportunity for taking some photos of the canvas and can post some of these along with my overall review of the product.
When you say "I am trying to decide between the King Bimini and the factory Bimini for my new R27." it's my understanding that the factory orders its Bimini products from King Marine, so there really is no difference between the two. I may be wrong about this but have in the past talked directly with King Marine and they informed me they do fill the Ranger Tug factory orders for canvas. Of course, pricing may be different between Factory and direct King Marine ordering.
Good luck deciding. 🙂
I have the King Marine Charcoal gray flat Bimini top being installed on my new R-21EC this week sometime at the factory, along with a full enclosure. This style has no side vertical poles between the pilot house and the transom and is likely a fixed top. I did not spend a lot of time deciding on this because what the Factory described to me about this Bimini and enclosure met my requirements, I like the idea of not having any poles between the pilot house and the transom as it provides a cleaner look and will allow easier access for fishing and retrieving crab pots from the cockpit's side. I do not like the 'humped' look of some of the other styles. On my previous R-25 (Classic) I had the King Marine Bimini and it was 'humped' and could be folded out of the way. I didn't like the 'humped' look at all and I never ever rolled the top up during the 6 years I had the R-25. Plenty of sun rays can stream into the cockpit from all three sides with this style or presumably from a fixed flat top like I'm having installed on my R-21EC. Be aware, 1st mate and I are not sun lovers so having a means to shelter from scorching sun is very welcomed... especially on the R-21EC as it has limited cabin space compared to the other Ranger models.
I must admit, I ordered the King Marine flat top Bimini with full enclosure sight unseen based on the factory recommendation. We have the Ranger gray for the R-21EC hull and hope the Charcoal gray Bimini complements this.
I understand the enclosure can come in two forms. That is, the thickness of the clear side panels. I'm unsure what the factory ordered for our R-21EC.
Later this week or at least when the R-21EC is delivered next week I will have the opportunity for taking some photos of the canvas and can post some of these along with my overall review of the product.
When you say "I am trying to decide between the King Bimini and the factory Bimini for my new R27." it's my understanding that the factory orders its Bimini products from King Marine, so there really is no difference between the two. I may be wrong about this but have in the past talked directly with King Marine and they informed me they do fill the Ranger Tug factory orders for canvas. Of course, pricing may be different between Factory and direct King Marine ordering.
Good luck deciding. 🙂
We saw you R21 at the factory last week. Congratulations on a beautiful boat. I read your reasoning as to why you decided to go smaller. I think that it is a decision we all face at some point. I did not realize that the standard bimini was made for Ranger by King. I want the clean look of the permanent install, tighter with fewer poles. I am worried about cabin top access .
The easy way onto the Pilot House top is via first standing on the roof of the V-berth and then heave yourself up onto the roof. This is the same method I used on my R-25 (Classic).
You can ease yourself up by placing your 'good' knee on the aft section of the eyebrow to help levering yourself up. The eyebrow is very sturdy at this point.
There is no removable ladder attachment on side of cabin like for the R-25s and R-27s as far as I know. 😱
Yes, I'm hoping for my Charcoal gray King Marine canvas to have the 'clean' look, plus I have no issue with it being a permanent addition.
You can ease yourself up by placing your 'good' knee on the aft section of the eyebrow to help levering yourself up. The eyebrow is very sturdy at this point.
There is no removable ladder attachment on side of cabin like for the R-25s and R-27s as far as I know. 😱
Yes, I'm hoping for my Charcoal gray King Marine canvas to have the 'clean' look, plus I have no issue with it being a permanent addition.
Kipsahoy
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Something we came up with to get a little shade on the hot sunny days, made a couple poles that fit in rod holders, and a friend made the sunbrella portion
Something we came up with to get a little shade on the hot sunny days, made a couple poles that fit in rod holders, and a friend made the sunbrella portion