Choosing Bimini top color

[Donald]

I have been trying to figure out what if anything to do about a boat Bimini top that seems to have shrunk over the years and now no longer fits. I was thinking I could have them sew or make a 2" to 3" extension. There is a boat canvas place about 2 miles from my house and the lady there seems honest about the best path forward. She says new top.

So the boat is mostly white and I now need to choose a color for a new Bimini top.

I read that darker colors provide more UV protection. But make things a little hotter under the Bimini top.

I know men should not pick out colors.

 

[dnewton3]

Light colors reflect the heat better. But they get dirty quickly.
Dark colors are pretty much the opposite.
There's always a tradeoff ...

 

[spasm3]

I have been trying to figure out what if anything to do about a boat Bimini top that seems to have shrunk over the years and now no longer fits. I was thinking I could have them sew or make a 2" to 3" extension. There is a boat canvas place about 2 miles from my house and the lady there seems honest about the best path forward. She says new top.

So the boat is mostly white and I now need to choose a color for a new Bimini top.

I read that darker colors provide more UV protection. But make things a little hotter under the Bimini top.

I know men should not pick out colors.

Match it to the color of bathing suit , that your wife wears most often.

 

[Ranger83]

We switched from a blue dodger to tan. It lasted twice as long.

 

[Donald]

We switched from a blue dodger to tan. It lasted twice as long.

View attachment 269510

View attachment 269511

I have read that the darker colors have more UV protection and should last longer.

Another one suggested that the trend in colors over many years (decades) was green to blue to tan to light gray.

And another on suggested some colors fade more quickly.

And yet another suggested it's the thread they use to sew the Bimini top you really need to get top notch. Many of the regular threads fall apart before the material does.

 

[Ranger83]

Just offering our real world experience with Sunbrella. I’ll never buy a dark color again.

 

[DriveHard]

Unless there is ZERO air movement, there is no difference in sitting under a white cover or a black cover. I have had white, blue, red, and black. My favorite cover was the one that covered more of the boat, and was tall enough to walk under.

 

[Donald]

I see some material with a waterproof coating on one side. Waterproof forever. But not breathable.

 

[alarmguy]

I would think with a quality Sunbrella brand fabric there is nothing to worry about in any color.

 

[Donald]

I would think with a quality Sunbrella brand fabric there is nothing to worry about in any color.

How about shrink?

How important is breathability?

 

[alarmguy]

How about shrink?

How important is breathability?

I cant scientifically answer those questions.
All I know during my lifetime and that of family members. Sunbrella was standard on Sea Rays and never had any issues with them. Durable material, more expensive? Yes.
I do think breathability is very important to allow moisture to escape. After all the interior of boats get wet during a day of boating and/ot stormy weather.

 

[Donald]

So I have spent several days reading about Bimini tops and the clear plastic panels. I am beginning to think the fabric is not the problem but the clear plastic panels are the problem. See the picture. Large section of clear plastic between the Bimini top and windshield.

 

[1978elcamino]

My Bimini is black and I love it.
Although I have had other colors I feel more shaded under black than any other color.
I have had white, teal, blue and now black which has proven to be my favorite.
Zero difference in heat to my head too.

 

[Fordiesel69]

White, or light tan, or light grey. Done

Burgundy, dark green, Turquouse, black, charcoal will add 20+ degrees of heat radiation to the already 85+ degree day. Terrible if your passengers are'nt in the mood to go in the water.

 

[Rygrego]

I can really see where the lubrication factor is in this thread.

 

[Donald]

I can really see where the lubrication factor is in this thread.

Where else would you suggest to ask a boating question?

BTW - one does or should lubricate the snaps and zipper on a Bimini top.

 

[Rygrego]

Where else would you suggest to ask a boating question?

BTW - one does or should lubricate the snaps and zipper on a Bimini top.

On a boating site.

 

[Donald]

On a boating site.

People ask all kinds on computer questions on this site. And few are lubricating their computer!

 

[ka9mnx]

I have read that the darker colors have more UV protection and should last longer.

No! When I was deployed to the desert, all the locals wore white. When I returned I developed melanoma. I researched which color fabric rejected UV rays and it was white.

 

[Kira]

Interesting in that there appears to be no 'common knowledge' answer to the question.
I say that because it should be automatic, not merely easy, to observe fabric/color/construction differences in performance or lifespan.

Which ones last longest?
UV blockage is plainly measurable.