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Bimini top poles bent

rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
in General Boating Discussions
I had an unfortunate backing up contact with some tree branches with the rear Bimini.  One side has a good bow to it, the other side is bent to collapse. The side with the bow I would expect if I can get enough leverage on it I can get it straight. The other side the same- but I may have to cut that out- I guess there is a coupler type part similar to the other hardware on the poles if I need to do that. I'm guessing a couple of boat bucks to replace and with poorer quality tubing. We have a 270 but it gets all the big boy hardware. I replaced the camper pck some time back so I don't want to start over! Do I heat the metal?  I have a hand held torch but I'm concerned that I over heat it...any thoughts? All pieces should be straight!
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Comments

  • mattiemattie Member Posts: 1,317 ✭✭✭✭
    @rasbury
    Can you go back to the outfit that did your camper back canvas & see who they use for frames?
    I would just disassemble the frames & hardware - looks like it's just the one pole on each that took the pounding.
    Measure & might be able to order a length stainless X2 & rebuild yourself. 
    246BR, 276BR, H310BR current
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  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd find a piece of solid metal that fits snuggly inside since she's located close to the end. 

    Lock the pole in a vice using some wood as not to damage the finish. 

    Apply heat and slowly work in it back into place.  Going to need to get it cherry red.  With tight enough inner sleeve you could likely get it near perfect with some work with a hammer and patience.  Going to be a lot of trial an error.   

    Or as Mattie suggested, have an upholstery shop bend you a new pole in a about 10 minutes. 


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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 17
    Mr @PickleRick , you always break it down so gently....I don't have tables/vices on said table to "lock it down" I got one side pretty good but, not looking good...I'm working on finding a replacement. I have a long enough list for things I can do...
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 17
    @mattie after digging further, the cross poles are also bent, or more bowed also..it's a hot mess. Those can probably be bent back ok...
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  • Lake_BumLake_Bum Member Posts: 1,029 ✭✭✭✭
    It won't ever be as strong as original when you heat it up and bend it.  Find an upholstery shop to replicate the poles.  It won't hurt NEAR as bad as new upholstery for the bimini. 
    2000 Captiva 232 
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,295 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shops around here are about $10/ft materials and bending - so like $200 to replace the bent section. 
    2008 350 EC on Georgian Bay
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  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have probably 20-30 ft of bow rail you're welcome to have that I took off boats I've parted out over the years.  You're welcome to it if you wanna drop by to pick it up!
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 20
    I'm waiting for the new filters so have been working on them...I would have had to replace the whole thing...so far...and you all know to quickly what the repair costs are!😀
    Post edited by rasbury on
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