Hi All,
My wife and I just purchased a 2007 R-21EC for use in Hawaii's coastal waters. While sun protection was a primary concern, so was unrestricted movement about the boat, as such I decided against attaching the Bimini to the pilot house. I wanted to be able to move fore and aft without having to duck under the top. I had an idea what I wanted and had been talking with a local custom upholstery shop, but it was an online photo of a similar top on a R-21EC at an Australian boat show that convinced me I was on the right track. I took the photo over to the shop and we finalized the design. As an aside, the little Ranger Tug has been selling very well in Australia. There has been at least 12 sold in the past few months at about $94K a copy.
Our top is freestanding (I did not want any straps) and made of 1" stainless steel tubing. Two pins at the back attachment point on either side can be pulled and top will fold over to the first bow to open up the back if we ever hook the big one. There is ample headroom for most people (6' 4"+) and the color, Sunbrella's Jockey Red, satisfied my wife's wish for something fun. Our top would not provide the same utility in the PNW or New England, but for the Southeast Coast, the Gulf, or anyplace with lots of sun, I think it provides a viable option. I just posted photos today for anyone interested in doing something similar.
Looking forward to putting Kolo Iki in the water soon.
Aloha,
Rick and Karen
