Brian, While I do not have a 17, I am in the midst of a bimini installation on my 15.
My surprise finding so far: tubing cutters made for plumbing purposes have a very short live span when used to cut aluminum. After I wore out the second one, I did a little research. SailRite sells a Hi-Duty tubing cutter for $50. Aircraft Spruce, which Clarence has mentioned, has it for $30. The East coast branch is in Peachtree City, GA, so you may have next day delivery at standard shipping rates. So far, my biggest near disastrous mistake was to cut the same tube twice. I begin with a frame that is too wide and too tall, and modified it to fit my boat. I just lost track of what I had done. Some method of labeling the tubes would have avoided that mistake. My installation started off as a two-bow bimini that is centered slightly aft of the cabin. This will provide the maximum shade for my little bald head while I am seated in my usual position. It will also allow the hatch boards to be removed for ventilation while provide rain protection for the cabin. The bimini frame can stow forward and just clears the shrouds. If is stows aft it is in the way. To clear the main I had to switch to end boom sheeting. My initial design had a second two-bow bimini to cover the rear of the cockpit when anchored. This bimini frame was essentially installed backwards. To allow deployment, the boom had to be swung over to one side and tied off to a shroud. The main bows of the two biminis were joined by short tubes. They met near the center of the cockpit and were self supporting. While this arrangement was surprisingly sturdy and provided clearance for the boom, at times the main sheet fouled in the rear frame. I will replace the rear bimini with two fixed support tubes. I still want the rear portion of the cockpit to be covered at anchor. For this I will experiment with a single bow attached to the support tubes. This bow could be disassembled for storage, and the fabric top would zip on to the main top. I plan to leave the main bimini frame and support tubes permanently erected and install the additional bow as needed. I like being able to fold the frame back when going forward, without the entire bimini coming down. I have raised and lowered the mast several times in the driveway and at the boat ramp without incident. Towing the boat with the frame up was not a problem. Ultimately I hope to have tent-like sides to fully enclose the cockpit. However I have a lengthy to-do list for homne and garden tasks, so it may be some time before this project ends. I have gained new respect for professional bimini fabricators. I can appreciate why those folks charge what they do. steve Steve R. M-15 #119 Lexington, KY _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
