We discuss how and where the front bimini will mount and how the back bimini top and front bimini top will zip together. What will the enclosure panels look like? Where will there be clear vinyl for the windows? We discuss the location of extra zippers in the enclosure panels for doors-always in the front, back and port side. We will highlight the options that we have available and discuss material, blackout curtains and screens. Most of the pontoons we work on are looking for shade from the sun, and our enclosures are just for protection from the weather and are made with only the clear vinyl windows. Use dictates materials Because most of the tops and enclosures we work on are being stored away, we use materials that are easily stored and design the bimini frame to collapse and store on the boat. We mainly use Sunbrella® ; however, we do use other materials to try to match the factory back top if required. Our clear vinyl is .030 rolled double polished. Some of the panels can be 8 feet tall and 16 feet wide. We will roll the panels for better storage on the boat. Another challenge we face is the Denver climate. At 5,280 feet above sea level, the sun's UV rays are extremely damaging. We use SolarFix® polytetra fl uoroethylene (PTFE) thread for all our projects. Fabrication process: Bimini fi rst Most of the pontoon boats already have a back bimini frame, and the frame is usually in good shape. This allows us to reuse the back frame and fabricate a new front frame. We will set up the frames using webbing straps and pretension the straps for the best fi t. Like most canvas shops, we start by making pattern templates. We use 70-pound Kraft paper instead of plastic. Clear vinyl with the zipper and screen sewn together for screen windows. Bimini frames set up with the Two bimini tops before patterning the webbing straps. enclosure panels. Having the boat in the shop allows for test fi tting. Shown is a blank front enclosure panel test fi t. www.marinefabricatormag.com | 37http://www.marinefabricatormag.com