How to Make a 2-Bow Bimini Top

X-HT-300192

Find shelter from the sun and protection from the rain and spray with a bimini top made of long-lasting marine grade fabric. With 2-bow bimini skin kits available in dozens of colors and three fabric choices, you can customize your bimini top. This video tutorial will provide a closer look at patterning in detail, installing a backstay slit, sewing zippered pockets and more with a kit from Sailrite®. The result is a custom top built to last, so you can spend more time enjoying the water!

Video Chapters:

  • Patterning on Frame — 1:35 min.
  • Adding Seam Allowance — 11:26 min.
  • Transferring Pattern to Fabric & Cutting — 13:00 min.
  • Patterning Tubing Pockets — 15:37 min.
  • Making Hang Down Tails — 19:02 min.
  • Adding Reinforcement & Hems to Pockets — 22:12 min.
  • Creating Skirt Facings — 26:30 min.
  • Backstay Slit (optional) — 30:15 min.
  • Adding Zippers to Pockets — 32:18 min.
  • Baste & Sew Tail & Pockets — 39:15 min.
  • Baste & Sew Pocket Zippers to Top — 46:18 min.
  • Trimming Tails & Binding Bimini Perimeter — 54:11 min.
  • Installing Strap Eyes on Tubing — 1:01:08 min.
  • Making Adjustable Webbing Straps — 1:04:47 min.
  • Installing Snaps for Pocket Ends — 1:11:58 min.

Materials List:

Choose One:

  • Sailrite® Bimini Skin Kit for 2-Bow Frame - Sattler® Yachtmaster Fabric #126827
  • Sailrite® Bimini Skin Kit for 2-Bow Frame - Sattler® Fabric #126826
  • Sailrite® Bimini Skin Kit for 2-Bow Frame - Sunbrella® Fabric #121342

Tools List:

  • Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" #101017
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set #121669
  • Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package #122177
  • Precision Cutting Blade & Foot for Edge Hotknife #125495
  • Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler #107040
  • Scribe-All® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil #120681
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) #311602
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table #120934
  • Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide #103597
  • Large Fabric/Leather Grip Clips #126365
  • Sailrite® 1" Swing-Away Binder #100103
  • Professional Rivet Installation Tool #103520
  • Sailrite® Tempered Cutting Glass #121915
  • Spring Clamp #50211
  • SnapRite® Surface Mount Stud Die #103754
  • Pres-N-Snap® Installation Tool #109011
  • Marker, Bubble Level, Straight Edge, Tape Measure, Masking Tape, Spring Center Punch, Cutting Oil, Drill, 1/8" & 5/32" drill bit for hard metal
How to Make a 2 Bow Bimini Top 2

We have three 2-Bow Bimini Skin Kits to choose from. Each kit has the same materials, and you'll follow along with the video featured above to make each kit. The big difference is the fabric for your bimini top. You can choose between Sattler® Marine Grade, Sunbrella® Marine Grade and Sattler® Yachtmaster.

For those who know the name Sunbrella and want to go with a brand they recognize, choose the Sunbrella Marine Grade kit. Sattler Marine Grade has all the same great features as Sunbrella — UV, water and fade resistant, easy to pattern and clean, mold/mildew resistant — at a lower cost. If you're on a budget or appreciate saving some money, Sattler Marine Grade is an excellent choice. 

A step above Sattler and Sunbrella Marine Grade is Sattler Yachtmaster. Yachtmaster is Sattler marine with an acrylic coating on the underside for superior water resistance. In fact, Yachtmaster never requires re-treatment to restore lost water resistance.

Watch the video below to learn more about these three fabrics and which one is right for your boat.

You'll need to pattern your bimini top on an existing bimini frame. If you don't have a frame installed, we have frame kits you can order as well. To learn how to assemble your Bimini Frame Kit, check out the “How to Install a 2-Bow Bimini Frame” (#300191XHT) video.

If you find that our Bimini Skin Kits are missing something essential to your unique project, just let us know and we would be happy to customize a kit for you! Every Sailrite Bimini Skin Kit is designed to fit perfectly with a Bimini Frame Kit for a professional-looking bimini durable enough to last season after season.

A Bimini Frame Kit and Bimini Skin Kit together from Sailrite give you the great opportunity to customize everything from the material of the frame to the color of the canvas! Our frame kits come with all the hardware and supplies needed to assemble and install the bimini frame, while a paired skin kit includes the fabric and supplies needed to sew the bimini top.