DIY Bimini Top With Backstay Slits & a Window

X-HT-300748

Have you avoided adding a bimini to the aft of your sailboat because there are backstays running down from the mast? These support cables may be necessary, but they don't have to prevent you from enjoying some shade! In this video, we'll teach you how to sew a 3-bow bimini top that lets the sailboat backstays pass right through. Plus, a built-in window gives you a clear view of your sail to make sure everything is shipshape. Let's dive in!

Video Chapters:

Installing Strap Eyes on Frame – 2:52 min.
Making Adjustable Webbing Straps – 7:07 min.
Securing Frame – 14:44 min.
Patterning on Frame – 23:32 min.
Patterning Aft & Forward Panels – 41:00 min.
Creating Aft Zippered Pocket & Tails – 48:21 min.
Joining Aft Tail & Zippered Pocket – 1:05:51 min.
Adding Backstay Slits – 1:12:47 min.
Creating Cone for Backstay Openings – 1:30:05 min.
Sewing Other Half of Zippers at Aft – 1:50:45 min.
Adding Tail & Pocket to Forward Panel – 1:59:16 min.
Installing Window in Forward Panel – 2:06:17 min.
Making Center Pocket & Joining Panels – 2:30:10 min.
Sewing Other Half of Center Zipper to Bimini – 2:42:53 min.
Trimming Skirt Edges & Tails – 2:46:22 min.
Adding Skirt Edge Facings – 2:47:58 min.
Sewing Binding on Edges – 2:52:42 min.
Installing Bimini on Frame – 2:58:19 min.
Installing Snaps on Ends of Pockets – 3:01:19 min.

Materials List:

Sunbrella® Webbing 1" – Natural (#144404) or Black (#144408)
Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.) – #129
Webbing Slider With Raised Bar 1" (Stainless Steel) – #28207
Fast Eye Snap Hook 1" (Stainless Steel) – #100532
YKK® Loop Loc 1" Plastic Black – #104426
Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" – #5643
Sailrite® Patterning Material 78" – #125402
Sattler® Marine Grade 60" Fabric – color of choice
Lenzip® #10 Separating Molded Tooth Zipper (Delrin® Single Pull Slider) – Black (#123743) or White #123744)
Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) – #122065
Tex 90 UV Bonded Polyester Thread – colormatched to fabric
Polyester Black Hook – #105032
Polyester Black Loop – #105036
Sattler® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 1" – colormatched to fabric
Regalite® 30 Gauge Vinyl Window Material 29" x 68" Clear – #103730
Sailrite® Woven Sew In Tags (2 pack) – #121627
Blind Rivet for SnapRite® Surface Die (Stainless Steel) – #103755
Sailrite® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Cloth Stud (Stainless Steel) – #125660
Sailrite® Snap Fastener Button 11/64" (Nickel-Plated Brass) – #999777
DOT® Snap Fastener Hard Action Socket (Nickel-Plated Brass) – #333058

Note: These items are included in the Sailrite® Bimini Skin Kit for 3-Bow with Window & Backstay Slits (#126410). Bimini frame kits and corresponding hardware are sold separately.

Tools List:

Tape Measure 120" – #102986
Professional Rivet Tool – #103520
Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package – #122177
Sailrite® Tempered Cutting Glass – #121915
Sailrite® Deluxe Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V) – #400600
Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" – #101017
Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" – #102400
Kai Professional Stainless Steel 9" Scissors – #125662
Precision Cutting Blade & Foot for Edge Hotknife – #125495
Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set – #121669
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler – #107040
Scribe-All® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil – #120681
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table – #120934
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) – #311602
Small Fabric/Leather Clips (50 pack) – #123121
Suisei Magnetic Sewing Guide – #102983
Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl – #121977
3M™ Specialty Adhesive Remover 32 oz. (Quart) – #108984
Flexible Curve 20" With Ruler – #123117
Sailrite® 1" Swing-Away Binder – #100103
Spring Clamp – #50211
SnapRite® Surface Mount Stud Die – #103754
Pres-N-Snap Installation Tool – #109011
Spring Prick Punch & Center Punch, Drill, 1/8" Drill Bit, #20 Drill Bit, Cutting Oil, Rag, Tape Measure, Marker, T-Square, Packing Tape, Weighted Sandbags

Note: These items are sold separately.

X Ht 300748 2 — A bimini requires a lot of materials, and we've made it easy for you to get exactly what you need. The Sailrite^® Bimini Skin Kit for 3-Bow with Window & Backstay Slits (#126410) includes all the materials this bimini DIY calls for. Water- and fade-resistant Sattler^® Marine Grade fabric in your color of choice will make your deluxe 3-bow bimini the envy of the marina.

We're always innovating with our patterns and project kits, and this bimini kit is no different. You'll learn how to make a bimini in a new way that results in fewer wrinkles and an overall smoother look. Fabric cones around the backstays prevent water from leaking in overhead, while fabric tails keep water from dripping in at the edges. The integrated window features a cover, plus a pocket to keep the cover from brushing your head while the window is open.

X Ht 300748 3 — Leak-prevention cones are a must-make feature on this bimini cover for boats with backstays.

But you won't just get a practical sailboat bimini with useful features from this Sailrite bimini kit. You'll also learn a plethora of skills that you can use on other DIYs, including:

How to sew a box X stitch.
How to pattern around obstacles.
How to use matchup marks.
How to sew curved hems.
How to use a tacking stitch.
How to remove adhesive from clear vinyl.
And much, much more!

Whether you've never made a boat bimini before or you're a seasoned marine canvas sewer, all the information you need to make this kit is right at your fingertips. We'll walk you step by step through the sewing process in this thorough how-to video, and you can pause it at any time to work at your speed. You can do it! Watch the video above to get started.

X Ht 300748 4 — This DIY boat canopy includes a window with a cover and storage pocket.

This tutorial is part of our Seaward 32RK Project Series. This sailboat is getting the full DIY treatment! Learn how to sew new v-berth cushions, how to make curved cockpit cushions and more in this series. Click here to view all the projects we’ve completed for this total boat overhaul project.