Bimini setup

[buzz]

I just got a 2002 22i type r. It has the stock tige tower with wakeboard racks. I am having problems setting up the bimini. Does it go inside the tower??? Help, Burning up in Boise

[raythompson]

Yes, it does.

I had trouble with my bimini for my 22V until I learned the trick.

There should be a sliding sleeve on one arm on each side. Push in the pin and slide the sleeve all the way down as far as it will go. This exposes a knuckle that is real important.

This knuckle will flex reducing the height of the bimini top. The top can then be moved forward or back in the tower. I keep my bimini in front of the tower so it folds toward the front of the boat. I flex the knuckles and that allows me to extend the rear portion of the bimini toward the back of the boat.

Once that is done slide the sleeves over the knuckles to make the tube rigid. Place the front support arms into their mounts first. Then do the back mounts. You may have to pull down hard on the rear mounts to stretch the bimini.

It sounds harder than it is. Once you fully expose the knuckle you will see how it works.

Oh, and I had to rotate my knuckles to get them to fold properly. Pliers can rotate the knuckles easily.

[Matt Garcia]

Does your tower look like this one?

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/attachment.php?postid=916

[buzz]

Thanks for the help I will give it a try.:)

[buzz]

Yes it looks just like that.

[Matt Garcia]

Check out this ad on boatraderonline.com

Its an 02 22i with detailed pictures of the bimini deployed.

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/7/79331747.htm

[xpjim1]

I had the same setup on my 20V. You needed a PHD in bimini to set it up. I was going to have a longer simpler bimini made but bought a 24V instead. What throws most people on this setup is you have the transport bimini holes in the middle of the rear legs. You must unscrew those and then extend the 2 bimini poles until they lock. Reattach these poles on the holes facing forward on the rear tower posts. open bimini on the inside of the tower and attach the 2 front bimini posts. Slide the rear bimini poles onto the knobs on the rear tower legs. Then undo the velcro, wrap around center bimini posts and velcro the last bimini flap around rear tower leg. Attach the rear straps and you are done.

Use this along with the pictures in Matt's link.

I had pictures at one time and I will see if I have them when I get home.

Good Luck

[Matt Garcia]

Yes it was a nightmare to put up my bimini on my 01 23V. I actually did not use it the first few weeks I got it since I did not know how to put it up. My wife hated putting it but it was a necessity in the summer months.

[buzz]

Thanks for all the help. I put it up for the first time last night. It was easy once I figured it out.

[scootc]

Another trick is to leave the bimini cover on until you've mounted the front portion. Otherwise it quickly turns into a big mess.