www.iFourWinns.com

I purchased a three bow bimini top for my 1987 215. I haven't installed it yet but in looking at the boat it appears that where the mounting brackets would logically go will result in the bows interfering with the VHF antenna installation.

One possibility is the narrow ledge just outside the side window frame but I'm not sure if there is enough support for the brackets. I wonder what others have done?

Tim

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1987 Sundowner 215
Mercruiser 230/V8 - Alpha One Gen 1
Previous Boat
1973 Starcraft 21' Chieftain 120 HP Mercruiser I/O
PADI Master Diver
IANTD Technical EANx Diver
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor

They make mounts that tilt so that you can mount it on an angled surface. When I installed mine on my '88 H-200 I was thinking of eventually having an enclosure made. So what I did was mount it on the inside of the gunnels, on slider mounts so I can also slide it out of the way when fishing. I think most mount it on the outside but if you eventually want to do an enclosure, it makes it a lot easier if it's mounted the way I did it....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ao7q5x2adv5z0 ... p.JPG?dl=0

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I ended up installing it on the gunwhale where the railing is attached. Because the surface is angled inwards I had to grind an angle on the mounting brackets. I discovered the 8 foot VHF antenna was broken so I've decided to replace it with a 4 foot model. I also fabricated a spacer to set the mounting base out slightly so there should be no interference with the bimini bows.

I'm sure there are lots of opinions regarding short versus long VHF antennas ---- Based upon my 50+ years as a Ham radio operator and considering how it is likely to be used, I think I'll be OK. That, and the fact the the USCG has a 430' tower with marine frequency coverage and direction finding capability located along the shore of Lake Huron about 6 miles North of my usual launch ramp. In fact, the tower is a mere 1/2 mile from my home.

I volunteer for the local sheriff's department (chief pilot - Aero unit) and we've found the most useful safety item to have aboard is a cell phone. You have to be way out there before you can't reach a cell tower along the shore.

_________________
1987 Sundowner 215
Mercruiser 230/V8 - Alpha One Gen 1
Previous Boat
1973 Starcraft 21' Chieftain 120 HP Mercruiser I/O
PADI Master Diver
IANTD Technical EANx Diver
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor