DDDuster
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024
Power Arm is now SureShade. I have a Power Arm already that came installed on my Tritoon. This was going on the front. It comes with a toggle switch and keyfob to use to raise and lower the Bimini. I personally prefer a rocker switch like what is currently installed with the Power Arm. It does not come with front support arms, you will need to purchase them separately. The product came damaged and packaged poorly in the box, which was damaged heavily. I was able to send it back with a full refund.
Timothy Gray
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023
Biggest mess I have ever saw. No actuator’s no braces to hold up frame. No lock kits to hold bars. This is a horrible experience.
Timothy Reed
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2022
Canvas bar holes not drilled and tapped to attached to left side motor! Emailed customer service without reply. I could have bought straight from factory for less after repair price.
Gussy
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2021
I installed myself. Read the directions, watched You Tube videos and read numerous articles before attempting. I’m not an electrician so that was the most difficult part for me. It takes a lot of forethought, be patient & think things through as to what works best for your boat.
Constance M Beck
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021
I ordered this online to replace a non-powered bimini. First, the unit arrived partially damaged. The product has two electric motors and the wires on the motors were crimped through the insulation. At first, I contacted the seller and they were responsive and said they would contact the manufacturer - but after the initial interaction I did not receive a response or a response to my additional emails.This product comes in a very large box. It would have been a big hassle to try and return the item and I didn't trust the seller and manufacturer to refund the purchase price, so I fixed the wires myself. Somewhat disappointing on a new product.Next, while the instructions are adequate, they neglect to discuss how you should run the wires from one side of the boat to the other. It sounds easy, unless you have door openings. Let me elaborate: There are two motors (one for each side) and they both have wires that need to be run to one switch. One on the port side and one on the starboard side. If you have a door on the rear of the boat, or a door on the side behind where the bimini motors should be installed you need to get creative. You either have to run wires underneath the boat, fish them through the support brackets, or use wire loom on the exterior. If you are running wires through the support brackets, expect to be drilling holes. The instructions do not discuss this - it simply mentions "run wires".Furthermore, if your boat has slightly curved railings where the bimini motors need to be installed, you will need to add some spacers to account for the curvature.Finally, there was no discussion of how to reinstall your stern light. The light has the same issue as the wiring for the motors. You either need to run wires through the support bracket and drill holes prior to the assembly, or you will need to run wires on the exterior.This install took me about 7-10 hours while the boat was on a lift. I'd recommend not installing it on a lift; there are no extra fasteners and if you drop one in the water you are off to the hardware store. Now that I know how to install this item, I think I could do another one in about 4-5 hours.However, once I solved all of the above problems I really do like the top. Just be ready for some challenges during the install.
Mark
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2021
Likes: Quality is excellent. Frame and actuators are heavy duty. Canvas top and boot are light weight compared to my original but very well constructed, very easy to remove and install for cleaning and folds neatly and easily when lowered or to install the boot. Kit included the remote control module and key fob which I thought was an option that you could add for an additional cost so that was a pleasant surprise.Dislikes: Installation is not easy so don't try it if you're not handy with tools, wiring, or figuring out how to make it work on your particular boat. Instructions are general but sufficient to get you through assembly and wiring. I don't like the included toggle switch. It seems flimsy and lightweight with a toggle lever that is thin, sticks out, and may be prone to breaking off if snagged or hit accidentally. It's momentary on/off so you have to hold it until the top is completely up or down. Plus, it don't match typical boat switched with the flat face. I used a better matching switch that is not momentary. Install jumpers and wire it to match the included switch. I turn it on, wait for the cycle to complete and turn it off. My main issue was figuring out how to get the port side actuator wire over to the starboard side console. I ended up running it through the bimini rail. It's not long enough but there will be extra you can cut from the starboard actuator and splice. Figuring this out and routing the wiring took most of my time. And don't forget to run a wire through the rear rail for your anchor light before final assembly.Overall, it was bit of a challenge to install but the end result is worth it. I love it and highly recommend it if you raise and lower your top often. I need to lower mine every time before pulling into my boathouse and raising the lift. With the old top, that's a 2 man job and takes a few minutes. Now I just push a button. Good luck and happy boating!