Monterey Boats 186MS, Owner'S Manual, Page: 127 / 254

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MONTEREY
BOATS
Exterior Equipment
11.9 Bimini Top & Optional Canvas
The canvas for Monterey boats is custom fit to
each boat. An optional bow cover protects the
seats and equipment forward of the windshield.
The bimini top and boot is standard equipment on
most models and designed with a relatively flat
profile and a snug fit. The canvas is fit to the boat
at the factory and the bimini top must be installed
properly in order for the optional clear connector
and side curtains to fit.
To install the Bimini top, attach the main legs to
the deck hinges using the quick release pins and
leave the rear stanchions loose. Next, open the
bimini and attach the front straps to the metal
eye straps on the top of the windshield frame.
Attach the rear stanchions, one at a time, to the
rear deck hinges located near the rear of the wind-
shield. Use your body weight on the rear corner
of the bimini to pull down and stretch the fabric
until the stanchion eye end lines up with the hole
in the deck hinge. Secure each eye end to the
deck hinge with the quick release pins. If the top
is still adjusted to factory specifications, the top
will be level and the canvas tight.
NOTICE:
The front straps of the bimini must be se-
cured to the windshield before the rear stan-
chions are secured to the deck. If the rear
stanchions are secured first, it will be very
difficult to secure the front straps without
loosening them. If the front straps are loos-
ened, the bimini top will be too loose and the
clear connector and side curtains will not fit
properly and appear to be too short.
Bimini Top Enclosure
A clear connector, side curtains and aft curtain is
an available option on most models. If your boat
is equipped with enclosure curtains, they must be
installed in the proper sequence.
Close the center windshield section and attach the
clear connector to the zipper at the front of the
top and snap it to the top of the windshield frame
beginning with the center snaps. If the bimini
top is adjusted properly, the clear connector will
have to be stretched just enough to pull out the
wrinkles and reach the snaps on the windshield.
The front straps will continue to bear the main
load of the top.
Once the clear connector is completely installed,
the side curtains can be put on. Attach the side
curtains to the zippers on the sides of the bimini
and to the front connector. Snap the curtains to
the windshield and the deck beginning with the
forward snaps on the windshield. If the bimini is
adjusted properly, the side curtains will have to
be stretched slightly to pull out the wrinkles and
reach the snaps. The main load for the top should
remain on the front straps and the rear stanchions.
If you have the optional drop curtain, attach it to
the zipper on the back of the top and to the rear
of the side curtains. Snap the drop curtain to the
deck and cockpit.
There is a panel in the clear connector that can
be rolled up and secured by straps near the top of
the bimini. This roll up panel allows the walk-thru
feature of the cockpit and windshield to be used
when the bimini and clear connector are installed.
The side curtains and clear connector should
be stored either rolled or flat, without folds or
creases. Folding the curtains will make permanent
creases that could cause the vinyl to crack.
NOTICE:
Cold weather can make the clear vinyl ma-
terial on the curtains stiff and difficult to
stretch to the snaps. This can particularly
difficult with new canvas that has been
stored off the boat. Laying the curtains in
the sun for 30 minutes during the heat of the
day will make installing them much easier
in cold weather.
11.10 Radar Arch
An aluminum or fiberglass arch with a ski tow is
optional on most models. Arches equipped with a
ski tow are designed for pulling one average sized
skier or wakeboarder. You should never tow more
than one skier or wakeboarder from any arch. Tow-
ing more than one skier will put too much strain on
the fabrication and could cause damage to the arch
and deck. Refer to the Transom Ski Tow section in
this chapter for more information on using the arch
or transom ski tow fitting.
The warranty for the arch will be void if it is modified
in any way or overloaded by towing too many skiers
or wakeboarders. Additionally, if items like anten-
nas, spotlights and other accessories are mounted
improperly or in the wrong location, the warranty
could be void. If you intend to add equipment or
make modifications to the arch, you should contact
your dealer or Monterey Customer Service to make