continued   I knew that a T-Top could provide fishable sun protection and I set off to buy a low cost T-Top for my 17 ft Cobia. I wanted a top that folded or detached for storage and passage under fixed bridges. The prices ranged from $1600 to $2500. The welder who offered the best price was so annoyed that I wasn't happy about spending $1600 he suggested I quit looking and turn in my Florida fishing license. Since I design and build new homes here in Florida that meet rigid hurricane codes, I thought I could design and build a durable and economical T Top that could detach to allow a boat access under bridges and garage storage.

I felt that the simplicity, durability, convenient storage and low cost of a Bimini could somehow be blended with the fishing convenience and the full time sun protection of a T Top. The detachable Bimi-Tee Top™ is the result. I wanted to design the top so that it could be manufactured, shipped anywhere by UPS, and, by design, allow any handy boat owner to install it themselves. I worked on the top for about 2 months and tested it on my own boat and others, both on the water and at speeds of 65 to 70 miles per hour on the highway. I bent a lot of aluminum pipe perfecting the top.

I applied for and received a utility patent on the T Top. I think the most important aspect of the patent is the fact that the Bimi-Tee Top is specifically designed to dissipate wind pressures without transferring the forces of high-speed winds to the center console. The Top is manufactured with lighter materials than a conventional T Top so it won’t affect a boats center of gravity or handling characteristics and the lightweight allows it to be easily detached. The top's ability to dissipate the forces of wind without transferring those forces to the console makes the standard Bimi-Tee Top the only T Top suitable for flats boats and smaller center consoles. However, the tops are offered in three sizes in both bright dipped anodized aluminum and stainless steel and so that they are suitable for larger center console boats, (including walk arounds’), to lengths of 30 feet.

Taylor Made Products offered to manufacture and market the Bimi-Tee nationwide starting with the 2000 marine products season. It is Taylor's commitment to boaters and their ability to manufacture and distribute the Bimi-Tee that made affordable T Top sun protection possible. The top is available through reputable retail marine supply outlets and selected boat dealers nationwide. We sell every Taylor Made Bimi-Tee Top with a 30-day unconditional guarantee that the Bimi-Tee Top will exceed expectations and please the buyer. This policy allows fishermen to install the Bimi-Tee and use it on their own boats without risk.  Personally, I know that excessive UV sun exposure can be a life-threatening problem. You can protect yourself and your family by installing a detachable Bimi-Tee T Top. It is a fishable and affordable solution.

Yours Truly,

Donald B. Larson
President
Bimi-Tee Top