Measuring bimini top
The only thing you need to do before ordering the biminitop is to choose the length, height, and width of the biminitop that best fits the size of your boat.
The length (L) and height (H) determine how much shade your biminitop will provide.
Determine where the biminitop will be attached and what the reach of the top is when you unfold it. Also check where the top will be in the lowered position at the back of the boat. Make sure there is enough space at the front and back of the biminitop to mount the attachment eyes on the boat, where the straps of the biminitop will be attached.
Using a measuring tape, you can determine which length of the biminitop provides the desired amount of shade on your boat.
The main mounting point is approximately in the middle of the bimini on both sides of the boat.
After you have determined where the bimini attachment will be on the boat, measure the distance between these attachment points to determine the width (B) of the top you need.
The frame is width-adjustable so it can be mounted within the specified range as indicated in the sizing when you order the bimini. (see image above)
Example of a width size of 155-169 cm: This means that the bimini is generally 155 cm wide but can be mounted up to a width of 169 cm. There is an adjustment possible of +/- 15 cm. For stability, it is better to set the bottom of the bimini outward rather than inward, but this is possible!
Choose the width that most closely matches your measurement of the width between the attachments.
Height
You determine the correct height while standing in the boat; measure straight up the desired height from the attachment points. You and any passengers should be able to stand comfortably on larger boats. If you mount the bimini on a small boat, don't go too high; if you can just stand with a slightly bent head and knees, that's good enough. The higher you go, the less shade you get. Especially on small rubber boats or fishing boats, you usually sit and there is no room to slide your seat if it is in the sun. If you can stand slightly bent under the bimini on such boats, that is actually good enough.
Additional information for sailboats
Pay close attention with sailboats because there are more factors to consider. Ask yourself when you will use the bimini. If you want to use the bimini while sailing and the boom hangs above the bimini, keep in mind that when you hoist the sail, you usually lower the crane line. This causes the boom to hang lower, and especially when sailing close-hauled with the mainsheet tight, the boom usually comes even lower.
Also useful to consider is the mounting location. Sailboats often have a raised cockpit edge. If you place the bimini on the cockpit edge, it can significantly limit freedom of movement because a frame is in the way. Usually, but not always, it is more practical to place the bimini on the outer edge of the side deck so you can always walk forward.
You may also need to take into account the backstay or double backstay. Often you place the bimini in front of this stay, but sometimes that is inconvenient. We can also make a two-way zipper in the middle of the bimini between the tubes, allowing you to create more shade. If you have two stays, that is also possible, but you must measure very precisely how far apart these stays are at the highest point of the bimini.