High Quality Bimini Tops At A Low Price

We have been making bimini tops for the boating industry for over 35 years.  From the way we manufacture our bimini tops to the way we run our business we are not your typical manufacturer. 

For many years now we have been supplying boat manufacturers with the very best bimini tops available.  We are not the largest out there but we are by far the best.  When the economy took a dive in 2008 we knew we had to get creative to stay afloat.  We have known for years that the choices out there for a boat owner to buy a new bimini top was limited.  The ones that were out there were very similar to each other in price and quality.  High price sub par to poor quality.  But they could get away with it because no one else was making them on a large scale…in essence there was no real competition.  There was no real reason to improve on price or quality.  There is a reason now.  That reason is Northstar Bimini Tops.

As the manufacturer we save our customers hundreds of dollars on a bimini top.  We are not a distributor.  We do not buy our bimini tops and then resell them.  We design them in house.  We manufacture them in house.  Our customers get the highest level of quality and service available.  We have been slowly growing and are beginning to make ourselves known. 

The toughest obstacle we have to overcome is being noticed online when someone does a web search for bimini tops.  So often when you search online for anything you typically stop after the first page or two of search results.  I did the same thing.  I don’t anymore.  I search out the best deal.  Not just the lowest price.  In this world of online purchasing there is no relationship anymore between the buyer and seller.  We try to create one online.  We are available for questions at any time.  We want to make sure you are comfortable with your purchase.  We want you to feel confident what you are buying will fit your boat.  We work one on one with you when what you need is not just a stock bimini off the shelf.  When you need an alternative way to mount it, or a different height or width.  Perhaps you want to install your bimini on a sailboat and have the backstay pass through the bimini top.  We can help.  We will work with you to make it happen.  No extra charge on most special requests. 

We are growing our business the old fashioned way…by providing an outstanding product at an outstanding price.  We want to grow because of word of mouth not because we paid a bunch of money to get on the first page or two of an internet search.  We not only want to earn your business we want you to be so happy you will tell your boating neighbors and friends about us. 

We are here for you.  We are ready to help. 

Northstar Bimini tops…Leading the way in quality and service. 

Stainless Steel Frames–Knockdown Style

The market is flooded with bimini tops for your fiberglass runabout boat.  There are seemingly hundreds of sites online to buy a replacement bimini top and frame.  I’ve noticed that virtually all of the framework for those bimini tops are made with 7/8” round aluminum.  I’ve seen plenty that reinforce the main bow with 3/4” tubing to keep it strong.  They are decked out in stainless steel hardware as well.  The frames are cut down and then put into a box for you to reassemble when you get it.  Putting the frame back together is pretty easy and though it is not very sturdy you realize it will do the job.  It may not be exactly what you want but it will work.  You may have had the option to get the frame in stainless steel but realize that there is no way the frame will be strong enough or simple enough to put back together.  After all, once you cut stainless…forget it…the strength and integrity of the frame is shot.  If only there was  a way to knock the stainless frame down and have it strong once it is reassembled.  I think you know where this is going…Our stainless frame does just that. 

We cut our frames down in a much different place than where others do.  We make sure that the entire crown of the frame is in one piece.  The crown is the part of the frame that spans the width of the boat.  Most frames are cut down in the crown.  Ours are not.  We make sure the crown is intact which is what gives the frame its strength.  We cut it down in such a way you will barely notice where it is cut after it is put back together.  I know what you are thinking…this thing must be a pain to put together…nothing could be further from the truth.  Actually the only tools you will need are your fingers.  No tools required.  We have developed this system for our frames so that they are easy assembled and you will not have to worry about screws coming loose.

 

There is no wobble to our frames.  They are strong and they are rigid.  We have the answer for all of you that want a stainless steel frame for your boat but don’t want to pay hundreds in shipping.  If you are not completely satisfied with this frame or bimini top we will not only refund your money we will pick up the freight charges to ship it back to us.  We work hard to make sure you are satisfied before and after the sale.  Check us out at www.northstarproductsinc.com

Now Is The Time.

Finding a great company can be difficult.  By a great company I mean one that offers a great product or service at a great price.  It shouldn’t stop there though.  A great company has the industry expertise to back up what it provides.  Having a great product is great, and expertise in the industry is better but having true quality customer service is even better.

Being able to call any company anymore to speak with a real live person is becoming more and more difficult.  As a society we are beginning to loose our ability to communicate with each other unless we are behind a keyboard.  Reading about the attributes of a product or what a company can do from behind a keyboard is one thing but speaking with a person is another entirely.  If you speak with someone you can tell how excited he/she is about the product.  The enthusiasm you can pick up on through their voice can make you feel much better about your decision.

There are millions of products for sale online.  What really separates them?  Each claims they are the best.  Each claims superb service, try calling the company.  See how willing someone is to speak with you.  How fast do they return your calls if you do get voicemail?  Hell, how fast do they return an email?  Back not so many years ago there were sales persons that sold products…not websites.  Those sales people are still out there.  You can still find them.  A great company has both.  They have sales people as well as a website to back up their products.  

Can you imagine a company that sells the products it makes, made in the USA, at low prices, backed by actual people you can talk to?  A company that will take the time to listen to you the customer not just push a product onto you.  How about a company that will make a product according to what you want and not charge you an arm and a leg for “custom” work?  Think that company doesn’t exist?  Think again…think Northstar Products Inc. 

Pontoon Bimini Top Frames – make the old new again.

So here we are ending another boating season.  This is the time of the year we begin thinking about pulling the boat out, getting it winterized, and start thinking about the next boating season!  It is time to stand back and take a good look at the pontoon boat to see what you want to replace or repair for the next boating season. 

The framework for your bimini top can really take a beating over the season.  Your passengers use it as a handrail to get in and out of your pontoon at the dock and they hold onto it to keep from falling out of the boat as you decide to jump that 3’ rolling wave!  Drinks are spilled and fish are flopped against it.  Your pontoon frame has indeed seen better days.  You really don’t want to buy an whole new frame though.  The only thing you really don’t like about it are the fittings that put it together are all vinyl.  You would really like to have the metal fittings.  Not necessarily stainless but at least the aluminum kind that match the frame and will give pontoon bimini framework a bit more rigidity. 

Replacing your pontoon bimini framework hardware will only take a couple of hours on a rainy (or snowy) winters day.  The first thing you need to do is check out www.northstarproductsinc.com to buy the fittings you need.  Then, when they come in, take your frame apart and replace the fittings.  It may take a little bit of your time to adjust them to get them in the correct location on your frame but the money you will save from not buying a whole new frame will be well worth the time.  Not to mention the money you will save by buying the parts at www.northstarproductsinc.com. 

So now that the fittings are replaced you want to know what works best to buff out your framework to make the actual metal look like new again.  We find that using a stainless steal polish works best even on a satin anodized aluminum.  Rubbing compound works as well but you have to put in a bit more effort with it.  Once you have replaced your fittings and buffed out your frame with some polish and a terry cloth towel, the only thing left to do is wait for the ice and snow to melt and get your pontoon back in the water where it belongs!

which material works best for a boat bimini top?

You need a bimini top but are overwhelmed at the number of different materials that are available. There are quite a few differences in how the many materials are made and what they will do for you. First of all it is important to point out that most materials are water resistant and not water proof. Sunbrella included. Sunbrella and others do offer water proof materials but when it comes to a bimini top water resistant is normally good enough.

Water Resistant

This means water will bead up and roll off the material. Thus preventing saturation. Should water be allowed to collect on the material over a period of time or should you be caught in a long terrifying downpour, water will begin to seap through the material. More often than not this is not an issue.

Ounce Weight

A bimini top ideally should be made with a material that is at least an 8 oz weight material. Lighter materials can be used but given how fast most boats travel while underway the heavier materials hold up longer. If you own a boat that you typically do not go over 20 mph or so then a lighter weight material will suffice. Sunbrella, Outdura, and Recassins all offer a 9.25 oz material. Polyesters tend to run in a lighter ounce weight that can range from 4 to 8 oz.

Color fastness

Solution dyed materials will hold their color best. There are solution dyed acrylics such as Sunbrella, Outdura, and Recassins. There are also solution dyed polyesters such as Top Notch and Weathermax. Solution dyed polyesters are typically stronger than solution dyed acrylics. These materials get their color pigment before it is made into the finished product.

Polyester and polyester blends will not hold their color as well. They are produced as Grey Goods first and then the pigment is added to the material after it it woven into fabric. Aqualon, Surlast, Odyssey III and Top Gun are all polyester and polyester blends that perform very well in the market for bimini top material.

Warranty

There really is no typical warranty. They range from 3 years on most polyesters up to 10 years on solution dyed acrylics. Though that warranty is nice, it is important to know that as long as you take care of your canvas, even in expensive polyester blend such as Odyssey III can give you many, many years of shade and protection from the rain.

So you know a little about what to look for but still need some recommendations. The first list is what I see in my industry by popularity. I always tell people that if they just need a bimini top to keep the rain and sun off their head not to be afraid to go to a more economical road and choose polyester. However, if you want to make sure your bimini top doesn't just function but will look like brand new for as long as possible you must consider solution dyed acrylics and solutions dyed polyesters.

Sunbrella has the best warranty right now that guarantees the fabric for 10 years against fading and deterioration.

1. Sunbrella (solution dyed acrylic)

2. Odyssey III (polyester blend)

3. Outdura (solution dyed acrylic)

4. Aqualon (polyester)

5. Weathermax 80 (solution dyed polyester)

Northstar Products' mission is to provide boat owners with high quality parts and products for their boats. We strive to do this at the lowest possible prices while still retaining a high level of customer service. We will exceed your expectations with our quality, timeliness, and professionalism. We are committed to making sure you are pleased with your purchase now and in the future. Northstar has been designing and building canvas for boats for over 35 years. Let our expertise and experience help guide you in making a good decision. If we can't help you we will point you in the direction of someone who can. Our goal as a fellow boater is to give you the best products at the best prices with the best warranties.

spring is in the air

Well spring is officially here, more importantly the weather is starting to reflect that as well. It's time to uncover the pontoon and see what old man winter has done to your boat. Time to dust it off and get it ready for the water. Let's get the seats cleaned and treated, dust off the dashboard, and open up that bimini top. With any luck no wild animal has decided to make a home in your bimini top or even worse think it makes a good dinner. More than one bimini top has been on the plate of a squirrel or mouse! The frame is in good shape but it is time for a new bimini fabric.

It is important to consider what is right for you. Perhaps all you need is something to keep the rain and sun off of your head. You aren't too concerened with keeping up with the Jones' next door so the sunbrella bimini may be out of the question. Consider a polyester such as odyssey III or even Weathermax 80 - a solution dyed polyester. These are great alternatives to the Sunbrella and Outdura solution dyed acrylic. Check out our selection or give us a call. All of our products are made right here in the USA. Let us earn your business. www.northstarproductsinc.com