SureShade Power Bimini Sport Arm Kit

Questions and Answers

U
usharpAug 5, 2025
What to do if the front sport arm on my SureShade Boating Equipment doesn't reach the hinge assembly?
- J
  John Wolfe Jr.Aug 5, 2025
  If the front sport arm of your SureShade Boating Equipment doesn't reach the hinge assembly, it might be because the Bimini top isn't fully open. Ensure you fully open the Power Bimini top until the auto-reset breaker trips. Alternatively, the H-bracket and/or hinge assembly might not be properly installed. With the Bimini top fully open, reinstall the H-bracket and hinge assembly following the installation instructions.
L
lunadeborahAug 14, 2025
Why doesn't the front sport arm on my SureShade Boating Equipment stay secured?
- B
  bakertimothyAug 14, 2025
  If the front sport arm of your SureShade Boating Equipment does not stay secured, the EZ Clip may be damaged or worn. Replace the EZ Clip to resolve this issue.
D
Danielle GarciaAug 26, 2025
What to do if the swivel barrel won’t release from the locking plate on SureShade Boating Equipment?
- M
  Mary RoachAug 26, 2025
  If the swivel barrel won’t release from the locking plate on your SureShade Boating Equipment, there may be debris lodged inside the locking plate. Remove the debris from the locking plate to resolve this issue.

Summary

Introduction

Safety

Provides essential safety precautions and warnings for installation and operation.

Resources Required

Preparation

Outlines steps to measure and prepare for the sport arm installation.

Installation

Front Sport Arms

Specific steps for attaching and positioning the front sport arms.

Installation of the EZ Clip

Detailed procedure for installing the EZ Clip mechanism.

Operation

Extend the Front Sport Arms

Step-by-step guide to extend the front sport arms for use.

Retract the Front Sport Arms

Step-by-step guide to retract and secure the front sport arms.

The SureShade Power Bimini Sport Arm Kit is an aftermarket accessory designed to enhance the structural strength and stability of a boat's Bimini awning assembly. This kit is particularly beneficial during boating at moderate speeds, in gusty winds, and in inclement weather, providing additional support to the front frame of the Bimini top. The sport arms are engineered for ease of installation, deployment, and secure storage when not in use.

Function Description

The primary function of the SureShade Power Bimini Sport Arm Kit is to provide supplementary structural support to the front frame of an existing SureShade Power Bimini top. By connecting the Bimini frame to the boat's top rail, the sport arms create a more rigid and stable awning structure. This added strength helps to prevent excessive shaking, flexing, or potential damage to the Bimini top, especially when the boat is in motion or exposed to adverse weather conditions. The kit includes components such as H-brackets, sport arm tubes, quick-release hinge assemblies, and EZ clips, all designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing Bimini system. The sport arms are intended to be deployed when the Bimini top is extended and retracted for storage when the top is down or not in use. The design allows for quick attachment and detachment, ensuring user convenience.

Usage Features

The SureShade Power Bimini Sport Arm Kit offers several usage features that prioritize safety, convenience, and performance:

Enhanced Stability: The sport arms significantly increase the stability of the Bimini top, making it more robust against wind and boat movement. This allows for safer operation at moderate speeds, with a maximum speed rating of 45 MPH when the front sport arms are in use.
Easy Deployment and Retraction: The quick-release hinge assembly and EZ clips facilitate straightforward deployment and retraction of the sport arms. To extend, users pull the sport arm out of its EZ Clip, position the swivel barrel over the hinge assembly, slide and hold the locking button down, insert the swivel barrel, and then release the button. For retraction, the process is reversed: slide and hold the locking button down, pull the swivel barrel out of the locking plate, release the button, and push the sport arm into its EZ Clip.
Customizable Length: The kit offers sport arms in standard lengths (32" and 36"). However, if these lengths are not suitable for a specific boat's structure, the sport arms can be ordered longer than needed and then cut to a custom length. This involves removing the end cap, marking the desired length, cutting the tube with a hacksaw or chop saw, drilling a new pivot hole, and reinserting the end cap. This customization ensures a precise fit for various boat configurations.
Optimal H-Bracket Placement: The installation instructions emphasize mounting the H-brackets as high up on the front Bimini frame as possible. This positioning ensures that the front sport arms are as close to vertical and perpendicular to the top rail as possible, maximizing the added strength to the top.
Obstruction Accommodation: The installation process accounts for potential obstructions on the boat, such as doors or furniture. Users are advised to start the installation on the side with the obstruction and then match the opposite side, ensuring that the sport arms do not interfere with other boat components.
Visual Indicators for Installation: The manual provides clear instructions for marking locations with non-permanent markers to ensure accurate placement of components like the H-bracket and locking plate. White lines in the diagrams indicate where marking is required.
Safety Warnings: The manual includes prominent safety warnings to guide users on safe operation. These warnings advise against operating the top while the boat is in motion, exceeding 25 MPH without the boot properly installed, opening the top in excessively high winds, trailering/towing the boat without the boot on and the top in the full down position, and opening the top without the canvas installed. It also warns against removing the boot with the Bimini frame in radar position, as the rear frame could fall.
Troubleshooting Guide: A comprehensive troubleshooting section helps users diagnose and resolve common issues, such as the swivel barrel not securing or releasing, the front sport arm not staying secured, or not reaching the hinge assembly. This guide provides potential causes (e.g., debris, damaged parts, Bimini top not fully open) and corresponding solutions (e.g., remove debris, replace parts, fully open Bimini top).

Maintenance Features

Maintaining the SureShade Power Bimini Sport Arm Kit is straightforward, focusing on cleanliness and inspection to ensure longevity and proper function:

Regular Cleaning: Users are instructed to use a soft bristle brush to clean dirt and debris from the pivot points on the H-bracket and hinge assembly. This prevents accumulation that could impede movement or cause wear.
Wiping Down Sport Arms: The front sport arms should be wiped clean with a soft, water-dampened cloth. For stubborn dirt or stains, a mild detergent can be used, followed by a rinse with clean water to remove any detergent residue.
Inspection: Although not explicitly detailed as a maintenance feature, the troubleshooting guide implicitly encourages regular inspection of components like the swivel barrel, locking plate, hinge assembly, and EZ clips for damage or wear. Identifying and addressing issues like damaged springs or worn clips promptly can prevent operational problems and extend the life of the kit.

The SureShade Power Bimini Sport Arm Kit is designed to be a reliable and user-friendly addition to any boat equipped with a SureShade Power Bimini top, offering enhanced stability and peace of mind during various boating conditions.