Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this detailed step-by-step tutorial, Eric from Sailrite walks you through the complete process of building a custom 2-bow bimini top that fits directly to a radar arch.
Most Sailrite bimini tutorials sew the panels with a seam running starboard to port across the bows. In this video, we take a different approach: we run a single seam bow-to-stern. This technique produces a noticeably smoother, less wrinkled finished top. Because the center bow sits level with the others (no raised center bow), we also skip the usual pleats on the skirt edges, simplifying the build even further.
Adding a Zipper to Awning Rope - 0:55
Pre-Tensioning Frame - 2:37
Patterning - 6:38
Preparing Pattern - 15:20
Sewing Canvas Together (seam bow to stern) - 19:31
Cutting Out Canvas - 23:42
Marking the Intermediate Pocket Location - 26:58
Reinforcing Skirt Edges - 28:59
Creating an Aft Zippered Pocket - 31:53
Creating an Intermediate Zippered Pocket - 41:58
Making Hang Down Tail - 49:28
Sewing Tail & Aft Zipper Pocket to Top - 50:45
Front Flange & Zipper Placement - 1:00:42
Shrinking Up Zipper at Curves - 1:06:11
Sewing Binding on Skirt Edges - 1:12:36
Adding Xtreme Seal - 1:14:22
Installing Snap on Pocket Ends - 1:15:46
Installing Snaps on Radar Arch - 1:18:51
Adding Zippers for Enclosure Panels - 1:22:06
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbM539i4biUDbQ9BaG38tOgrVeEv7BRH&si=tECE7HaYS9cCkc4V
MATERIALS LIST:
Awning Rope - sailrite.com/Keder-Awning-Rope-Black-5-16
Seamstick 3/8" - sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-8-for-Canvas-60-Yds
#10 Separating Zipper - sailrite.com/Lenzip-10-Black-Separating-Molded-Tooth-Zipper-Metal-Single-Pull-Slider
Webbing - sailrite.com/1-White-Lightweight-Polyester-Webbing
Buckle - sailrite.com/YKK-Double-Side-Release-Break-Resistant-Buckle-Black
Strapping Tape - sailrite.com/3M-Filament-Strapping-Tape-3-4
Dura-Skrim - sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
Sattler Yachtmaster - sailrite.com/shop/fabric/marine-fabric?facet_popular_collection=Sattler+Yachtmaster
Thread - sailrite.com/shop/notions/thread?facet_brand=Bound&facet_thread_size=Tex+90+%28V-92%29
Binding - sailrite.com/shop/notions/trim/binding?facet_notions_material=Acrylic&facet_width=1%22
Seamstick 1/4" - sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-50-Yds
SNAPCAP - sailrite.com/YKK-SNAPCAP-Zipper-10-Black-Top-Stop-VISLON
Xtreme Seal - sailrite.com/Xtreme-Seal-Foam-Black
SnapRite Rivet - sailrite.com/Blind-Rivet-for-SnapRite-Surface-Mount-Stud-Die-Stainless-Steel
Snap Stud - sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Standard-Eyelet-Stud-Nickel-Plated-Key-C
Snap Button - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Button-Black-11-64-Barrel-Brass
Snap Socket - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Normal-Action-Socket-Black-Brass
Butyl Tape - sailrite.com/Trimmable-Butyl-Tape-3-4
Snap Screw Stud - sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Screw-Stud-3-8-8-15-Self-Tap-Nickel-Key-E
TOOLS LIST:
Ultrafeed® LSZ - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine-110V
Tape Measure - sailrite.com/Tape-Measure-120-Inch
Scissors - sailrite.com/Stainless-Steel-9-Bent-Handle-Scissors
Patterning Ruler - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Grip Clips - sailrite.com/Large-Fabric-Leather-Grip-Clips
Magnetic Guide - sailrite.com/Deluxe-5-1-2-Magnetic-Sewing-Guide
Pins - sailrite.com/Glass-Head-Pins-1-7-8-100-pack
Chalk Pencil - sailrite.com/Marking-Chalk-Cartridge-for-Fabrics
Acrylic Ruler - sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
Cordless Hotknife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Cordless-Hotknife-18V-Package
Precision Blade & Foot - sailrite.com/Precision-Cutting-Blade-Foot-for-Hotknives
Gauge Ruler - sailrite.com/Sewing-Gauge-Ruler-6
Seam Ripper - sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Awl - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Scratch-Awl
Binder - sailrite.com/Binder-1-Swing-Bracket
SnapRite® Stud Die - sailrite.com/SnapRite-Surface-Mount-Stud-Die
Rivet Tool - sailrite.com/Surebonder-8550-Professional-Heavy-Duty-Rivet-Tool
HandySnap Tool - sailrite.com/HandySnap-Installation-Tool
GENERAL MATERIALS QUANTITY LIST FOR BIMINI TOP 2-BOW TO RADAR ARCH:
Awning Rope - 12 feet
Seamstick 3/8" - 1 roll
#10 Separating Zipper - 4
Webbing - 30 feet
Buckle - 1 each
Strapping Tape - 1 roll
Dura-Skrim - 10 yards
Sattler Yachtmaster - 8 to 10 yards
Thread - 1 cone
Binding - 25 feet
Seamstick 1/4" - 1 roll
SNAPCAP - 6 each
Xtreme Seal - 12 feet
SnapRite Rivet - 2 each
Snap Stud - 2 each
Snap Button - 10 each
Snap Socket - 10 each
Butyl Tape - 1 roll
Snap Screw Stud - 8 each
In this detailed step-by-step tutorial, Eric from Sailrite walks you through the complete process of building a custom 2-bow bimini top that fits directly to a radar arch.
Most Sailrite bimini tutorials sew the panels with a seam running starboard to port across the bows. In this video, we take a different approach: we run a single seam bow-to-stern. This technique produces a noticeably smoother, less wrinkled finished top. Because the center bow sits level with the others (no raised center bow), we also skip the usual pleats on the skirt edges, simplifying the build even further.
Adding a Zipper to Awning Rope - 0:55
Pre-Tensioning Frame - 2:37
Patterning - 6:38
Preparing Pattern - 15:20
Sewing Canvas Together (seam bow to stern) - 19:31
Cutting Out Canvas - 23:42
Marking the Intermediate Pocket Location - 26:58
Reinforcing Skirt Edges - 28:59
Creating an Aft Zippered Pocket - 31:53
Creating an Intermediate Zippered Pocket - 41:58
Making Hang Down Tail - 49:28
Sewing Tail & Aft Zipper Pocket to Top - 50:45
Front Flange & Zipper Placement - 1:00:42
Shrinking Up Zipper at Curves - 1:06:11
Sewing Binding on Skirt Edges - 1:12:36
Adding Xtreme Seal - 1:14:22
Installing Snap on Pocket Ends - 1:15:46
Installing Snaps on Radar Arch - 1:18:51
Adding Zippers for Enclosure Panels - 1:22:06
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbM539i4biUDbQ9BaG38tOgrVeEv7BRH&si=tECE7HaYS9cCkc4V
MATERIALS LIST:
Awning Rope - sailrite.com/Keder-Awning-Rope-Black-5-16
Seamstick 3/8" - sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-8-for-Canvas-60-Yds
#10 Separating Zipper - sailrite.com/Lenzip-10-Black-Separating-Molded-Tooth-Zipper-Metal-Single-Pull-Slider
Webbing - sailrite.com/1-White-Lightweight-Polyester-Webbing
Buckle - sailrite.com/YKK-Double-Side-Release-Break-Resistant-Buckle-Black
Strapping Tape - sailrite.com/3M-Filament-Strapping-Tape-3-4
Dura-Skrim - sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
Sattler Yachtmaster - sailrite.com/shop/fabric/marine-fabric?facet_popular_collection=Sattler+Yachtmaster
Thread - sailrite.com/shop/notions/thread?facet_brand=Bound&facet_thread_size=Tex+90+%28V-92%29
Binding - sailrite.com/shop/notions/trim/binding?facet_notions_material=Acrylic&facet_width=1%22
Seamstick 1/4" - sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-50-Yds
SNAPCAP - sailrite.com/YKK-SNAPCAP-Zipper-10-Black-Top-Stop-VISLON
Xtreme Seal - sailrite.com/Xtreme-Seal-Foam-Black
SnapRite Rivet - sailrite.com/Blind-Rivet-for-SnapRite-Surface-Mount-Stud-Die-Stainless-Steel
Snap Stud - sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Standard-Eyelet-Stud-Nickel-Plated-Key-C
Snap Button - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Button-Black-11-64-Barrel-Brass
Snap Socket - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Normal-Action-Socket-Black-Brass
Butyl Tape - sailrite.com/Trimmable-Butyl-Tape-3-4
Snap Screw Stud - sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Screw-Stud-3-8-8-15-Self-Tap-Nickel-Key-E
TOOLS LIST:
Ultrafeed® LSZ - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine-110V
Tape Measure - sailrite.com/Tape-Measure-120-Inch
Scissors - sailrite.com/Stainless-Steel-9-Bent-Handle-Scissors
Patterning Ruler - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Grip Clips - sailrite.com/Large-Fabric-Leather-Grip-Clips
Magnetic Guide - sailrite.com/Deluxe-5-1-2-Magnetic-Sewing-Guide
Pins - sailrite.com/Glass-Head-Pins-1-7-8-100-pack
Chalk Pencil - sailrite.com/Marking-Chalk-Cartridge-for-Fabrics
Acrylic Ruler - sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
Cordless Hotknife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Cordless-Hotknife-18V-Package
Precision Blade & Foot - sailrite.com/Precision-Cutting-Blade-Foot-for-Hotknives
Gauge Ruler - sailrite.com/Sewing-Gauge-Ruler-6
Seam Ripper - sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Awl - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Scratch-Awl
Binder - sailrite.com/Binder-1-Swing-Bracket
SnapRite® Stud Die - sailrite.com/SnapRite-Surface-Mount-Stud-Die
Rivet Tool - sailrite.com/Surebonder-8550-Professional-Heavy-Duty-Rivet-Tool
HandySnap Tool - sailrite.com/HandySnap-Installation-Tool
GENERAL MATERIALS QUANTITY LIST FOR BIMINI TOP 2-BOW TO RADAR ARCH:
Awning Rope - 12 feet
Seamstick 3/8" - 1 roll
#10 Separating Zipper - 4
Webbing - 30 feet
Buckle - 1 each
Strapping Tape - 1 roll
Dura-Skrim - 10 yards
Sattler Yachtmaster - 8 to 10 yards
Thread - 1 cone
Binding - 25 feet
Seamstick 1/4" - 1 roll
SNAPCAP - 6 each
Xtreme Seal - 12 feet
SnapRite Rivet - 2 each
Snap Stud - 2 each
Snap Button - 10 each
Snap Socket - 10 each
Butyl Tape - 1 roll
Snap Screw Stud - 8 each
