Dowco FISHINI User manual

142780-00 | 03/181
FISHINI BIMINI TOP INSTALLATION
TOOLS NEEDED
HARDWARE NEEDED - ALL INCLUDED IN HARDWARE KIT
• Drill
• #2 phillips screwdriver or bit for drill
• Clear-drying silicone (recommended)
• 7/16 open-ended wrench
• Tape measure
• Tape you can write on
• Marker
• Countersink bit for drill (for fiberglass boats only)
• 9/32 drill bit (for bolting hardware to deck)
• 7/32 (or 15/64) drill bit (for screwing hardware to deck)
• 9/64 drill bit (for installation of eye straps)
• Paper towel (for cleaning off excess silicone)
• Blue Loctite® (recommended)
• (4) #14 x 1½” flat-head sheet metal screws
• (4) 1/4" - 20 x 1½” flat-head machine screws
• (4) 1/4" - 20 x 2” flat-head screws
• (4) 1/4" - 20 nylon nuts
• (4) fender washers
• (2) rifle straps
• (6) Dowcolok deck buttons
• (2) eye straps
• (4) #10 x 1/2” long oval head sheet metal screws (windshield mount)
• (4) #10 x 1” long oval head sheet metal screws (console mount)
• (4) Black nylon washers
NOTE
SOME LUND, CRESTLINER, AND
TRACKER WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT
HARDWARE SET.
CAUTION
THE FISHINI TOP IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE TRAILERED IN THE DEPLOYED POSITION. THE LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DAMAGED
CAUSED BY TRAILERING.
NOTE
WHEN DRILLING INTO FIBERGLASS,
REVERSE DRILL UNTIL YOU GET
THROUGH GEL COAT.
WARNING
GOING FULL SPEED WITH THE
MOTOR MAY DAMAGE THE TOP
WHEN TOP IS IN THE RADAR
ARCH POSITION.
It is very important to read and understand these installation instructions, before you begin to install your Fishini top. If you have any
questions about this process, and need clarification please contact Dowco at 800-404-5252.

142780-00 | 03/182
STEP 1
Apply strips of tape to inside mounting surface of gunnel. Be generous and use multiple rows of tape.
STEP 2
Determine preferred coverage area. It is important to determine the desired location of the fishini prior to drilling into your boat. The fishini
offers 54” of coverage area. The main bow mounting point is approximately 47” a of the desired location of the forward bow crown.
DETERMINING MOUNTING LOCATION
The fishini is intended to be mounted on the inside of the gunnel. This will allow you to fold the frame up and rest it on the a platform in front of the
motor. You will be using your markable tape, marker, and tape measure for this step.
STEP 3
Mark deck button location on tape. The location will be 47" a of forward bow crown (as shown above) and 1” below top of gunnel. The 1”
measurement may vary. The deck button should be mounted on a flat surface.
STEP 4
Aer the desired coverage area is established, it is important to fold the frame and rest it on the back platform of the boat to make sure it
does not interfere with the motor. The crown of the frame is 68-1/2” from the main bow mounting point.
MAIN BOW MOUNTING POINT
47 INCHES
54 INCHES
68.5 INCHES
FORWARD BOW CROWN
MAIN BOW MOUNTING POINT
MOTOR
FRAME CROWN

142780-00 | 03/183
WHEN USING THE 1/4 - 20 HARDWARE:
STEP 1
Use the drill and the 9/32 drill bit to drill the hole in the marked location on the tape. Drill through the tape. If drilling through fiberglass,
reverse drill until you get through the gel coat, make sure to countersink the hole aerward. This will prevent the gel coat from cracking
when installing the deck buttons.
STEP 2
Remove the tape.
STEP 3
Apply silicone to surface of black washer that will contact the boat. This will help seal the hole so that water cannot penetrate
(recommended, but not required).
STEP 4
Install one (or two stacked) deck buttons and install using the 1/4"-20 x 1-1/2” bolt (or 2" bolt), black nylon washer, 1/4"-20 nylock nut and
fender washer. Use the 7/16 open end wrench and the phillips screwdriver or drill with phillips driver.
STEP 5
If you used silicone, wash off extra silicone once deck button is fully installed.
STEP 6
Same procedure for other main bow mount.
STEP 7
Use 1/4" - 20 x 2" if 1½" bolts are too short (recommended to be used when you don't have access to the back mounting area).
WHEN USING THE #14 SCREW:
STEP 1
Start by using the drill and the 7/32 drill bit to drill the hole in the marked location on the tape. Drill through the tape. If drilling through
fiberglass, reverse drill until you get through the gel coat, make sure to countersink the hole aerward. This will prevent the gel coat from
cracking when installing the deck buttons.
STEP 2
Remove the tape.
STEP 3
Attempt to drive the #14 screw. If it extremely difficult to run the screw, back the screw out and use the 15/64 drill bit to ream the hole.
STEP 4
Apply silicone to surface of black washer that will contact the boat. This will help seal the hole so that water cannot penetrate
(recommended, but not required).
STEP 5
Install deck button using the #14 screw and black nylon washer. Use the drill with phillips driver. A phillips screwdriver by itself may be
difficult to drive the screw. The drill is recommended.
STEP 6
If you used silicone, wash off extra silicone once deck button is fully installed.
STEP 7
Same procedure for other main bow mount.
DRILLING HOLES FOR MAIN BOW HARDWARE MOUNT
Once the main bow mounting location has been marked, it is time to drill. Prior to drilling, it will be important to determine your mounting hardware.
It is preferred that you use the 1/4"-20 bolt, nut, and washer to mount the deck button. However, you may not have access to the inside of your
gunnel. If you do not have access, you will use the #14 screw. WARNING - CHECK FOR WIRES, CABLES, HOSES, PRIOR TO DRILLING.
▷ ▷
▷ ▷

142780-00 | 03/184
DETERMINE HOLDDOWN ARM MOUNTING LOCATION
Now that the main bow mounts have been installed, we will need to connect the main bow of the frame to the mounts and deploy the top. Our goal
is to position the top so that it is either level or pitched forward slightly to allow for water run-off. The dimensions shown below are for reference only
and may not match your desired dimensions.
STEP 1
Apply tape to the top of the gunnel 55-65" forward of the main bow mount. The hold-down arms will be mounted on top of the gunnel and
NOT inside-mounted like the main bow mount.
STEP 2
Use the hold-down arms to position the fishini top so it is either level or pitched forward slightly.
STEP 3
Mark the location of the hold-down arm hinge on the tape using the marker. It is important to make sure that the hold-down arm will not
interfere with opening or closing your windshield
The hold-down arm hinge mounting locations should be the same for both the port and starboard sides.
WHEN USING THE 1/4"20 HARDWARE:
STEP 1
Use the drill and the 9/32 drill bit to drill the hole in the marked location on the tape. Drill through the tape. If drilling through fiberglass,
reverse drill until you get through the gel coat, make sure to countersink the hole aerward. This will prevent the gel coat from cracking
when installing the deck buttons.
STEP 2
Remove the tape.
STEP 3
Apply silicone to surface of black washer that will contact the boat. This will help seal the hole so that water cannot penetrate
(recommended, but not required).
▷ ▷
DRILLING HOLES FOR HOLDDOWN ARM HARDWARE MOUNT
Once the hold-down arm mounting location has been marked, it is time to drill. Prior to drilling, it will be important to determine your mounting
hardware. It is preferred that you use the ¼-20 bolt, nut, and washer to mount the deck button. However, you may not have access to the inside of
your gunnel. If you do not have access, you will use the #14 screw. WARNING - CHECK FOR WIRES, CABLES, HOSES, PRIOR TO DRILLING.
NOTE
EXCEPT FOR LUND, CRESTLINER, OR TRACKER
55 - 65 INCHES
75 INCHES75 INCHES

142780-00 | 03/185
MOUNTING EYE STRAPS TO WINDSHIELD FOR STABILIZER STRAPS
Now that we have the frame installed, it is important to stabilize the frame. This will prevent the frame from swaying from side to side when underway.
For this step you will need (2) eye straps, (4) #10 x ½” longoval head sheet metal screws, a drill, 9/64 drill bit, and Blue Loctite®, and (2) rifle straps.
The eye straps will be installed on both sides of the walk-thru window, not on the walk-thru itself.
EYE STRAP
#10 X 1/2" SCREW
STEP 4
Install deck button using the 1/4"-20 x 1-1/2” (or 2") black washer, 1/4"-20 nylock nut and fender washer. Use the 7/16 open end wrench
and the phillips screwdriver or drill with phillips driver.
STEP 5
If you used silicone, wash off extra silicone once deck button is fully installed.
STEP 6
Same procedure for other hold-down arm mount.
WHEN USING THE #14 SCREW:
STEP 1
Start by using the drill and the 7/32 drill bit to drill the hole in the marked location on the tape. Drill through the tape. If drilling through
fiberglass, reverse drill until you get through the gel coat, make sure to countersink the hole aerward. This will prevent the gel coat from
cracking when installing the deck buttons.
STEP 2
Remove the tape.
STEP 3
Attempt to drive the #14 screw. If it extremely difficult to run the screw, back the screw out and use the 15/64 drill bit to ream the hole.
STEP 4
Apply silicone to surface of black washer that will contact the boat. This will help seal the hole so that water cannot penetrate
(recommended, but not required).
STEP 5
Install deck button using the #14 screw and black nylon washer. Use the drill with phillips driver. A phillips screwdriver by itself may be
difficult to drive the screw. The drill is recommended.
STEP 6
If you used silicone, wash off extra silicone once deck button is fully installed.
STEP 7
Same procedure for other hold-down arm mount.
▷ ▷

142780-00 | 03/186
STEP 1
Take eye strap and hold it up to the inside frame of the windshield.
Remember that there is glass inside the aluminum frame. The eye strap
needs to be high up on the aluminum channel to avoid the glass.
STEP 2
Carefully drill one hole using the 9/64 drill bit per the desired location
of the eye strap. DRILL ONLY THROUGH THE METAL FRAME OF THE
WINDSHIELD FACING YOU, NOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
STEP 3
Using the #10 x 1/2” long screw, add Blue Loctite®to threads and
secure the eye strap to the aluminum frame of the windshield.
STEP 4
Position the eye strap, then drill second hole, using the 9/64 drill bit.
STEP 5
Install 2nd #10 screw in the new hole.
STEP 6
Repeat first (5) steps on other side of walk-thru.
STEP 7
Attach rifle straps to D-rings on frame by hold-down arm.
STEP 8
Attach other end of rifle strap to the newly-installed eye straps.
If you are mounting the eye strap to something other than the windshield frame, use the #10 x 1” long oval head sheet metal screws
(included in the hardware kit).
YOU HAVE NOW SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE INSTALL OF YOUR FISHINI TOP!
EYE STRAP D-RING
FISHING ROD STORAGE
Your Fishini top may have an overhead fishing rod storage system. Locate the four elastic loops , and four at the front, to store a fishing rod,
insert the rod handle end into the elastic loop at the front of the top. Unfasten the velcro loop at the back, place the rod against the top and
secure the velcro strap. Your fishing rod will stay secure, stored under the top, until your ready to use again.

142780-00 | 03/187
Once all the arms are connected to the buttons, straighten the frame out but do not lock in the twist-lok hinges. Take the mesh Fishini Pocket
and connect the clips through he openings around the frame (Fig. 1). Do this to all four clips. This step is easier to do before the two bars are
hinged.
Now lock the two twist-lok hinges in the frame arms (Fig. 2). Push up onto the two bars until they click. Now tighten the clips on all four mesh
pockets. Once tight tuck in the end of the strap into the Fishini Top (Fig. 3).
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3