SUNOOM Boat Bimini Top Swivel Hinge,316 Stainless Steel Deck Side Mount Quick Release Hinge,Marine Hardware Accessories,Include Screws, Pack of 2

Why I swapped to quick-release bimini hinges

Repeatedly dropping a bimini under a low bridge taught me how much time a hinge can waste—or save. I replaced the aging, pin-and-wing-nut deck mounts on my runabout with a pair of SUNOOM bimini quick-release hinges. After a season of use in mixed freshwater and occasional brackish conditions, I’ve got a clear sense of how these 316 stainless swivels perform in the real world and where they sit among the typical “marine grade” options.

Build and materials

These hinges are cast from 316 stainless and mirror polished. That matters. In daily use, 316 resists pitting and “tea staining” far better than 304 hardware, especially if you trailer near saltwater or store in a damp slip. The polish isn’t just cosmetic; it sheds grime and salt spray more readily, so rinses actually leave the hardware clean.

Each hinge consists of a deck-side base and a quick-release swivel that stays attached to the bimini frame. The base allows a full 360-degree pivot, so the fitting self-aligns to the angle of the supporting bow. The quick-release portion snaps into the base with a positive click and requires a deliberate press to detach, which keeps accidental disconnections at bay.

Key dimensions I verified:
- Overall length: 91 mm (3.6 in)
- Width: 29 mm (1.15 in)
- Height: 33 mm (1.28 in)
- Hole spacing: 63 mm (2.5 in), center-to-center

That 63 mm spacing is a common footprint, which made my swap straightforward. The hinges arrive as a pair and include mounting screws.

In hand, the parts feel appropriately heavy for their size, with precise casting and clean edges. The pivot action on mine was smooth out of the box with no gritty feel, and the quick-release detent engages with a firm snap. I didn’t detect slop or rattling at the joint once assembled.

Installation experience

If you’re replacing existing two-hole deck fittings, this is an easy afternoon job. Here’s how I approached it:

1. Dry-fit and mark holes. On one side, the hole spacing aligned perfectly with the old base; on the other, I needed to fill one old hole and drill a fresh one.
2. Drill pilot holes appropriate to your screws and substrate (I used #10 oval-head machine screws and through-bolted with fender washers inside the coaming).
3. Lightly countersink the gelcoat to prevent spider cracks.
4. Bed the base with a marine sealant (I used 3M 4000UV; it seals well and is removable later).
5. Snug the fasteners, align the hinge orientation, then final-tighten.

A note on flatness: the bases on my pair had a very slight crown from end to end—not enough to rock, but enough that bedding compound is essential to seal the edges. The sealant compressed and filled the gap without issue, and I ended up with a clean bead all around. If you normally dry-mount hardware without sealant (I don’t recommend that on deck), you’d see water seep under the ends.

The included screws are serviceable, but I prefer through-bolting on fiberglass with backing where I can reach; it’s simply more secure for the cyclical loads a bimini sees in chop. If you are fastening into aluminum or a thin coaming, consider rivnuts or wellnuts sized appropriately and check them periodically.

On-the-water performance

This is where these hinges shine. The quick-release action is simple and consistent: press, pull, done. I can pop the bimini free of the deck bases in seconds, lay it forward, and slide under a bridge without hunting for dropped pins or aligning fussy hardware in a bouncing boat. Reattachment is equally quick—line up, push until the click. The swivel absorbs whatever angle I give it, so there’s no binding.

Underway in light chop, the connection stayed tight with no chatter. I deliberately ran some beam seas to see if the hinges would groan or shift; they didn’t. The bimini frame flexed before the hinge did, which is exactly what I want to see. At rest, there’s no discernible play.

The mirror finish has held up. After several brackish outings and lazy rinses at the hose, I’ve seen no rust blooms or discoloration. A quick wipe restores the shine.

Fit and compatibility

• Footprint: The 63 mm hole spacing matched one set of my old bases exactly. If you’re upgrading from an OEM two-hole deck hinge, there’s a good chance this will drop in; measure your existing spacing to be sure.
• Frame interfaces: The quick-release half stays attached to your bimini bow. If your frame uses jaw slides or eye ends, you’ll move those over or clamp to the appropriate bracket—same workflow as typical deck hinges.
• Pack sizing: Each pack includes two hinges. For biminis with four deck mounts (common on longer frames with support struts), plan on two packs.

Quirks and cautions

• Flatness: As noted, the bases aren’t perfectly dead-flat. It’s minor, but it means bedding isn’t optional if you want a proper seal. The upside is a neat sealant line that looks pro and keeps water out of the core.
• Fastener choice: The supplied screws are fine for quick swaps, but I strongly recommend through-bolts and backing plates where accessible. If you must use screws into fiberglass, pick a screw length that maximizes thread engagement without risking punch-through, and recheck tightness after a few outings.
• Sealant selection: Avoid 5200 unless you never intend to remove these. A polysulfide or polyurethane like 4000UV or 4200 makes future service sane.
• Dissimilar metals: Stainless fittings on aluminum frames can encourage corrosion in salt environments. A dab of Tef-Gel on the fastener threads and a nylon washer or tape isolator at contact points goes a long way.
• Sand and grit: Any push-button or detent mechanism can get sticky if contaminated. A freshwater rinse and an occasional drop of silicone-safe lubricant keep the action smooth.

Maintenance notes

• Rinse with fresh water after salt exposure.
• Inspect the quick-release detent and pivot annually. If it ever feels sticky, clean and re-lube lightly with a dry-film or silicone-safe marine lubricant.
• Check fastener torque at the start and end of the season.
• If you store the bimini folded for long periods, leave the hinges disconnected to reduce point-loading on the deck bases.

How they compare to typical OEM hardware

Most factory deck hinges are either fixed-angle or limited-pivot stainless pieces that rely on clevis pins and wing nuts. Those work, but they’re slow and fussy in real-world conditions—especially if you’re managing the boat alone in wind or wake. The SUNOOM quick-release design eliminates the loose hardware and adds a full 360-degree swivel, which makes alignment essentially a non-issue. The 316 stainless and polish are on par with, or better than, a lot of OEM fittings I see on mid-market runabouts and pontoons.

What I’d improve

• I’d like to see the base machined perfectly flat. The current slight crown isn’t a deal-breaker, but a flat base would improve contact and reduce reliance on bedding to fill gaps.
• Including a small tube of bedding compound or clearer fastener guidance would help first-time installers choose the right approach. I’d also welcome optional through-bolt kits.

The bottom line

As a functional upgrade, these hinges pay for themselves in reduced fuss the first time you need to drop or raise the bimini quickly. The 316 stainless construction, mirror finish, and smooth, positive quick-release mechanism inspire confidence, and the 63 mm hole spacing makes them a practical replacement for many stock mounts. Installation is straightforward if you’re comfortable with basic drilling and sealing, and the only real quirk—the slightly crowned base—disappears once you bed the fitting properly.

Recommendation: I recommend the SUNOOM bimini quick-release hinges to anyone who regularly raises and lowers a bimini or is replacing worn deck mounts. They’re sturdy, genuinely faster to operate than pin-and-wing-nut hardware, and appropriately corrosion-resistant for marine use. If you can through-bolt and take the time to bed them right, you’ll end up with a clean, durable install that makes day-to-day boating easier.