Joel, I think all of your questions were addressed during the design stage as requirements prior to building, plus several more. Close ups of various components within the top are not available at this time as numerous revisions have been made & will continue to be made before I make this available to the public.
Weight: Around 60 lbs. but is coming down, first one is overbuilt, I really think I could stand on top of it.
Lifting: One person can lower/lift from inside the boat
Supports: Typical bimini uses 7/8" aluminium tubing, deluxe biminis use 7/8" stainless with one attach point on the deck. I have (4) attach points with (2) additional supports from heavy wall 1" stainless with quick release fittings.
Construction: Single molded FRP sandwich with foam core
Lay-Down: Lays down over the motor box with short legs contacting the deck providing 1" clearance from all upholstery, My stock canvass cover fits when laid down barely reaching the underside of the rubrail near the top.
Wiring is designed to run up the tubes.
During the testing phase of the current prototype there was less side to side "racking" than a fabric bimini when crossing wakes, has sustained 70mph when "up" trailering.
Cost can be determined after all the revisions have been made & another one is built tracking costs...you really don't want to know how much this one has cost to date.
This project is under cover probably for most of the winter while "paying" customers projects occupy my shop....RonT
