Can I tow with my bimini top up?

[lazypp]

My wife was quite upset with me tonight, as I chose to trailer the boat home with the bimini top still up (about 30 minutes drive time). The boat is a 2004 Ebbtide 210 Campione deck boat, with a 5.0 Gxi. The bimini, I must confess, is quite long...probably 10 feet or so. I stayed around 50 mph and it looks like it worked fine. I told my wife the boat does almost 50 mph on the water, so it can't be much different on the highway at 50 mph.
So am I an idiot, or should my wife concede to my superior brilliance?

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

When you're on the water and the bimini's about to tear off, maybe you can notice it in time. Plus, when it tears off on the water, it's not going to cause a multi-car pileup.

Have to side with the wife on this one.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Can you fold it back and just leave the frame attached to the boat so the canopy section is not opened. I can and do sometimes but normally lay it down.

 

[asm_]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Hmmmm... I see your point, if your boat can do 50MPH on water, its bimini top should hold when going down the highway at 50MPH. However, I think you forget to factor in the cost of additional gasoline needed to tow your boat with bimini opened.

I say take it down, there is not need to tow your boat with air brake deployed.

B

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

also on the water you aren't dealing with the turbulence and buffeting of the tow vehicle or the blast of wind you get from a passing semi..... fold it back and tie it up..... you aren't an idiot but you may be a bit lazy

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

LOL I JUST saw your name .... lazy..... HA!

 

[burp]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

One more thing to consider........with the bimini up, it's height has got to be considered when towing around overhangs and tree limbs.

I'll side with the wife on this one.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

I've been on vacation for the last two weeks towed my boat to and from the lake 6 times and the top has been deployed the whole time, no highway just back roads and the top snaps to the windshield it's covertible not a full bimini.
anyhow, it seems to run under the draft of my grandcherokee, when I look back the top looks like it isn't even in any wind.

 

[cribber]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

We have about 10 minutes of idle wake time getting back to the ramp so we use that time to button up the bimini top and put things away. One less thing to do when I get home after a fun day out!!!

 

[KC4YIN]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Have you ever seen anyone else towing their boat down the road with the bimini up???
Give your wife my regards!

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

When I had my top made at a local canvas shop, the guy told me that the top would probably do fine at 55mph but a semi going the other way subjects the top to much higher speeds and it won't handle that. Says he sees it all the time - frames get twisted and zippers and snaps tear out.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Gotta say I am with your wife on this one .

 

[cr2k]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

ABSOLUTELY - POSITIVELY - FER SURE DUDE - GO FOR IT...


However your marriage and your Bimini won't last as long as you would like.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

its stamped on a sticker on my frame DO NOT TOW with bimini top in up position and it you leave the rolled up section in the folded it back position it says not to exceed 35 mph with boot cover installed

I always have mine covered with the boot cover and dropped to deck height when trailering.....even had the boot cover rip open at 60 mph, luckily didn't do too much damage to the top, but had to be resewed on the seams

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

You better have some pretty high liability insurance coverage limits, as you'd be held responsible for any damages to persons and property should that top get torn off your boat and cause a massive traffic crash. Guess who'd be held responsible?
Yup, you.

 

[jkust]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Yes there is a warning sewed into the top displaying the max speed. I won't even go 40mph on a windy day driving the boat with the top up. I say if money or the time needed to replace it aren't scarce to you, keep on doing it (ignoring the liability issues mentioned). I can take the bimini down, put the boot around it and put it in the engine compartment storage location in a few minutes so no need to leave it on. Much easier and cheaper than a custom made replacement.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Yes, but not for long. Low branches, wind gusts, A semi in the other lane, etc. will take it out. When it goes it will probably take out your windshield frame as well. The increased drag will waste more gas as you tow it until it gets ripped off.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

I tow mine to the local ramps around town with both bimini's up. Rarely more than five miles, rarely more than 45 mph.

 

[Sunking22]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

I agree with FL Richard - I tow my boat to and from the ramp and occasionally across town with it up but folded back and in the boot - never left folded out and never over 45mph or so.

 

[jwp]

Re: Can I tow with my bimini top up?

Take the ten minutes to stow it away - it's not worth causing an accident on the highway should it come off and cause an accident