bimini top shimmies on the road

[lrat4]

I bought an aftermarket bimini top (Westland) and two aluminum rear brace poles to keep it out of the way when not in use. My question is when driving down the road or in the water (not using the bimini) it moves back and forth. Is this normal for all biminis or is there something else I can do to keep it more solid?

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: bimini top shimmies on the road

I bought an aftermarket bimini top (Westland) and two aluminum rear brace poles to keep it out of the way when not in use. My question is when driving down the road or in the water (not using the bimini) it moves back and forth. Is this normal for all biminis or is there something else I can do to keep it more solid?

When on the road with the bimini you should have it in the boot and fully down on the rear transom. I bungie mine down also to the middle ski loop to ensure it doesn't flop around.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: bimini top shimmies on the road

I have two biminis on my boat and they sway back and forth while towing (and also while boating). Mine are 10 years old and still in fine shape, so I can comfortably say that the swaying does not hurt them.


If you want to fix it anyway, add a diagonal brace, like the ones that come standard on Cobalt boats.

 

[rw99]

Re: bimini top shimmies on the road

...just be sure to check to see if the attachment bolts are backing out whenever you have this sort of shimmy or continued shaking. It can happen pretty quickly.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: bimini top shimmies on the road

I noticed this too. On mine it's the front mount that is causing the problem. ALmost appears to be the wrong style of mount. Hard to describe but it is mounted on the side of the hull and it looks like it's supposed to be mounted on a flat part parallel to the waterline. Not even sure that makes sense.

 

[lrat4]

Re: bimini top shimmies on the road

Appreciate the feedback. I do keep it in the boot while on the road, but it would be nice to set it up at the house before going to the lake. Can't have everything.

 

[blifsey]

Re: bimini top shimmies on the road

The way our top is mounted it will not lay down flat without rubbing top edges of boat hull. For towing, I use short support support poles that keep it about 4" off sunpad.

Before getting short supports I would tie rope in an "X" pattern from top outside corners of of frame to the bottom of frame at hull. The "X" would stop the side-to-side shimmy while towing the same way the cross-brace poles mentioned do.