Bimini top question

[Tex60]

Ok I see they make tops for bow rider runabouts. How fast can you go before you need to take the top down?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Bimini top question

I installed mine on my current bass boat such that it is between the front and rear seat pedestals...i.e. I can bass fish with it up and the interior seating area (bench seat) is covered. I have run 45 mph with mine up. They need to be properly secured fore and aft and the straps need to be goot-en-tite. To help with lateral stability, when I installed it, I put the strap anchor points outboard of the frame mounting slide as far as I could and still get them well secured to the deck. The "airfoil" will develop (a hump in it), but never had a problem other than sometimes the straps that are under the canvas and determine where the frame bows are may fall down the side (of the frame somewhat) because the airfoil relieves the pressure that is normally on them. No biggie, when you slow down just pull them back up where they were.

You said Bimini so I answered that with reference to a free standing top mounted on a frame and secured fore and aft with straps to the deck.

Years ago I had an 18' tri-hull bow rider with a walk through windshield to which a removable canvas top, which a bimini type frame was supporting, was attached. The airflow over the windshield kept the hump from forming that forms without a windshield (like on my bass boat) and that boat ran 40 mph with the top usually up durning the summer months.

HTH
Mark

 

[cokeman22]

Re: Bimini top question

i got about 40 with mine up never had a prob yet

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bimini top question

it shouldn't fail at recreational boat speeds, but running with it up too fast too often will shorten its life and reduce your boat's speed/efficiency. Most people who use them fold them up for long runs but don't worry about it for short runs or slower cruising speeds.

 

[Tex60]

Re: Bimini top question

Thanks guys for the responses. I would really like to find one of the ones that goes off the top edge of the walk through windshield but have not found anyone that sells a replacement but there are several of the ones that use a single mount point on each side with a strap that goes fore and aft on each side of the boat. My problem is I have a red headed wife with fair complexion she gets burned easily so I want to make sure she has some shade so she can enjoy herself also. Any one know of a manufacture of the off the top edge of the windshield type?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bimini top question

I've had mine up to about 50, had some room left on the throttle but the top does cause a lot of drag.

 

[jvigier]

Re: Bimini top question

Tex,

Consider weather also. Clam lake vs choppy sound with tidal winds right?

No magic number or speed, use your best judgement. Consider that canvas wears pretty quick (sun, stretching etc), the more stress you put on it, the sooner you will have to replace.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Bimini top question

Take a look at I-boats or Overton's, they have allot of tops for sale, might find what you need. Also, if price isn't to much of a concern, I'd go with one made from the sunbrella fabric, they last allot longer.

Red

 

[lugster84]

Re: Bimini top question

I ordered from overtons, sunbrella, approx $300, works great at any speed, I chose a a 3 bow type, on the width, I would try and mount on a horizontal surface, (measure gunwale to gunwale (correct nautical term?)). I also bought the poles for the back for the "radar arch" look Literally takes 30 seconds to take cover off of bimini top and put up top. if you measure and mount on horizontal surface and you go with the radar arch approach, you can get quick release mounts to go under low bridges or underpasses. Overtons sells tons of different mounting hardware, even mounts that go on existing windshields, just cut the tubes for appropriate height. I can't even tell you how "cool" (literally) it has been since I did it 4 years ago, like a new boat on the real hot days, much recommended purchase.