Bimini Top Sways Too Much

[pburchett]

Just bought a new bimini top for my boat and installed it. I even went the extra distance and installed bimini support poles on he rear so I would not have to lay the top down while traveling on the road or the lake. Dang, I was so proud. It looked good, and the temperature in the cockpit was a lot cooler than being out in the full sun. Pulled the boat to the lake and there was some side to side movement of the top. All fine so far. Got to the lake and the top rocks side to side very bad (especially when encountering another boat’s wake) that it looks like it is going to come off the boat. Thought about installing another (lateral) support pole perpendicular to the bimini to reduce side to side movement, but there is only 1.5 inches from the leg to the boat side so regular bimini hardware would probably not work. Thought about a lot of other things to fix the problem (including throwing it over board) but none seem to pan out. Can anyone suggest a fix for this problem? Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[Beernutz]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

Don't know what kind of boat you have. On my center console boats, I attach two more straps to the front bow, about a foot or so each side of center. Install a clip on the other end of them. Pull them together in a "V" at the bottom, and clip them to an eye that you attach on the centerline of the boat below the front bow.<br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

should be mounting straps to help stabalize. I don't think I would trailer with the top up, though. Trailering will ruin the cover -- think you might be lucky the wind didn't take the whole assembly off (or maybe unlucky, if you're not happy with it -- and your auto ins comprehensive might have kicked in. On second thought, maybe you should put it up and pull the boat as fast as you can.)<br /><br />Hey -- Good Luck. They are nice to have on a hot day.

 

[pburchett]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

Thanks for the suggestions. It may help to see the boat and top. www.pburchett.8k.com

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

Pretty boat! The bimini sure looks like it's set up the way it should be, so maybe what you are experiencing is just a "feature" of a tall bimini. You might try making the fit tighter by moving up the sliding supports under the top (front and rear) -- might add rigidity and make the whole unit a little more stable. You could also try crossing the front straps to see if that makes it more stable side-to-side.

 

[Beernutz]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

Nice looking boat! OB is right, the only way to stop sway is by triangulation. My method would interfere with your walk-thru windshield. Crossing front straps tends to bunch the top together in the middle, though. You need to find some say to pull both sides toward the middle. Maybe additional attachments at the top of the windshield on each side of the walk-thru?

 

[Craigw]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

The bimini support poles need to be moved I had the same problem, 1st they are to straight they need to be at a sharper angle 45 degrees or so and 2nd they should be on the top of the boat behind that black skidplate. Thats how I fixed mine.

 

[Beernutz]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

My configuration is similar to yours. My rear support poles are nearly verticle, and the method I described earlier completely eliminates all sway. Boston Whaler has used this system for well over ten years.

 

[Beernutz]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

Let me try to explain this a little better. As long as your bimini supports and straps on each side are in verticle planes that are parallel to the centerline of your boat, you will never achieve any lateral stability. You could improve it somewhat by moving the lower mounts of the rear supports inward onto the gunwales, but the setup wouldn't look as clean as it does now.<br /><br />Is that any clearer?

 

[mom]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

I think you need more of an angle in both the rear poles and the front straps. As mentioned previously, 45 degrees or so. Looks too upright as is. If you don't want to patch holes, try just adding two more eyes for the front straps, way forward. I've read that the more forward you can get those, the more stable the top. That's from websweeper.com installation tips. They sell biminis.

 

[pburchett]

Re: Bimini Top Sways Too Much

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I can now fix my problem. Each and every one of you are great.<br /><br />Thanks<br />PBurchett