Bimini Top

[BadMoJoe]

This will probably sound like a stupid question but here goes. I would like to get a Bimini top for my 18' Monterey and what I am wondering is when it is not in use where does fold down to? Will it be in the way? Again, sorry for the ignorance

 

[BadMoJoe]

Re: Bimini Top

I forgot to also ask:<br />What is a safe top speed when the top is in use?<br />Thanks<br /><br />Joe

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bimini Top

Joe - Most tops fasten to a bracket on top of the gunnel with straps going forward and aft. My bracket fits into a slide that allows the entire assembly to be slid aft. I have not seen many this way. The neat thing about this arrangement is that, when you put the top down, it does not present any kind of obstruceion.<br /><br />On the speed question - I have never seen that question come up and it should not be a problem I would think at speeds less than 60 mph and most recreational boats don't go that fast. I have seen boats flying down the turnpike at 70 mph with the top up. I have also seen a few at that speed with the canvas badly ripped flapping wildly away.

 

[Snailman]

Re: Bimini Top

Hey BadMoJoe....<br /><br />I bought a bimini for my 21' Cuddy last Summer and I love it but I've run into much the same question as you although to tell you the truth... when I'm under way I rarely if ever put the top down. <br /><br />I ordered a top that was probably too tall for my boat but I figured I could trim it down if it was too tall whereas trying to get it to grow would be a trickier problem. <br /><br />When I trailer my boat I collapse the bimini and slide it (it's on tracks on the gunwales) aft where I put straps around it (I don't have a boot for it) and lay it across the stern. <br /><br />I've had my boat up to 35mph in a stiff wind and even with the height of my bimini I haven't had any problems with it trying to fly away. It doesn't even seem to slow the boat down any either.<br /><br />It's a wonderful thing on a hot, sunny day! <br /><br />

<br /><br />There're more photos available by clicking on Snailman just above the U.S.P.S. logo.