Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

8

85 Champ

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 12, 2010
Messages
44
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

jkust is right, with my top you cant just roll it back when driving and then pop it back out when you stop for some chillaxin. It doesnt have the accordion style folding action that the normal ones do, much less anything to secure it down if you did try and roll the fabric over itself. You would have to take it completely down and store it and then put it back up each time.

Im starting to consider upgrading to the taller normal bimini. I dont really want to risk messing up my boat leaving the top up, and I really dont want to have to screw around putting it up and taking it down a whole bunch.
 
coastalrichard

coastalrichard

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
1,255
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

85 Champ said:
jkust is right, with my top you cant just roll it back when driving and then pop it back out when you stop for some chillaxin. It doesnt have the accordion style folding action that the normal ones do, much less anything to secure it down if you did try and roll the fabric over itself. You would have to take it completely down and store it and then put it back up each time.

Im starting to consider upgrading to the taller normal bimini. I dont really want to risk messing up my boat leaving the top up, and I really dont want to have to screw around putting it up and taking it down a whole bunch.
Click to expand...

Ditch that kini and get a real bimini!
 
M

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

Mine is not as tall as the one in the pic you showed, so it has a lower wind profile thus this may not be same-same comparison. It is very taut when deployed and can take full speed of 48+ no problem. I put it up every time we go out and never even think about it until time to pack it all in.
 
A

Apadilla

Cadet
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
10
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

i have the same boat and when down the bimini just lays on son pad. thinking of getting adjustable poles to keep it up.
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

My bimini came with a note warning not to operate the craft over 35mph with the top deployed.
Click to expand...

My Westland Bimini's note said under 45mph.

At that speed the issue become the extra drag (and Lift!) that 6 foot "Parachute" is creating!
 
8

85 Champ

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 12, 2010
Messages
44
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

This Top is listed as being 36" tall, i wonder if that is the height when deployed or folded up? Im trying to decide if this will fit nice and neat in my bimini storage compartment behind the engine bay. Maybe I should contact iboats about that.... does anyone here work for iboats?
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Driving boat w/convertible bimini top up?

85 Champ said:
This Top is listed as being 36" tall, i wonder if that is the height when deployed or folded up? Im trying to decide if this will fit nice and neat in my bimini storage compartment behind the engine bay. Maybe I should contact iboats about that.... does anyone here work for iboats?
Click to expand...

36" is the height above the mounting points. (gunwale).
The frame mounts at an angle, so its length is longer than 36.
Likely closer to 4 ft.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top