Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

[Mark42]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

In all seriousness, by the time you walk out of a custom canvas shop with a wind break that does all you want, it will be cheaper to sell the boat and buy something else.

Additionally, a Bimini top will do very little to prevent wind buffeting. Add some side curtains and you will end up with a boat that either leans heavily with side winds, a top that flexes all over the place, and tie down straps going every which way. Not to mention that you will have one heck of a time making the boat go where you want it to with the wind pushing it somewhere else. Also note that most bimini top manufacturers specifically state that the top is not for use while under way. They are for use while drifting or anchored.

Conversly, a full width windshield with a Navy top (where the top attaches to the windshield like a convertible car) does a lot to block wind, like this one on my runabout:

Just a few things to think about.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Also note that most bimini top manufacturers specifically state that the top is not for use while under way. They are for use while drifting or anchored.

Actually, most bimini top ARE made to be used while under way, but most will tell you not to go over 40 or 45 MPH with the top up. Convers like anchor shades are meant only to be used while at anchor.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Actually, most bimini top ARE made to be used while under way, but most will tell you not to go over 40 or 45 MPH with the top up. Convers like anchor shades are meant only to be used while at anchor.

I don't like to argue, but 2 years ago when I was looking at Bimini tops, every major retailer specifically listed that the tops were not for use while under way. I am sure that 20mph will not make them fail, but unless you are talking about the shorty tops for ski boats, expect those tall tops to collapse. The frames just cannot take the stress and will kink and fold where the straps mount and other stress points.

This past summer, I do not recall any boats out on the bay with tops up while cruising.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

whatever... but i paid a ton of money on the stainless hardware so it won't collapse at speed. take a look at a bimini sometime, there is a lot of support for something that is only meant to use while at rest

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Apparently, someone forgot to tell these people!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Apparently, someone forgot to tell these people!!!!!!!!!

Very convincing evidence. But, I had to be sure, so I pointed my radar speed gun at each and every one of those photos, and guess what? Not one of those boats is actually moving! Not a one!

How do you explain that, smarty pants?



BTW, Overtons, a very large retailer of bimini tops lists in their FAQ about their tops
"How fast can I drive my boat with the bimini top up?
The manufacturer recommends that you not exceed 30 mph with the bimini top up. "

Here is the link. http://www.overtons.com/customerservice/biminitop.shtml

I was going to let this go with just busting your chops, but after thinking about it, I realized how irresponsible it is to tell people that they can run up to 40 or 45 mph with their tops up. One strap pops loose, one d ring breaks, one aluminum pole collapses (and yes, the vast majority are made from aluminum, not stainless steel) and their $200 investment is trash. I could find more cautions, but I'm not going to waste my time proving common sense and safe practices. And I'm sure you can post some links to heavy duty tops that claim they can handle high winds. Those would be the exceptions, not the common top

So stop telling the fine folks on this forum that it OK to do what the manufacturers say not to do.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Obviously, I did not anticipate, someone would own a "radar speed gun."

 

[Expidia]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

So far from what I've compiled from the feed back of ideas things are starting to shape up in my mind as to what I can do.

Here is what I'm thinking so far:

1. I've been using a $35 boat cover that I had from other boats that I bought at Walmart a few years ago. I park the boat outside, so I need to cover it when I'm not using it and I park it next to the garage over the winter so I've used this cover to keep the snow, water and ice off the boat I picked up a long section of pvc tubing at Home Depot a few months ago and cut it into thirds, attached round end caps to each piece and I place these 4 foot tubes into the empty seat post holders which keeps the cover high up to allow rain and snow to blow off.

But I also need to buy a "trailerable" cover because I want to keep the lockers dry so my stuff doesn't get soaked when it rains when I'm on the highway going to and from the lakes. Can't use the Wally cover for that. But for the price this silver Wally cover is very strong, thin and light. I'm on my third boat with this same cover!

I'm figuring I was going to have a canvas shop make one up anyway because a similar cover from Lund is about $350.

I'm now thinking I could have the shop make the cover a two piece one with a zipper, so I can use the front part to snap over the bow and snap onto the console below my windshield. This would stop any wind and rain from blowing at us thru the bow area.

The plywood suggestion caused me to think about the fact that I can install a removable stainless steel bar from the left side of the gunnel to the console. Now this would give support for a plastic sheet/window that could snap across the top of the bimini and could snap to the top of the windshield on my side and go to the floor on the left side attached by several snaps at the floor line where the casting deck rises up about 6 inches from the floor. The stainless steel bar would support attached somehow to the plastic window in the middle so it does not blow around or I could probably varnish and polycoat a piece of wood stock and the window could just snap onto that piece for added stability.

I could roll the window part up and roll the bow cover up and stow them both in a side locker when not needed.

Top end on my rig is only 30 mph anyway. If it was cool out I'd be going pretty slow anyway, cruising around 15-20 mph unless the waves kick up which knocks me back to 7-8 mph anyway.

This could work and I'd be killing two birds with one stone cause I need to have a shop make up a trailerable cover anyway. When I bought the boat I inquired about ordering the Lund cover and the dealer said it's cheaper to go and have one made up at a local shop. I can have them use the Burgundy Sunbrella fabric, so it will match the Bimini.

This could work for me and the only added expense besides fasteners would be the front window piece which would have to be made up.
I don't care about side windows, just stopping the wind from hitting the passenger while underway.

I'll hook up the boat and trailer it to a canvas shop over the next few days as the one I called said it would be better to see the rig to get an estimate of what I want done.

If they came in around $350 for all I'd be happy with that price. Since I would be paying at least $200 for the trailerable cover alone.

My whole bimini fro Overton's with the premium Sunbrella fabric was only $179! The Lund bimini at the dealer was something like $600 installed.

Ticks me off that Lund doesn't offer a full enclosure like some of their other model have. Probably not much call for it with a 15 foot boat. I actually only used the bimini twice for a shot time over the past two months.

I'll post pics if the canvas shops says it will work and I get it done.

On using a bimini while moving . . . my installation papers from Westland who makes the top I think recommended to stay below 30 mph I think. I don't have the paper at my fingertips right now.

I had questioned it myself as a few years ago I was on my Brother-in Laws older POS Dusky center console on the ocean off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. My Wife and I were sitting on the transom seat. He had the top up and doing about 40 mph into the wind. A strap broke and the top collapsed and slammed back just grazing the top of my Wife's head. Two inches lower and it would have killed her. This was a heavy stainless steel bimini too.

These newer bimini's are of a polyester fabric which is pretty strong. Much stronger than his rotted out and weathered canvas material that was on his boat. The new straps are also polyester and pretty strong. True the cheap aluminum poles could bend, but I doubt it staying below 30 mph.

From experience I would be leery about flying around with an old bimini with dried out canvas and old straps. But just cruising around at a "prudent" speed I see a lot of boats on the lakes I go on with their bimini's up on real hot days or if it's raining out while they are underway.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

I'm sure a good canvas shop can hook you up with something that will work and be pretty stoable when not in use. I live in utah and the weather here gets pretty wild sometimes. I have seen canvas enclosures for four wheelers (you would only need the front part) but I think it would be real similar to what you are planning(might be able to use as a bit of reference) and they can withstand speeds in the 25-30 range easily. I was even going to suggest an atv windshield attached to a plastic base which would be very similar to what you have but without the controls. Might be worth looking into the base could be grey plastic with a front and two small (short) sides to keep it stable with an atv windshield attached to the top of that. The windshields I have seen at cabellas for around 45.00 and the plastic base wouldn't be all that much either. I'm sure if you went to HD you could find some kind of hardware to mount it too the floor in such a way that it would be easily removeable. Just thinking outloud...

 

[Expidia]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

I'm sure a good canvas shop can hook you up with something that will work and be pretty stoable when not in use. I live in utah and the weather here gets pretty wild sometimes. I have seen canvas enclosures for four wheelers (you would only need the front part) but I think it would be real similar to what you are planning(might be able to use as a bit of reference) and they can withstand speeds in the 25-30 range easily. I was even going to suggest an atv windshield attached to a plastic base which would be very similar to what you have but without the controls. Might be worth looking into the base could be grey plastic with a front and two small (short) sides to keep it stable with an atv windshield attached to the top of that. The windshields I have seen at cabellas for around 45.00 and the plastic base wouldn't be all that much either. I'm sure if you went to HD you could find some kind of hardware to mount it too the floor in such a way that it would be easily removeable. Just thinking outloud...

Nice info here OW. Thanks. I checked out Cabelas and their ATV windshields are pretty cheap.

I'll get a quote from a canvas shop since it would be easier to store a plastic window onboard than another windshield.

But if the quotes too much, I might go your route for the cold days. I could get a bow cover made. Then fasten a black PVC tube to each side of the area to the left of my console and fasten an ATV windshield between the tubes. Those pictures also gave me ideas on how to fasten the shield to the tubes too.

Weather here is 80 degrees again, so I'm taking the day off on Fri and going trolling for Lake Trout on Lake George. I'll swing the boat by a canvas shop next week for a quote. Even if they can make a system up for me I don't think it would be ready for this season which is coming to a close way too fast. By the end of Sept I'm probably done boating. Sadly, the next time the boat sees water again will probably be 6-7 months away

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Obviously, I did not anticipate, someone would own a "radar speed gun."

Obviously, You just like posting advice that is incorrect or irrelevant to the topic just to see your own typing.

What is your address? I'm pretty sure you qualify for a brand new iboats brand forum trolling motor.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Obviously, You just like posting advice that is incorrect or irrelevant to the topic just to see your own typing.

What is your address? I'm pretty sure you qualify for a brand new iboats brand forum trolling motor.

Glad to know that I am the winner!!! Believe me there are much better ways to see my own typing. Besides, I was just trying to help a guy out with a better suggestion than sitting backwards, closing your eyes or putting a piece of plywood up to deflect the wind. If you feel the need to moderate than take issue with that type of insanity and leave my sage advice alone! Now run home and tell your mommy that you have been b*tch slapped, moron.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Besides, I was just trying to help a guy out with a better suggestion than sitting backwards, closing your eyes or putting a piece of plywood up to deflect the wind.

Problem was your suggestions were not better than the aforementioned
Please don't get upset and rage now, it isn't the time or the place. Take it to PM if you need to discuss this with me more this thread is already way off topic.

 

[cmcpherson]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Problem was your suggestions were not better than the aforementioned
Please don't get upset and rage now, it isn't the time or the place. Take it to PM if you need to discuss this with me more this thread is already way off topic.

Don't really feel the need to take it to PM, you could have done that to begin with! And who is to say that my suggestion was not better? You?

 

[Expidia]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Obviously, You just like posting advice that is incorrect or irrelevant to the topic just to see your own typing.

What is your address? I'm pretty sure you qualify for a brand new iboats brand forum trolling motor.

Shane, just add this guy to your ignore list (user CP top left) That's what I did!

No point getting into a rants with flamers. He will never have anything worth reading. Only posts to incite others. That's why most forums provide ignore lists

What a day on Lake George today. Totally flat and about 85 degrees. Saw plenty of fishy's on finder, but I guess they did not like any of my lures today. Going back again tomorrow!

 

[Expidia]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

Update: went to canvas shop today. They can do the trailerable cover for about $400.

They can do a full front window set up can be done for $350-400. Full front will keep the rain off me too, which hits me above my windshield.

He suggested a zipper at the top along the bimini and a window with a double zipper (about two feet apart) so I can unzip and walk to the bow if need be. That's a good idea as I'll need to get out there quickly sometimes when docking, anchoring etc.

He said I shouldn't need a brace in front of the passenger side because the floor snaps and side snaps should hold it securely. He said I can always add side windows later on if I want to. I don't have a lot of storage on board so I'll see how much room the front window takes up first. I don't want to put a lot of extra weight on my inexpensive Overton's bimini either. I should have went with the stainless steel tubes in hindsight. But since the boat is only used in freshwater I didn't think of the weight issues of adding more canvas to an aluminum frame.

I saw boats they were working on and this place does quality work. I'll need to leave boat for a week, so I'll get this front window unit at the seasons end.

I found a trailerable full styled cover to fit my boat for $315 in solution dyed fabric which is similar to Sunbrella. I think I'll go with this one because I can use it for both trailering and storage. Where as the $400 trailerable cover from the canvas shop can only be used for trailering or mooring. Not for storage and we get a lot of snow and ice up here.

I can also put the cover expense off till next season too, since I won't be trailering until then. I have a $49 wally world cover now for storage which worked out OK on my last 3 boats.

I'll have the front windshield canvas done next month and post pics for others that might want to go this route to stay dry and reduce the wind in a similar style boat.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

When you get it done post a few photos always like to see ideas come to reality. Sounds like that will be a real nice set up and not too bad of a price either.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

When you get it done post a few photos always like to see ideas come to reality. Sounds like that will be a real nice set up and not too bad of a price either.

I will post pics. If you enjoying seeing pics of ideas coming to reality, did you see the thread of the guy that has been restoring his Carver from the hull up with tons of pics taken with each step?

It's like watching a movie. Can't wait for each next scene to be posted. Talk about a labor of love . . . . Check it out it's under the restoration section.

Caution, you WILL look at every single pic It sucks you in . . .

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=183109

Now that I decided to get the windbreak made up . . . I want it yesterday. I'll drop the boat off as soon as the weather looks iffy. They said they would need it for a week. This way I might get some water time on Oct. too, if I have the new windbreak installed now.

I might as well get two side windows made up at the same time as I might be able to save a few bucks if they do it all at once.

Going to hit 85 degrees here today, same as yesterday. Going to do a little cruising today! Weekend weather looks to warm and sunny too. Not to shabby for the end of Sept. in the Northeast!

 

[jimyoung]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

It was the year 1978.....I had just bought the first bass trackers seen on Castaic lake just outside of Los Angeles.....it had the side console, and right in front of that was a passenger seat/live well......with me at the helm and the wife on the passenger seat, the boat still leaned when underway. Lots of room to my left for a seat.... what to do with it.....I called Bass Pro, asked for engineering, told them what I had and asked them if they would build me a seat for the other side.....the sheet metal had to be cut to fit the curve of the hull.......they did, and $65 dollars later (including shipping) I had a passenger seat....of course that was before windshields, but my boat rode flat.........call Lund and see if they offer something similar.....wish I still had that Boat!

 

[Expidia]

Re: Help! Ideas to reduce wind on passenger?

It was the year 1978.....I had just bought the first bass trackers seen on Castaic lake just outside of Los Angeles.....it had the side console, and right in front of that was a passenger seat/live well......with me at the helm and the wife on the passenger seat, the boat still leaned when underway. Lots of room to my left for a seat.... what to do with it.....I called Bass Pro, asked for engineering, told them what I had and asked them if they would build me a seat for the other side.....the sheet metal had to be cut to fit the curve of the hull.......they did, and $65 dollars later (including shipping) I had a passenger seat....of course that was before windshields, but my boat rode flat.........call Lund and see if they offer something similar.....wish I still had that Boat!

Ya, I thought of that but if Lund did make one it would be $1500 knowing them. I have a seat on the left. Boat has 6 post holes including the drivers.

I thought of calling lund and getting a removable left console made up by them. If they did, that would probably be $3,000.

I'm bringing the boat in on Monday to the canvas shop. At least the full front windshield they are making up will eliminate the rain too when caught in a down pour where the extra side console if they could make one won't do anything for the rain. I'm going to have them add side windows too to stop the side rain and wind.

Worse case I figure is I might have to spend another $300 with Overtons and they will upgrade my aluminum framed bimini to Stainless Steel which they said is heavier and stronger to support the extra canvas the shop will be hanging off of it. I'll see how sturdy the aluminum works out next week when I pick up the boat.

I know if I had a removable windshield or console made up it would be in the car when we needed it. I also trailer with a Saab so I don't have room to store a console. If I left the console in place we could not get out to the bow. Seats are to close together as it is now. At least the canvas can be rolled up and stored in the lockers when not needed.

Would have been nice if Lund had offered a full camper option but for their 15 foot models they don't. I went with the Lund brand since most quality boat companies don't even offer a 15 foot "side console" model. I like the boat and it's size fits my needs (for now )