Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

[riptide09]

I usually tow with my Bimini top closed and lowered. I was wondering if I replaced the plastic hardware with stainless or some other type of metal would it be OK to tow with the top closed but raised.

I have attached a picture with the top closed but raised. I have put red circles around each point where I would replaced the plastic with stainless or metal hardware.

 

[floatfan]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I tow with mine in the boot but on the struts just like yours all the time and have no issue. My average trip is 80 miles one way to the lake and I've never had any issues...and I still have the black nylon fittings. I don't exceed 60mph.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I tow with mine up but I don't have any plastic parts on it.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

Thanks, guess I will try it and see what happens. I am kind of bad on speed. I usually cruise around 65 to 70 but I can lower it a few MPH and keep it under 65. My usual destination is about 92 miles each way however I will be making a trip in a week that is closer to 150 each way.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

You should be good with the SS fittings.

 

[wgl333]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

Why incur the extra drag as well as stress on the frame and hardware when it only takes about 5 minutes to drop it and secure it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

it's like any other parts--you put stress on it by using it. it's not like it's going to fly off on the first trip, but eventually the shaking is going to take its toll. Maybe you will have sold the boat by then.

I don't trailer my boat but I leave the bimini closed and raised when cruising to and from the fishing grounds and put it up when I get there. I don't like the shaking along the way but I'd rather have it up and out of the way. And I only have it on the boat in the summer, one reason being less wear on it in the other seasons.

So just weigh the convenience of leaving it up against eventual wear. I'd probably leave it up and not worry about it. Also I think I'd just replace the plastic fittings if/when they do fail, and maybe carry an extra in the tool box in case. Could be that the plastic flexing is better for the system than a rigid SS part.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I have gone back and forth on towing with up or down. Common sense tells me that towing with it down will let me get better gas mileage and minimize wear and tear. I have towed once or twice with it up and I don't like the way it sways back and forth. Due to design of the hull and the way it is mounted it does not fold down all the way flat against the hull which means I use a block of foam underneath on each side and hold it down with a couple of bungee cords to the cleats. I guess in a way I am trying to be lazy and minimize my launching and retrieving work each time I take her out.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I tow at 65-70 with the top up like in your photo. Only thing is I have to tie the zipper on the cover to the post next to it or it will start coming undone.

 

[noclutch]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I try to remember to put mine lower before transporting just to reduce stress and strain on it- sometimes I forget. It is noticeably wobblier side to side when in the high stored position. Now if I were to strap it on the diagonal or X it would be much more stable but just as much effort as lowering.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I always towed with a bimini down and secured so it would not flop around. Have seen hundreds, maybe thousands towed while up. Saw at the boat yard that was towed up and pulled out of the gunnel. Did a lot of scratching while flopping at 55 MPH. Seems installation is key.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

Seems installation is key.

I agree. My bimini-based enclosure went on in October and came off in May. Good quality canvas, one inch diameter stainless tubing and hardware. That top went thousands of miles on the “ball” and was none the worst for wear after 12 seasons.

 

[V153]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

Long's your deck hinges & frame fittings are secure it's acceptable to tow with it booted up in the 'closed' position. But as was mentioned why incur the extra wind resistance/stress?

When you look at a bimini frame from the side all you should see is 90deg angles. So when you install your 'stiff bars' or 'stiffs' as we refer to them. Try to shoot for the same.

Once you get the stiffs where ya want em. I highly recommend removing the set screws in the fittings, drilling a 3/16" hole, and installing rivets.

Being in the business I've seen more than my share of boats/interiors damaged by a frame that came apart. The set screws in the SS fittings have a sharp point on em so in that sense they're better than the nylon, which have a wimpy circular ridge that's 'posed to hold em in place.

Under normal boating conditions either is fine. But when ya start hauling one down the interstate? The rules change. Always puts a big smile on my face when I pass someone towing a boat with the top up.

As someone mentioned make sure the zipper on the boot's not gonna move. Good idea to secure it. Diaper pin works for me.

 

[V153]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I agree. My bimini-based enclosure went on in October and came off in May. Good quality canvas, one inch diameter stainless tubing and hardware. That top went thousands of miles on the “ball” and was none the worst for wear after 12 seasons.

Agreed. Yup just like anything else, prep/install's the key.

 

[V153]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I agree. My bimini-based enclosure went on in October and came off in May. Good quality canvas, one inch diameter stainless tubing and hardware. That top went thousands of miles on the ?ball? and was none the worst for wear after 12 seasons.

Agreed. Yup just like anything else, prep/install's the key.

 

[airshot]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I mounted my bimini on rails so the top can be slid for or aft to get it out of the way so laying it down is no problem. Also like the idea of being able to move it for and aft to help cover the bright sun, just a thought...........

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I put mine away when towing (fits in the engine bay under the sundeck). I also put it away if it is closed (not attached to the front) when making fast runs. It only takes a few minutes to put away and get out each time. I don't like putting stress on it at any time because they are not cheap and I don't want to fix anything that I can prevent. when its up and closed it always seems to be in the way or you at least have to be aware its there.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

I`ve towed with mine up many times, generally when I forget to lower it, but I have had no problems other than the boots zipper wanting to come undone and the fact that it collects a good share of bugs. Mine has stainless hardware though, i would suggest upgrading to that.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

After losing mine I will never leave it up. Stainless steel fitting cracked. If you don't mind losing a $700 custom bimini top, leave it up. Up to you. I take the couple minutes and lay it down inside the boat.

 

[V153]

Re: Towing with Bimini Top Closed but Raised

After losing mine I will never leave it up. Stainless steel fitting cracked.

It happens, even ss fittings break sometimes. Stress, bad casting mebbe? I've seen it more than once. Bummer about your top. When I was a kid in Miami my Dad used to tow the boat down to the keys a lot. My Uncle had a place in Key Largo. Never once did we make that trip without losing or breaking something. But I digress

I'm often called upon to work miracles on biminis that have been damaged in some imagionative new way. Developed somewhat of a 'cult' following, much to my chagrin. Customers run em into bridges, trees, garage doors. Marina fork lift operators routinely smash em into the roof of the barn, or into the boat in the rack above. I patched one up a few years ago I swear had bullet holes in it? No BS!

Back to the subject. Something that hasn't been mentioned is usng 'quick release' pins in your fittings. The best ones imo are the spring loaded version with the lil lanyard. Drill a 1/4" hole through the fitting(s), attatch the lanyard under the deck hinge'n yer good to go.