Way to pad/protect bimini pole when folded down

[kaulbr]

When my bimini top if folded all the way down and resting on the boat (to get it into the garage for example), the end of one of the poles rests on the boat and can scratch it up. I'm looking for ideas for a way to wrap that end up. I'd also like to trailer the boat with this down so it'd need to be something pretty secure. Right now I stick a rag underneath it and that works for getting it into the garage but obviously wouldn't stay in place if trailering. The only thing I could think of it using a piece of a swim noodle. Wondering if anyone else has other ideas.

 

[GA_Boater]

Grab a pool noodle before they all disappear with end of summer and cut a piece to fit over the tube-end fitting.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I use a pool noodle held on withvelcro straps.

 

[MTboatguy]

I use foam pipe insulation, you can get in various sizes and it will protect a lot of things real cheap.

 

[robert graham]

Pool noodle seems like a good idea, but I just wrap wear areas with electrical tape to prevent wear on aluminum poles in certain areas....

 

[Darrenmb]

I use the trailering poles and two short bungee cords to support the rear poles while they aren't attached.

 

[BRICH1260]

I purchased several "sample" pieces of Seadek white adhesive foam and stuck them on the areas of contact. The white color match hid the pads well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

go to a bike shop and get some of the old-school BMX bike pad sets.... or ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Flite-Pads...cing-Bike-USA-made-Color-Choice-/282716573548

or get pipe foam insulation

or get a section of heat shrink tubing

 

[Darrenmb]

This got me thinking and my short trailer legs have what is called a bimini rail brace, just figured out I can pop them off and use them instead of bungee cords when short legs in use.. Google them, pretty much made for what you need!!

 

[JASinIL2006]

My bimini supports, when the whole thing is lowered and resting on the boat, rubs on the gelcoat. That's why I use the pool noodles strapped to the poles. (I use the noodles with the hole running down the middle, with a wedge cut out to fit around the bimini poles.) The noodles work great and I have no more gelcoat abrasions.

I'd really like to leave mine up, but even using poles for the rear bimini attachment, the bimini rocks from side to side too much to drive with it that way. I'd love to find a way to stabilize it when in the highway so I wasn't always having to take it down and lash up the poles.

 

[kaulbr]

This got me thinking and my short trailer legs have what is called a bimini rail brace, just figured out I can pop them off and use them instead of bungee cords when short legs in use.. Google them, pretty much made for what you need!!

Maybe you could upload a picture of how exactly you use them. My poles have a rail brace. See the attached picture. That helps keep the poles in place but it doesn't stop them from rubbing against the hull.

 

[kaulbr]

My bimini supports, when the whole thing is lowered and resting on the boat, rubs on the gelcoat. That's why I use the pool noodles strapped to the poles. (I use the noodles with the hole running down the middle, with a wedge cut out to fit around the bimini poles.) The noodles work great and I have no more gelcoat abrasions.

I'd really like to leave mine up, but even using poles for the rear bimini attachment, the bimini rocks from side to side too much to drive with it that way. I'd love to find a way to stabilize it when in the highway so I wasn't always having to take it down and lash up the poles.

Completely same situation here. My bimini folds down 1/2 way and has a boot for trailering but I still feel like it's too much wind resistance and it wobbles so that's why I'm trying to figure out a good way to leave it down for longer trips. Also, the boot gets covered in bugs. I gotta think it'd help gas mileage a little too if it's down. Sounds like a pool noodle or something similar to that is the best solution.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Myself id see if one of the boat dealers has installed that rubberized teak flooring and maybe they have a small scrap piece trim it to be physically appealing and glue it in the place of contact. Another option would be to sew a thick piece of neoprene into a snug fitting sleeve that wont fall off the tubes slide it up when in use and down over the end when you need it. The thing I dont like about the pool noodles or pipe insulation foam is that your not going to want it on for normal use so you take it off or it blows off and now its missing in action when you need it. I made slip covers out of the legs of an old wet suit for my fire extenguishers bottoms so they dont marr my deck they fit tight and look like they were made for them.

 

[Darrenmb]

I'm at work now, but taking boat out tomorrow, I will snap some pics of it, it might have something to do with the 1 ft long supports I have added that keep bimini off of the boat itself when laid back for towing, also there is no wobble when towing as the extra legs/supports I have are kind of spread out so side to side movement is very limited

my phone is new so all my pics are kissing, Google bimini trailering struts..

 

[Darrenmb]

My pics are kissing.... not kissing... why cant I see an edit button??? Lol

 

[Darrenmb]

Damnit.... missing

 

[JoLin]

How about furniture leg protectors (booties)? Slide on, slide off. Home Depot, Lowe's etc. sell them in various diameters.

My .02

 

[Scott Danforth]

Damnit.... missing

either your suffering from fat-fingering, or you should turn off the word suggestion on your keyboard setting on your phone.....LOL

 

[kaulbr]

I think I've found the perfect item!
https://www.amazon.com/Alomejor-Fish...%2Bsleeve&th=1

I think I've seen moderators remove Amazon links before. If they do, here's a picture of what I found. It's a fishing pole sleeve.