New Member/New Owner Trailering Question: 240DA

[Fancy Nancy]

Hello Forum: new member here, and new owner. Just purchased 2004 240DA and trailered her home to Ohio from sunny Georgia.

First order of business is that I am having a custom canvas shop fabricate a trailering/mooring cover this week and I have a "newbie" question for the group:

Removing the bows (with attached bimini tops in boots) is a drag... how do you folks deal with them when using the trailering/mooring top? I know to get the canvas into the boots, but do the frames fold flat (or partially so)? I'd like to hold them flat enough to get them under the canvas cover... what do you do?

Thanks!

Wayne and Nancy Bell

 

[billnpat]

Hello Forum: new member here, and new owner. Just purchased 2004 240DA and trailered her home to Ohio from sunny Georgia.

First order of business is that I am having a custom canvas shop fabricate a trailering/mooring cover this week and I have a "newbie" question for the group:

Removing the bows (with attached bimini tops in boots) is a drag... how do you folks deal with them when using the trailering/mooring top? I know to get the canvas into the boots, but do the frames fold flat (or partially so)? I'd like to hold them flat enough to get them under the canvas cover... what do you do?

Thanks!

Wayne and Nancy Bell

Hi, Welcome....you came to the right place....:thumbsup:

 

[chuck1]

Welcome aboard. Not sure on the DA, but on the SDs I just leave it stored in the boot in the upright position. With that said the SD does have the side bar that gives it extra support. Have you done a search on the 240DA yet? I seem to remember something like this coming up before???

 

[Fancy Nancy]

I've googled and tried to search here.... not sure I'm looking in the right spots but thank you and I'll keep at it.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You can pull the pin on one pair of the legs (either the forward legs or the rear legs) of each bimini and gently fold them down. Chances are you'll have to experiment with folding one forward, then the other aft. I've done it on mine, just don't remember the exact combo. You may or may not need something to support them.

If you're actually referring to a cockpit cover, then the easiest thing to do is to have the cover slit to go around each leg - thereby leaving the bimini's unmoved. A flap (and velcro) can be added to minimize the hole. However, you could still do as above with a cockpit cover.

 

[Fancy Nancy]

Thanks Dennis....I think you have the right idea. I would like to keep the bows and units more or less in place for transport, and removing one set of pins to be able to do so sounds right. Thanks!

 

[Quint4]

Welcome to the site fellow Buckeyes. Where will you be boating?

 

[Fancy Nancy]

Go Bucks!!! We are located in Springboro area and open to ideas about where to boat. Right now looking at Cumberland and Norris but would like your input.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks Dennis....I think you have the right idea. I would like to keep the bows and units more or less in place for transport, and removing one set of pins to be able to do so sounds right. Thanks!

Well, for transport, just be really sure they are secured well and that there doesn't seem to be any undue stress on the bimini hardware that is still attached.

In case you are wondering, it is perfectly normal to trailer the boat with the biminis still in their upright position.

 

[Fancy Nancy]

The shop making the top thought it would be a good idea to fold them down and get them under the canvas.... I'll have to see if that can be done. Thanks!

 

[Quint4]

I drove through Springboro about 2 hrs ago! I keep my boat on Brookville Lake in Indiana.
Here: http://www.kentsharbor.com/
It is a great lake with 2 beaches a restaurant and three marinas. I have been to Norris and Cumberland and love 'em both....just too far to drive every weekend. I can be on my boat from my house in 50 minutes. I live about 15 minutes West of you. Give me a private message if you venture to Brookville Lake (click on Quint4 then on private message).

 

[Buckeye Boater]

Welcome! Good to have another Buckeye on board.

As Dennis mentioned in a previous post, if you are trailering with your bimini up (rolled up in the boot), make sure it is properly secured. After the first few times we trailed ours, I became concerned that the movement might cause the ball and pin connection to snap. We now take down the top and store it on the deck of the boat or in the bed of the truck when towing. It also keeps the bugs off the boot.

Your boat is configured differently than ours. But if possible, try to find a way to fit your bimini on the deck or in the cabin when towing.

Good luck with the new boat. Hope to see you on the water later this year!

 

[Fancy Nancy]

Thanks to all the fellow Buckeyes here with helpful advice.... we certainly appreciate any advice you care to send our way.

 

[BonBini]

When I prepped my old 230 for the trip from MI to FL, this all was a concern. I/we decided it would be best to pull pins and stow the supports down on the cockpit floor. Made less to worry about while driving. Didn't put the mooring cover in place for fear of wind whip at prolonged highway speeds. We pretty much secured the open cockpit for the trip and all went well.

I realize the two boats differ some but the intended out come is the same, no damage and a stress free trip. Just another view on long trip trailering. I sincerely wish you a safe trip. ... Ron

 

[Fancy Nancy]

Good point... thanks.