Newbee question on trailering

[DAVECS1]

Well I tend to agree with most here. I leave my bimi up on trips under 2 hours or so. I take a 12 hour hike to MN, and a 2 hour hike to north Illinois. During those times I just pull the pins and lay it on the floor of the boat. It takes less than 5 minutes to put up and down and I do not have to keep an eye on it when going down the interstate.

As for the covers. I have had them on for trips to MN and various lakes, but in my opinion is, they take a heck of a beating, and get stretched out. Never lost one or anything. I also was always watching in my rear view when they were on. Now I tow with no covers or cusions,, everything that can come off the boat easily,, does. I store all removeables in the bed of my truck, and I have no worries going down the road.

I use my covers when moored at the dock over night or when we stop at a hotel, and of course when the boat is sitting in the drive. If they are all stretched out and the snaps are loose they do not keep the rain out as well.

 

[Sundancer]

My experience was similar to Dave M's. The bimini cover came off and it began to self destruct. Fortunately, we caught it before any damage occurred. When we were looking for our boat, we ran across a boat where either the pin or the screws came out and it flapped around in the back doing major damage to the fiberglass and interior. I just lay mine down on the floor. It takes 5 minutes or less. We don't tow with the custom mooring cover on, unless it's under 10 minutes and under 30 MPH. In other words, to the dealer and back in the Spring and Fall and that's it!