Towing with cover and bimini

[JerryS]

I was only trying to better explain my situation and how I trailed boats. Why the negativity?

Not being negative at all, just making it clear what my position is on a long haul and why. I have towed enough times for over 1,000 miles at a stretch that I know how things shake, rattle and roll. The last time I was out, I saw a Bimini come flying off of a boat when I was going through Pennsylvania.

 

[Lazy Daze]

OK, gotcha. For what it's worth, like I said above, I do agree with you that on a long haul it makes more sense to take extra precautions. Even if it's for no other reason than to give us a little piece of mind.

 

[markrinker]

From a pro that gets paid to haul boats - all canvas gets stowed. Always.

I have seen full camper enclosures up, flapping down the freeway. Craziness.

 

[N369RM]

Yes, I bought the boat in Utah and had it professionally towed to Florida with the bimini stowed below deck. Getting it out was a REAL BEAR and not something I want to do again. I noticed a hole in the door interior cover that looks exactly like it came from the bimini on an earlier removal attempt.

The person who towed it did not secure the Sun Pads below deck and they were lost on the trip, but that is another story....

Boat now has a Florida number.

Ron Mason

 

[Woody]

With my BR and SD I laid the tops down and tied them. With the 280DA I remove the tops and put in truck. I also have a speed limit recommendation on the tags of the tops, I think 45mph, has anyone else noticed it?

 

[Lazy Daze]

With my BR and SD I laid the tops down and tied them. With the 280DA I remove the tops and put in truck. I also have a speed limit recommendation on the tags of the tops, I think 45mph, has anyone else noticed it?

Somewhere, years ago, I think I saw it. I can't say for sure, but I thought it referred to when the tops were open?

 

[MonacoMike]

With my BR and SD I laid the tops down and tied them. With the 280DA I remove the tops and put in truck. I also have a speed limit recommendation on the tags of the tops, I think 45mph, has anyone else noticed it?

Somewhere, years ago, I think I saw it. I can't say for sure, but I thought it referred to when the tops were open?

That was my understanding as well...

MM

 

[JimT]

With my BR and SD I laid the tops down and tied them. With the 280DA I remove the tops and put in truck. I also have a speed limit recommendation on the tags of the tops, I think 45mph, has anyone else noticed it?

When I tow my boat I take the bimini down but leave the sunshades up. They seem very well supported with the frame and there is not that much surface area. I have never seen a speed limit recommendation on any of my Great Lakes pieces.

 

[bigblockcutlass]

I tow with the cockpit cover and and the Bow's up, but I have to tape the pins in the hold the bow's in place. I keep all the covers in the boat and only the bow's or supports exsposed. The two top covers you see in the picture does not go down the road.

 

[MonacoMike]

When I tow my boat I take the bimini down but leave the sunshades up. They seem very well supported with the frame and there is not that much surface area. I have never seen a speed limit recommendation on any of my Great Lakes pieces.

What is a sunshade? My Great Lakes tops have the speed on the tags.

MM

 

[MonacoMike]

I tow with the cockpit cover and and the Bow's up, but I have to tape the pins in the hold the bow's in place. I keep all the covers in the boat and only the bow's or supports exsposed. The two top covers you see in the picture does not go down the road.

You take the top off the bow? Not sure what you meant.

MM

 

[JimT]

What is a sunshade? My Great Lakes tops have the speed on the tags.

MM

Thw sunshades are the two overhead pieces that. connect to the front and back of the radar arch.

 

[MonacoMike]

Thw sunshades are the two overhead pieces that. connect to the front and back of the radar arch.

Ah. Thanks, MM

 

[N369RM]

Can you all post some pics how you secure the two Bimini system for towing with the biminis still attached tp the boat but the cover boots on and laying down and secured?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Can you all post some pics how you secure the two Bimini system for towing with the biminis still attached tp the boat but the cover boots on and laying down and secured?

No pic needed - it's easy. The factory bimini's are designed to be towed in the stowed position. That means: Standing upright (but in the folded position), with the canvas closed and covered by the boot. In other words, each bimini should look like a radar arch. You DO NOT need to lay them down.

But, if you'd like to take the extra steps to lay them down, then remove them completely and lay them down inside the cockpit. Use some towels or pool noodles to protect your vinyl and/or gel where needed.

 

[boatman37]

my thoughts were this...my boat goes nearly 35 MPH and many others with bimini's like mine do over 40 MPH. so my thoughts are that i can tow it and as long as i stay near those speeds and don't go under any low hanging branches i should be ok

 

[bbwhitejr]

I always tow with the rear sunshade in its original position-open and unbooted. Front sunshade or Bimini and rear Bimini in upright position, rolled, and booted.

Towed at 65mph with no issues.

Bennett

 

[N369RM]

I always tow with the rear sunshade in its original position-open and unbooted. Front sunshade or Bimini and rear Bimini in upright position, rolled, and booted.

Towed at 65mph with no issues.

Bennett

Unfortunately, I have a covered dock, so I need to lower them so that the boat will fit when raised out of the water.

Thus, my desire to see how other people store these lying flat.

Thanks!

 

[Woody]

I looked at your pic from years ago. It appears that your top is in two pieces. If so what I'd try is unzipping them and lay the rear section toward the stern of the boat. I'd fold up the front portion and lay it toward the windshield.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You mentioned you were trailering. But this is just sitting still on the lift? Well, that's different. Do like Woody said - if that way doesn't seem right (watch how the bimini fittings work together - if they're starting to "bind"), then fold the other way. A minute or two of trial and error and you'll figure it out.