Towing with the biminis

[dpvandy01]

I've got a 234 mile (98%) highway trip coming this weekend. my question is... tow with the biminis in place and wrapped in their zipper boots or tow with them in the cockpit on the floor?? I'm leaning towards the latter.

 

[ghuskin]

I would tow with them on the cockpit floor. That's only for the added clearance.

The last thing you need is to go under some bridge and then, BLAMO, no bimini!

nevermind, i see you already have an arch...

 

[RiverRat]

In the cockpit on the floor. Just for piece of mind knowing they won't get damaged during the haul. Don't forget about the TV antenna and anchor light up there...

 

[Quint4]

definitely take 'em down.Less drag,less wear and tear on the boots and mounts, and if they get wet while towing it really beats them up.

 

[chuck1]

I'm going to have to disagree, but I'm basing it on my 240SD setup. I've towed it thousands of highway miles with the Bimini top in the zipper boot and never had a problem.

 

[avguy]

We're only 30 min from the lake so I tow with the boot up also.
Only problem was on a trip to the gulf. After we got home I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning the bugs off.

 

[RiverRat]

I'm going to have to disagree, but I'm basing it on my 240SD setup. I've towed it thousands of highway miles with the Bimini top in the zipper boot and never had a problem.

I understand where your coming from here but on the 280 DA the rear bimini doesn't have a boot. I think it would be OK to just boot the front one though. (I just hate all the bugs stuck to the boot though) It leans forward instead of leaning to the rear.

 

[Quint4]

They create a fair amount of drag at highway speeds...just take them down...maybe you'll get a tad better fuel economy pulling that beast through the Tn. mountains.

 

[dpvandy01]

I understand where your coming from here but on the 280 DA the rear bimini doesn't have a boot. I think it would be OK to just boot the front one though. (I just hate all the bugs stuck to the boot though) It leans forward instead of leaning to the rear.

I've actually got a boot for all three. but I'm thinking I'll lay them in the cockpit. I've also gotten a few uHaul moving pads and I'm thinking about wrapping the arch and taping them on for bugs and the unanticipated branch

 

[Weave]

I have heard stories of poles/attachment points being stressed/causing spider cracks due to wind and side to side movement from road bumps, wind, etc

 

[RazorRobb]

Whatever puts you at ease. I've towed mine in the up position for thousands of miles and the only problem I have had, is rinsing the bugs off the boot. No big deal. Besides, it looks cool in the up position. That's the important thing.:thumbsup:

 

[Blueone]

The wrapping the arch...When I had my 2005 260 I wrapped the arch in shrink wrap...(Thin clingy plastic) you can get at Home depot and reinforced it with duct tape....it really helped with the bugs it was amazing how many bugs hit the arch...when we got to the destination you could just cut it off with a razor blade ....Then reapply for the trip back

 

[First Born]

The guy at my marina said when I bought the boat that if I was going to be traveling on the interstate to put it down, if not it was ok to leave it up. I always put it down. Takes 3 seconds to put back up when we get to the ramp. I do lose a couple cool factor points, but I am ok with that. :huh:

 

[RazorRobb]

That thing takes more abuse at 40 on the water than 65 on a smooth highway. It just seems to be another thing in the way when it's down. I started out by taking it down (layed it in the boat or in the back of my truck) it just got in my way and stepped on a few times.:smt009

 

[280 SeaRay]

I've got a 234 mile (98%) highway trip coming this weekend. my question is... tow with the biminis in place and wrapped in their zipper boots or tow with them in the cockpit on the floor?? I'm leaning towards the latter.

The forward and camper can and should be booted unless you want to buy new canvas. The aft arch bimini cannot be booted well with stock config. I just lay this one down on the cockpit floor. Leaving these on can and will rip the bimini supports out of the fiberglass.

Don't forget about the TV antenna and anchor light up there...

I not sure what this is referring to? A 280DA on a proper trailer should not exceed 13'6" in height with these items in place (anchor light swung down). 13'6" is the legal height limit in many states (check with your local DOT to be sure). In all cases I would be confident (this means get out an measure) in your measurements if you do not frequently trailer a 280.

 

[c17lm]

When I had my boat I did not trailer with it up. It only took a couple of minutes to put it back up. I know they say it's ok to trailer with it up, but the way I look at it is it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus I didn't like the way it bounced side to side when I hit bumps. I know that your boat is larger than mine was and has a different mounting system, but this is just my 2 cents.

 

[280 SeaRay]

I know they say it's ok to trailer with it up, but the way I look at it is it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus I didn't like the way it bounced side to side when I hit bumps. I know that your boat is larger than mine was and has a different mounting system, but this is just my 2 cents.

Great point.... the size and means of attachment vary greatly Sport Boat vs. Sport Cruiser what is applicable to a Sport Boat may not be applicable to a Sport Cruiser. I am not sure who "they" is/are but it certainly is not SeaRay. When I called SR cust service @ Knoxville they recommended booting camper and forward bimini and removing aft bimini.

 

[280 SeaRay]

another item you should consider removing is the cockpit sink and cockpit cooler covers. These things also have a tendency to fly. Good luck with the trailer the boat trailers very well with a decent trailer and proper tow vehicle.

 

[Daryl]

A little off point but have you thought about permits for towing that boat. Most states require permits for anything more than 8'6" beam. Locally you may get away with it but traveling across country maybe different. Just a thought!

 

[RiverRat]

I not sure what this is referring to? A 280DA on a proper trailer should not exceed 13'6" in height with these items in place (anchor light swung down). 13'6" is the legal height limit in many states (check with your local DOT to be sure). In all cases I would be confident (this means get out an measure) in your measurements if you do not frequently trailer a 280.

Low bridges he may encounter. In some places (2 lane highways and around town) they aren't all 13.6. I know that from my marina to the dealer I have to tow it a certain route due to 1 low bridge that the arch may or may not clear. So I chose to be safe rather than sorry.