Bimini Top

[CaptainKev]

I have a 2008 Regal 2400 with a Bimini top. I have two questions. The first is whether to trailer with the Bimini up & furled. Second, whether to disconnect the rear legs and lay the top down on top of the windshield and tie it down. The reason for the questions is that when I trailer, the Bimini rattles and bounces back & forth a lot. A couple of weeks ago, after trailering 20 miles, the port side acorn bracket mounting screws(the screws holding the bracket to the boat) worked loose and the bracket damaged the gel coat when it started flopping around. When I disconnect the back support legs and lash the top down to the windshield there is quite a lot of stress on those same bracket(s) because the top is in a bit of a bind. If I try to lay the Bimini toward the stern the support poles hit the boat before the top is being supported. What is the general consensus folks? Do I trailer with it up, or down. I've noticed other boats with Bimini's up but they don't seem to flop around near as much as mine. Thanks,
Kev.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Bimini Top

If you get a couple straps for it, you can tighten them enough so it can't bounce. The damage happens from movement, so if you get some nylon straps and pull them tight you won't have to worry about damage.

Let me know if that sounds confusing.

Here is an example:

Obvious, but I'll include it anyhow.. Never trailer your boat with the bimini unfurled

 

[cpubud]

Re: Bimini Top

second on that never trailer with the bimini up or opened .

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bimini Top

I ALWAYS take mine off, and lay it down on the deck of the boat. Its the first thing we put up, and the last thing we take down so its never in the way. That way there is no stress on the mounts or the hull, and it only takes a minute.

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: Bimini Top

I remove the rear support poles & lay it down on the rear deck, it has brackets that will scratch gel coat that I wrap with a towell just for trailering. If I leave it up, in its boot, it will sway alot a speeds obove forty.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Bimini Top

i leave mine furled up in its boot and use straps to keep somewhat tight it will move some given the nature of the swing mounts but no problems yet--yet being the key word--murphy's law and all

 

[Expidia]

Re: Bimini Top

I ran into the same problem first time out after installing my bimini. Wind caused it to shake back and forth even though it was furled away in the bimini cover some frame rivets scratched up the paint on my new aluminum.

This was my fix

I went to Home Depot and bought a length of the grey pipe insulator foam. It's not the small black stuff. This one is about 6-7 inches around. I cut a 6 inch piece off and it already has a slit in it. I mounted it on my frame just below the joint where it folds. My bracket has a stupid rivet on the part that hits the frame.

I tied it on with those tiny bungees. A plastic bottle of about 20 for about $4 is in Walmarts auto section. contains many different colors. Pic below tells me I need to put the red ones on I leave the foam on my frame even when top is up because you can clip it on the lower frame section and when its up the foam can stay on. For me, that foam under the joint which stays clipped on (I only clip it around the lower piece so it stays on and does not interfere with the frame opening) when frame is up it also keeps my plastic windows off that joint and marring up:

As the other poster noted, I tie the back corners of the closed bimini onto cleats to keep the frame from swaying back and forth.

Walmart, 6 footers for a few bucks each, these can be cut and take a match and melt the end after cutting, I like mine long and just wrap the extra around for further support:

These tips may not be applicable to your situation, but you may be able to adapt some to your situation or it might help others. Each boat and bimini configuration is different. Hope this helps others that are putting on biminis. They also sell plastic frame hold down clips that can be attached to your gunnels available from a canvas shop.

Trailering with a trailerable cover will lessen some frame movement too. But mine also sways when the boat is in use when it's down because I didn't want to use those frame rests that holds the bimini 2 feet high when folded because it gets in the way of fishing.

I made the mistake of mounting my frame on top of my gunnels when I could should have mounted it inside. I have more room when its folded, So I had to take the above steps to protect the boat's finish.

Also, pull into a custom canvas shop and they can give you ideas on how to protect it from scratching.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bimini Top

i like those lashing straps.....what section did you find those in?

 

[CHEVYJEFF]

Re: Bimini Top

I had a lot of sway in my top. I utilized all stainless steel fittings along w the following On my regal lsr to control the sway during trailering.

If am going to trailer more then 50 mph I will take the quick disconnect pins out of the rear support legs and lay the top forward onto the windshield frame, tie it down to the bimini top strap mounts using the front straps wrapped around the top and boot. I also clip the rear support legs to the top frame to keep them from flopping around when in this position.

If I am not going far or on highway I leave the top up (folded back and rolled up in boot and utlilize the forward straps in conjunction w/ the extra straps that were not used because of the rear support legs and do a criss-cross tie pattern to each rear cleat. It makes an "X" pattern looking from back of boat and keeps the top from swaying when in this position.

Ill see if i can get some pics this weekend to post.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Bimini Top

i like those lashing straps.....what section did you find those in?

Camping section.

My Daughters bimini came yesterday and I might have grabbed those in the picture two weeks ago while in Gander Mountain's store. I'll check my receipts.

Yep, it was Walmart!

 

[CaptainKev]

Re: Bimini Top

Thanks for all the input folks, it's appreciated. I'll try the lashing down suggestions and see how they work. I was also a little disappointed that Regal didn't utilize some kind of backing plate for the acorn clamps..........while the fiberglass is relatively thick where the clamps are mounted, there is a bunch of vibration & stress on the bracket screws while underway, even at 20 mph. When boating season is over, I'll replace the self tapping stainless screws for stainless machine screws & locking nuts going through the fiberglass to stainless reinforcing plates. In the meantime, I'll give your welcomed suggestions a shot.
Kev.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Bimini Top

Keeping in mind that when most people trailer their boat the speeds will be in the 55mph or more, I would say that having the bimini up(furled or not) is an invitation for an accident. I did however tried it in a short drive from a very busy ramp to the another ramp in the other side of the lake... Still uneasy..

 

[Expidia]

Re: Bimini Top

i like those lashing straps.....what section did you find those in?

Went to Walmart today for more of those straps. First one I tried had none. But the other store had them in the camping section.

I bought 6 more of them. $1.88 each. I used one for strapping down the battery box and the 6 gal gas tank. Two more for the corners of the folded bimini.

They are 6 feet long so cut the length you need and melt the end with a match to seal it and keep it from fraying.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Bimini Top

I travel with my top up and in its boot (cover). Never had a problem. Until next time I go out thanks to Mr. Murphy and this post.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bimini Top

I travel with my top up and in its boot (cover). Never had a problem. Until next time I go out thanks to Mr. Murphy and this post.

You are also probably only traveling 45 mph the whole way there...especially in the park, right??? lol. shouldn't be that bad I guess. man, I cringe seeing people hittin the freeway doin 65-70 with the bimini dancin in the wind, even with back supports.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Bimini Top

Man I wish I could do 45 mph!

No actually, my top frame has four hard points (2 each side). It doesn't fold down easy. The dealer said to leave it up with the boot on while driving. And, I'm the one going 70 on 215 and 55 in the park.