Bimini top ?

[Guest_User]

OK, this is a dumb question, but I have to ask...
I have a Bimini top for the boat, only used it once while sitting on the water. with it wrapped and down, it is still kinda flimsy.

For you riders with tops, what do you do, do you ride full speed with it up? or do you just use it for low speed cruising or when anchored?
thanks...

 

[jhjesse]

OK, this is a dumb question, but I have to ask...
I have a Bimini top for the boat, only used it once while sitting on the water. with it wrapped and down, it is still kinda flimsy.

For you riders with tops, what do you do, do you ride full speed with it up? or do you just use it for low speed cruising or when anchored?
thanks...

When I do use mine, it is usually with my wife and grandkids and I am just cruising around or pulling the grandkids around on the tube.
I recently installed mine new and the instructions said 40mph max on the speed. I don't have any problems at 40-45mph.

 

[Guest_User]

When I do use mine, it is usually with my wife and grandkids and I am just cruising around or pulling the grandkids around on the tube.
I recently installed mine new and the instructions said 40mph max on the speed. I don't have any problems at 40-45mph.

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any pictures of the top up?
I`m not 100% sure ours is done right. :cheers:

 

[jhjesse]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any pictures of the top up?
I`m not 100% sure ours is done right. :cheers:

No, but I when I pull the boat out of the "man cave" tomorrow, I will snap a couple pics. I need some new pics anyway.

 

[dbracela]

I leave mine down all the time too, secured with that strap on the back. Still, it moves around and has cut into the upholstery.

 

[1800chall_tim]

mine is after market from boatcoversdirect so it is a little higher and a little wider, i can go 40-45 mph with it open. the key it to tilt it a little forward so it don't catch wind like a kite. solid rear supports are a good idea if you want extra stability.

 

[RFoster130]

I put mine on the boat 2 years ago and have only opened it up once. I only really plan on using it if it rains or maybe on really hot scorching days for a break. With it in the folded back position, speed isnt an issue, you can do anything like normal. Opened up though, i think you are really only suppose to go like 30-35 max. Hard to tell in the pics, but yours looks right to me.

 

[Guest_User]

I`ve only run with it on once in the closed position, which is not laying flat on the back. to do that it`s needs to be disconnected from the end clevis and put down, now that only leaves 2 attachment points for stability and that`s pretty darn sloppy at best.
I didn`t install this top, the previous owner did.
with the top in the closed/collapsed position it def catches air.

it does leave a nice depression in the rear cushion if I leave it on. so I haven`t been keeping it on the boat, it`s been hanging up out of the way in the garage...lol...

 

[Guest_User]

mine is after market from boatcoversdirect so it is a little higher and a little wider, i can go 40-45 mph with it open. the key it to tilt it a little forward so it don't catch wind like a kite. solid rear supports are a good idea if you want extra stability.

Boat looks great!. I see some differences between the 98 ans 99 model...

 

[RFoster130]

That doesnt make sense. Yours has the rear poles instead of the rear straps like the front. You should be able to fold it all back, and zip the boot onto it. Then it should be rock solid. I leave it on the boat all the time. I pop the pins out for the rear poles and fold it back to get in and out of the garage or when im towing it covered. Then as soon as i get to the lake i pop it up and leave it folded back. Heck, I tow my boat on the highway sometimes with it up like that. Never had a single problem.

 

[Guest_User]

That doesnt make sense. Yours has the rear poles instead of the rear straps like the front. You should be able to fold it all back, and zip the boot onto it. Then it should be rock solid. I leave it on the boat all the time. I pop the pins out for the rear poles and fold it back to get in and out of the garage or when im towing it covered. Then as soon as i get to the lake i pop it up and leave it folded back. Heck, I tow my boat on the highway sometimes with it up like that. Never had a single problem.

yes, I have to pull the rear pins in order for it to lay down...
I have trailer`d one time with it collapsed but up and it nearly ripped it off at 45-50 mph. The front cleat came loose and moved forward. The front black attachment points have thumb screw so they can be slide forward or rearward. I havent found a reason yet to loosen them or move them.

the top is pretty wobbly side to side, sure could use an X strap or something...

 

[RFoster130]

Thats odd, post some better pics up close of the mounts. My rear poles actually are thumbs screws not pins...i couldnt think of the correct term. After 2 years of screwing them in and out though i noticed yesterday the threads are kinda shot. I thought they would be better when i installed it, i think im gonna switch to the actual pull pins that came with it.

 

[1800chall_tim]

yes, I have to pull the rear pins in order for it to lay down...
I have trailer`d one time with it collapsed but up and it nearly ripped it off at 45-50 mph. The front cleat came loose and moved forward. The front black attachment points have thumb screw so they can be slide forward or rearward. I havent found a reason yet to loosen them or move them.

the top is pretty wobbly side to side, sure could use an X strap or something...

ya, know what you mean. though i do not have the slide track to move the entire top forward/aft. mine also wobbles side to side when on the road. if i tow it a long distance i don't keep it up on the rear stays. and it also will sway side to side on the water. if you fear that this swaying side to side will tear out your mount screws you can cut small squares out of treated plywood, reach through the speaker holes in the gunwall and rescrew the mounts with the treated plywood blocks as backer plates. be careful not to screw through your cables on starboard side.

 

[1800chall_tim]

even with backer plates on the mounts, the screws do tend to loosen from time to time. i am considering installing the loops for the rear straps so that as well as having the rear supports i can use the straps in a criss-cross when on the trailer.

 

[RFoster130]

My screws have never loosened. I think i would try bolts with nylock nuts on the underside if you can get to them.

 

[jhjesse]

Pics as promised.
When you want to lay your top flat, you can loosen the set screws on the very back poles instead of pulling the pins. You will also have to loosen the slide pins, as well. I never tighten the slides, so it is quick and easy. Then just take a quick connect strap and loop it around the top in the middle and through the rear grab bar.

I added a couple pics of the rollers on my trailer. These things are the bomb!! When loading the boat I just get the bow started onto the rollers and kill the engines, jump out and finish pulling the boat onto the trailer with little or no effort. It's really good because I can load it easily and the Mrs. doesn't have to help. She really likes that part. She would rather watch and tell me how to do it.

 

[jhjesse]

one more

 

[RFoster130]

Now i see why it would be sloppy, the slides. I see how the slide would be convenient if you used the bimini and moved it back and forth, but with the rear poles, it seems that option would no longer work, making the slides useless. Thats the first time ive seen them with the slides. i think i like it better without. Mine is rock solid.

 

[jhjesse]

Now i see why it would be sloppy, the slides. I see how the slide would be convenient if you used the bimini and moved it back and forth, but with the rear poles, it seems that option would no longer work, making the slides useless. Thats the first time ive seen them with the slides. i think i like it better without. Mine is rock solid.

Mine is not sloopy at all. When the front straps are attached it is rock solid. I ride all day with it up 40-45mph with no problems.
By allowing the sliders to move, it simply allow them to slide all the way back when folding the top down. Also by allowing the top of the rear poles to not be fixed with the set screw it allows the top to completely fold down and back for ease of transport...not sloppy.

 

[Guest_User]

@ jhjesse, first thing I notice is your slides are in a different location than ours. Our slide is more forward than aft. I see where there was a plastic plug that filled in a hole on our boat where the slide was in the same location as yours and don`t know why it was necc for the previous owner to relocate it.

@ RFoster, no bolts comes loose, the thumb screw for the slide came loose and allowed the top to droop... These pieces are different than what was originally in the kit. The previous owner swapped out the plastic guide/slide for a locking guide slide.
He also screwed up the mountings for the strap up front. I had to used a heavier screw with epoxy to repair the holes... unreal...

well my original query was how you guys used your tops and at what speeds... I`ll guess I`ll just have to try it out while underway. I`ll also see if I can loosen the thumb screw and see if it will allow the top to go all the way back/down without pulling the ring/pins...
I`ll post better pics tomorrow...

Thanks all!...

Jhjesse, here is a pic of the custom roller bunk I fabbed up for the GPR trailer...

 

[jhjesse]

@ jhjesse, first thing I notice is your slides are in a different location than ours. Our slide is more forward than aft. I see where there was a plastic plug that filled in a hole on our boat where the slide was in the same location as yours and don`t know why it was necc for the previous owner to relocate it.

Like you, I don't have an answer for your slide location, but I can tell you that I followed the installation instructions perfectly. (the engineer in me)
I have noticed on a couple of challengers around my area with factory tops. The location of their sliders etc. are close to where mine are located. The biggest thing for me is the straps, when they are good and snug the complete top gets very rigged.

good luck

 

[Guest_User]

@ jhjesse, first thing I notice is your slides are in a different location than ours. Our slide is more forward than aft. I see where there was a plastic plug that filled in a hole on our boat where the slide was in the same location as yours and don`t know why it was necc for the previous owner to relocate it.

Like you, I don't have an answer for your slide location, but I can tell you that I followed the installation instructions perfectly. (the engineer in me)
I have noticed on a couple of challengers around my area with factory tops. The location of their sliders etc. are close to where mine are located. The biggest thing for me is the straps, when they are good and snug the complete top gets very rigged.

good luck

Thanks again jhjesse, as soon as the weather is cooperative I`ll get some better pics.

 

[Dr Honda]

well my original query was how you guys used your tops and at what speeds...

Thanks all!...

Up to 45 mph is all I've ever gotten to. With the top open... there is a noticeable speed difference.

I generally run my top open if the sun is out, and it's hot. This is because, I can still move in and out of the shade when sitting around, and relaxing. (both of my seadoo boats had a nice front seat for sun) This past weekend, while on vacation... I never opened it. It was sunny most of the time, but not too hot.

 

[porque]

i have been using mine at full speed and have consistent problems. when the lake is choppy or windy i will rattle bolts loose every time. sometimes the c mounts to the boat fail. just Sunday in good weather the plastic mount broke where the bimini frame pins to the boat. if you do try it watch how you approach the wind also make sure the straps are nice and tight. my boat is a 1997 and with the problems i still make it work
i dont notice much speed difference with the top up or down

 

[Guest_User]

Here are a few pics of the mounting hardware and slide...