Is it illegal to drive with canopy open on street?

[texasmojo]

Im still learning and have done lots of reading. Is it illegal to drive with the canopy cover on the boat open on streets? Im assuming it is but i was just wondering. I drive with the canopy cover down and tied up with bungee straps to the cleats. But sometimes i feel a strong wind might break the mounting points for the canopy poles and reult in an accident for the cars behind me. I have seen boats being towed with the canopy up on the highway, the canopy is up but the canvas is still rolled in its pouch zipper tied.

 

[unclejay]

Bimini ??

Do you mean the bimini top ? Towing with it in the up position invites all kinds of problems - like spider cracks in the gel coat around the mounts, screws pulling out, twisting of the support tubes. I would never do it. Also many bimini tops have metal screws attached into plastic fittings with plastic threads... they will not take constant motion.

 

[kustomkarl]

The truth about Bimini's being open is your choice. My 200 speedster does like 58 on the water with the Bimini up for use from the sun. If your on the local streets doing less than you go boating than it won't be any problem. I wouldn't tow my boat on the interstate at say the state speed of 70 mph, with the Bimini up, but around town at 30 MPH, not a big deal. Most Bimini's on the boat doing 30 MPH is fine so the trailer is too. There is no law against it ...just common sense.

Karl

 

[vilord]

If you have the canvas pulled down and just the poles up, even a strong wind shouldn't push the poles hard enough to do damage to the mounts... as Karl said, people drive around the lakes all day top speed with the canvas up, and if the mounts couldn't take it, the rest of us would have a field day with the free bimini tops floating in the lake

 

[timmyboy76]

oem canopy on my boat, and bent the poles doin 30mph-ish...

 

[vilord]

Was that with the canvas attached to the poles, or tied down?

 

[wingnut1961]

Just watch out for low overhangs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFnWbK7GZ2A

 

[kustomkarl]

Looks like no common sense at the drive thru...

Karl