Towing with Bimini

[126andy]

Guys I have another question for all of you that tow. Can I leave the Bimini the way it is in the picture when I'm towing down to the Marina?  I only have about 5 miles or so to go and there's no high speeds involved. I just figured that it would be better to ask someone who has towed with a Bimini before before I do it and have a twisted pile of crap when I get there.LOL
I've tried to fold it down all different ways but it never seemed right.
Thanks

[Capt. Bob]

That's what it's designed to do.

Just watch for low tree branches.

Good luck.

[126andy]

Thanks Bob I just wanted to make sure before I did something stupid

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks Bob I just wanted to make sure before I did something stupid

I can say with 100% surety, you would not be the first boater to "lower" their Bimini with the use of a tree branch.

[Georgie]

100% eh, CB?    Is there an embarrasing story there?

For what it's worth, my former roommate filled my rodholder with about 30 gallons of fuel....  

Should be fine, Andy.  I wouldn't leave it up like that for highway travel, but lower speed local driving with plenty of clearance shouldn't be a problem.  

[RickK]

You cannot assume that being "booted" and supported it will be ok.  My 230 has two biminis (see signature pics) and the aft one has a lot of sway port to starboard and I was traveling home (the first time with her) on I-75 and the aft one, set up just like yours swayed back and forth so much that it figured out how to unlatch the locking pin, vibrated out of the starboard bimini pivot point and now the bimini junction on that side was flopping up and down on the outside of the hull - still supported and prevented from going too far via the support pole to the aft of it - just was flailing around.  I traveled where I launched initially by a route that was 40-45 mph, which the rear bimini could handle - I-75 is 70mph.
Long story but now I lie each of the biminis down. The aft one I lie down and and it rests on the engine cowling, the front I tie with bungies to a camel back in the center of my windshield to keep from flopping around.
Something to think about anyway.

[Capt. Bob]

100% eh, CB?    Is there an embarrasing story there?

Yes and no.
When I pulled away from my home ramp in South Fla. I went left instead of right (I always went right) and hit the only tree in sight. I was much younger but yes it was embarrassing. The latest time was backing my WAC under the canopy cover in my back yard. The forward (helm) Bimini was stowed in its cover and "lowered" on the adjustable height supports, just not all the way. No damage this time as it just removed the top from the support.

Dad always said: "If you aren't makin' mistakes, you ain't doin' nothing.

For what it's worth, my former roommate filled my rodholder with about 30 gallons of fuel....   :

I trust that occurred when fuel prices were a tad lower. :o

Also, following Rick's post, I too lower both (you can see the rear in my sig. pic) if I'm long hauling at speed. The helm does stay up Andy when I go to the ramp about 20 miles south. It seems to ride well at 50 mph.

[Georgie]

Apparent final verdict then, Andy.... At highway speeds, lower and streamline everything.  Local, lower speed hauling, simplify and shortcut at your own risk.   If you decide to leave biminis, antennae, etc. engaged, check ALL joints after each haul.  Lost fasteners can be avoided and thus will infuriate the best of us.  Pay special attention to any speed that causes a part to vibrate.  Crazy things can happen in a short amount of time with harmonic vibration!

Go find some stripers!  It's april for chrissakes!!!  

[wingtime]

Depending on your tie downs you could also tie it down side to side forming an X to keep her from swaying side to side.  I'd go for a short trip and have a passenger see how it behaves.  

Folded down doesn't mean it is always safe either.... I was towing my 200XF one day with my buddy following me...  There I was snug in my truck heading down the road... everything was good and happy in the universe....  when simultaneously a car on either of side of me pull even with my windows and people in the cars are pointing back behind me.... "OH CHIT"   I quickly get off the throttle and check the mirrors...  the boat is still behind me and looks good....  then my phone rang..  it was my buddy following me..  "oh no!"  I answer it to hear "DUDE! TURN AROUND TURN AROUND! YOUR BIMINI FLEW OFF AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD!!!!  IT"S IN THE ROAD!"   I think "OH @!#$!@!"   "WHAT!?!" I ask  "YOU MEAN THE BIMINI FABRIC?"  "NO THE WHOLE DAMN THING!"  Visions of my bimini top from sticking out of the windshield of my buddies SRT-8 Charger run thru my mind....   It turns out when I folded the bimini top forward I forgot to secure it with the strap on the front of the cuddy....  The bimini top flipped up and back tearing the eyes off the ends of the tubes... it flew according to my friend WAY the F@#$ up in the air and then right into his SRT-8 Charger....  somehow it glanced off the windshield leaving only a small chip and an aluminum mark on the glass....  pure luck no one was hurt I guess.

[gman 82 aquasport]

I agree with the guys here, short trip, low speed(under 40-45 mph) she should be ok, but I would still keep an eye her..Speeds over 50, I would fold her down and strap it down. You should see how I strap my T-Top when I take off down the interstate, 2 straps front and rear crossed over to keep sway and movement to a minimum, have towed it this way at 70 mph for 250 miles at a stretch and no problems as yet :pirat:

[pigbike]

I strap mine down also, with some bungee cords. I have to go at least 12 miles to the closest ramp, and drive in the 60 mph range. I do see others with the top up like that and they don't seem to have problems.