Flybridge awning

R

rappja

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2024
Messages
108
Location
Benecia, California
Fluid Motion Model
R-31 CB
Vessel Name
Lily Marie II
I just purchased a 2019 Ranger CB31. The previous owner did not have the flybridge awning canvas on the frames. It took me quite a while to figure the pieces out and adjust the frames to make it tight. I don't want to do it again. However, it seems at 20 it's it would act as a sail. There is nothing like a strap to hold the front down. Can I travel with the awning up and assembled? Any suggestions? Thanks


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We have the cockpit awning extension on our R25OB so it may be a bit different then what you have on your 31. With that said, unless we’re going just a short distance we take it down. The reasons for us are, at higher speeds, it does whip around and there is stress where the poles insert into transom. This stress could lead to cracks in the gelcoat and or fiberglass.
 
Are you talking about the canvas that covers the lower flybridge below the CB helm and the main cabin windshield?
 
My Bimini did not come with the R31 the previous owner added it, would be a PIA to lower I run with it up all the time. I keep my R31 on a lift at my house and leave the Bimini up year-round for added protection.
 
rappja said:
I just purchased a 2019 Ranger CB31. The previous owner did not have the flybridge awning canvas on the frames. It took me quite a while to figure the pieces out and adjust the frames to make it tight. I don't want to do it again. However, it seems at 20 it's it would act as a sail. There is nothing like a strap to hold the front down. Can I travel with the awning up and assembled? Any suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...
I installed an aftermarket command bridge Bimini top. It is 2 feet longer than the factory Bimini. We leave it up from June-Oct. the rest of the time I fold up the canvas on the frame and cover it with a custom fitted canvas cover or also called boot. Ours is a R31CB
 
The factory Bimini should have straps or solid poles to hold it down to the upper helm area.
 
I have a 2019 R-29 CB and have noticed the same thing with my bimini top: it acts like a sail. In my case, it's only a problem when I'm trying to maneuver at slow speed, for example for docking or locking, on a windy day. Mine didn't come with the boat but was installed by King Canvas before I left Washington so I'm pretty sure it's the same as the factory top. In windy conditions, I just release the two anchor points for the front poles and fold the whole thing back. I use bungee balls to hold those two front legs in place against the others. If the top is dry, I then cover the canvas with the zip-up cover it came with. I do not remove the canvas.

IMG_2745.JPG


Having the bimini up does not affect me while crusing at speed. Yes, maybe it does provide some wind resistance that's eating away at performance. But not enough to prompt me to stop and take it down.

BTW, I normally do not deploy the bimini unless I plan on driving from the command bridge on a sunny day. I'm cruising nearly every day now so it's mostly up. But I had to do some locking yesterday with the wind blowing pretty good, so I took it back down.
 
Our 2015 R31-CB has a bimini to cover the upper helm seat. It has two straps that clip onto fittings on the front of the helm station (just before the clear windshield) that keep it steady.
 
mlanger said:
I have a 2019 R-29 CB and have noticed the same thing with my bimini top: it acts like a sail. In my case, it's only a problem when I'm trying to maneuver at slow speed, for example for docking or locking, on a windy day. Mine didn't come with the boat but was installed by King Canvas before I left Washington so I'm pretty sure it's the same as the factory top. In windy conditions, I just release the two anchor points for the front poles and fold the whole thing back. I use bungee balls to hold those two front legs in place against the others. If the top is dry, I then cover the canvas with the zip-up cover it came with. I do not remove the canvas.

View attachment 22876

Having the bimini up does not affect me while crusing at speed. Yes, maybe it does provide some wind resistance that's eating away at performance. But not enough to prompt me to stop and take it down.

BTW, I normally do not deploy the bimini unless I plan on driving from the command bridge on a sunny day. I'm cruising nearly every day now so it's mostly up. But I had to do some locking yesterday with the wind blowing pretty good, so I took it back down.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
I couldn't find the zip up cover. Any suggestions for getting one made? Perhaps a company that makes replacement awnings for Rangers?
Do you have to adjust the poles to fold back the bimini?
 
JeffreyAC77 said:
Our 2015 R31-CB has a bimini to cover the upper helm seat. It has two straps that clip onto fittings on the front of the helm station (just before the clear windshield) that keep it steady.
Click to expand...
Any chance you can take a picture of the straps and attachemnets in place? Thanks in advance
 
rappja said:
I just purchased a 2019 Ranger CB31. The previous owner did not have the flybridge awning canvas on the frames. It took me quite a while to figure the pieces out and adjust the frames to make it tight. I don't want to do it again. However, it seems at 20 it's it would act as a sail. There is nothing like a strap to hold the front down. Can I travel with the awning up and assembled? Any suggestions? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

IMG_2936.JPG
IMG_2937.JPG

rappja said:
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Heere are the 2 images showing our bimini strap attachments - hope this helps you.
 
Thanks, it does.
Did the straps come with the awning? If not, where did you get them?
It looks like theu're attached to the plastic shield. Is that strong enough?
I discovered mine was made in Florida, not by Ranger. The owner of the canvas shop was not very helpful as to whether or not it needed a hold down strap.
Thanks again
 
Mike&Sarah said:
I installed an aftermarket command bridge Bimini top. It is 2 feet longer than the factory Bimini. We leave it up from June-Oct. the rest of the time I fold up the canvas on the frame and cover it with a custom fitted canvas cover or also called boot. Ours is a R31CB
Click to expand...
Where did you get the custom fitted cover made?
 
The frame is aluminum not stainless but has held up well. It’s in the open position from May-Sept
I did have to modify the main mounting legs to length them.
 
Mike&Sarah said:
The frame is aluminum not stainless but has held up well. It’s in the open position from May-Sept
I did have to modify the main mounting legs to length them.
Click to expand...

Salty bliss-75-Enhanced-NR.jpeg
 
The straps are attached to small eyelets attached to the front piece of fiberglass. The bimini came with our boat so I don't know how it all came together - sorry.
 
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