Towing long distance with bimini

[Puffin1]

Has anyone successfully towed long distances with the bimini up? We did 1000 miles with it off, but struggled to get it stretched back on.. should it be wet when restretched onto frame? Any suggestions based on experience?

 

[baz]

The risk in towing long distance (and especially if towing speed at 50, 60 or 70 mph) with the Bimini up is high as to could/can be destroyed with the air dynamic forces. Thus the choice is really decided for you if you value your Bimini otherwise suffer the cost of replacing it. IMO it's not worth it.

Just how much of a PITA is it to re-erect ? How long did it take you ? The real point is that you were able to re-install it.

My advice is to not tow with it up.

 

[Puffin1]

Any suggestions to safely stretch the Bimini canvas back onto the frame? Should it be wet or dry? We ripped 3 seams putting it on "carefully" when dry and having been stored inside for 6 months.

 

[baz]

On my 2010 R-25 (Classic) I never folded my Bimini top. However, I've seen it folded on other boats and it looked as if it folded as the pole supports were angled to allow the Bimini to be wrapped in some sort of cover. If you can do that it would safe to tow in that state.

I do believe with canvas wet there's some extra stretch/expansion in the canvas. Your Bimini after 6 months of storage was then obviously very dry and maybe had shrunk some. That's bad luck for sure.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Any suggestions to safely stretch the Bimini canvas back onto the frame? Should it be wet or dry? We ripped 3 seams putting it on "carefully" when dry and having been stored inside for 6 months.

It will loosen up when wet.

The two hardest things on canvas are wind and sun. Towing with it up or leaving it up all the time are both bad for longevity. You can get a boot made so can be folded up and protected but left on the frame. Towing in that configuration is fine.

 

[knotflying]

There have been reports of successfully towing with it up. I did not believe it and when another tug owner showed up with his bimini shredded the myth was busted. I also recommend that you not roll it up and store it in the case that comes with it so you can travel with it rolled up on the rear support. Vibration and rubbing on the tubing causes it to wear through and it will develop wear holes. After I reinstall the bimini I get it zippered up as tight as possible and after a few nights of heavy dew it stretches out.

 

[harry ames]

You can get away with it for a few years, but as your canvas ages, and you don't know when that point is, you will find it torn on some future trip. I take mine down except for a rear piece that I roll around the frame then wrap it down with bungees.

 

[scross]

It’s probably just too early in the morning but I am confused by everyone’s descriptions.
Fully deployed Bimini to me means that the canvas is completely attached to the cabin roof and frame and the frame is fully open.
Then there’s detaching the canvas from the cabin roof, collapsing the frame and rolling the canvas around the collapsed frame and covering the canvas with the separate canvas bag or wrapper.
Finally there’s completely removing the Bimini canvas from the cabin roof and completely removing it from the frame so that the Bimini canvas can be stowed inside the cabin or the tow vehicle.
We have never towed with the Bimini canvas fully deployed for any distance. We have towed longer distances with the canvas rolled up around a collapsed frame with a cover and with the canvas completely removed and stowed in the truck. At 8 years old we have seen some seams starting to fail (and which have been repaired) but nothing I can attribute to towing.

 

[lbrown]

If u have zippers installed on the frame pockets on and off is easy