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Towing with Bimini up on ‘15 F22


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I spent last season towing with my Bimini up (65 mph) and this week pulling my boat back to the lake from the dealer at 45 mph the front of the Bimini flipped up and sheared off the two pins mounted to the tower cross bar. I realize MB says don’t tow with the top up, but my dealer confirmed that lost people do and it isn’t an issue. Has anybody seen this before? I’m thinking about having a solid bar of aluminum welded through to the back of the tower bar to replace the nubs welded to the front and continuing to tow with it up.

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Well that would probably make the frame strong enough but I'd certainly expect to encounter tearing of the fabric itself a lot sooner by towing with it up at highway speeds. Have you looked into the cost of replacing the bimini fabric itself?  Might just be something to keep in mind.  Obviously, your boat, your money, your call but it's good to have a sense of what additional costs might go along with the choice.

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Never tow with it over 35 mph. I also never tow with my boards in the racks.

 

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I think the 35mph posting is more to push people away from towing with the top up. So if your boat is propped right and can do 45-50 on the lake you have to take it down?! I consistently tow with my top up at speeds of 55 but only for a 5 mile stretch from our camping property to the launch. I have had zero issues with that. Not saying the top won’t have issues later in life but my top takes more than 5 min to setup and pain in the ass! First Gen 2013. I think 65 is pushing it as i also think 55 is pushing it.
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Are you guys folding it or completely removing to tow? The sail shop wants $600 to remake the fabric with sunbrella fabric or polyester so I’m definitely not looking to be replacing again anytime soon.

I just fold up and use the included cover and leave it on the tower. Been wanting to get some long Velcro straps to tie up before putting the cover on which would make it even easier to put the cover on. If you look at my profile picture that’s how I tow.

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I just fold up and use the included cover and leave it on the tower. Been wanting to get some long Velcro straps to tie up before putting the cover on which would make it even easier to put the cover on. If you look at my profile picture that’s how I tow.

This is what I do as well. Takes a few minutes and when it is blazing hot outside I sweat like crazy standing out in the sun doing it but easy enough.

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The weld on nips for the 15 towers are warranted. Mine broke off in a storm last year. And the Bimini frame came down and cut my head open. I called mike and he sent me out. What look like tower speaker clamps. The frame recesses in to them. It’s not as clean looking as the weld on nipples. But it’s free

 

 

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I had a pole break when we were demoing the boat.  It was a windy day and I was testing out the top speed.  I didn't see the 35 MPH limit tag until after it happend :D .  That experience has been enough motivation for me to put it down at the end of each day. 

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