USCATX Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wake'n Up Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Have never towed with mine up and don’t seen a reason to do so as it takes only 5 mins or so to set up or take down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeTJ Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jones Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Never tow with it over 35 mph. I also never tow with my boards in the racks. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCATX Posted March 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucker626 Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Never tow with it over 35 mph. I also never tow with my boards in the racks. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wake'n Up Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jones Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 I agree with Mucker.....I'll go as much as 45 but anything more is asking for trouble. I've heard of wind gusts grabbing them and ripping them off before. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucker626 Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 I won’t be upset if something happened while towing. Give me good reason to have it redone with a much more user friendly Bimini. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeTJ Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donfather Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 My boat will do 49. But over 35 the bimini is definitely rattling. So I rarely go over 35. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeTJ Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 My boat will do 49. But over 35 the bimini is definitely rattling. So I rarely go over 35. Quit it with the 575 showoff action! 49 in a v-drive! Just damn. I rarely go over 35 either, but then again my boat tops out at about 39, so...... Aquaddiction and Wake'n Up 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucker626 Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Lol. Pinned I’m 35-36 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsmobiledriver Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Mine did 44 once when new! Then started the prop game and now only 35... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyperryd Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 I don’t drive my boat 75 often, but when I do...it’s off a waterfall! oldsmobiledriver, adam4x4 and Jake (((O))) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry123 Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 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 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jones Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I think my boat tops out at 32. Good ole 2775. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk bloodiestcadaver 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donfather Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I think my boat tops out at 32. Good ole 2775.Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk You should leave your bimini up. So when you run out of fuel you still have shade. Paul Jones, Wake'n Up and JeffO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake (((O))) Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I've ridden in my boat down the road with the bimini up. You'd be amazed how bad it gets once you start going over 40. It's going to tear itself up over time at those speeds. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk Hyperryd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ_MB Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 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 . That experience has been enough motivation for me to put it down at the end of each day. Paulj 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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