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View Full Version : How fast with Bimini up



bohica
05-23-2005, 02:01 PM
How fast do you drive when you have your bimini top up. It was blazin hot this weekend and managed to bust up my bimini. Hope they can fix it, $1500 is alot of money for a new one. :cry:

LHC30Victory
05-23-2005, 02:04 PM
I try to keep it below 60 with the top up.

TPI
05-23-2005, 02:05 PM
60ish

tamalewagon
05-23-2005, 02:05 PM
Most will have a warning not to go over 50 MPH.

Kilrtoy
05-23-2005, 02:06 PM
Driving with the top up is not an option.....

OutCole'd
05-23-2005, 02:08 PM
I don't push it past 50. At that speed the top is like a parachute & moving all over the place.

MissHavasuCig
05-23-2005, 02:10 PM
Mauricio in Dana Point made us one for the Cig that was rated to 80 mph... and since the Cig only ran in the low 80s the poor little bimini got dragged around that fast. Didn't have any problems at all! Maybe Mauricio could make you some different supports for it? Let me know if you want his number, he did our cockpit cover, full cover, and bimini for the Cig ~ top quality work!!
Good Luck!
Jody

Sixpacked
05-23-2005, 02:10 PM
We were only going about 35 when our bimini blew apart - the pole came flying back and hit my 4 year old son right across the forehead! Needless to say - I was pissed off, my boat manufacturer got an earfull from me too - but they replaced the bimini - no charge. Luckily my son was not seriously hurt, just a bruise and some fear of the rear seat.

Mrs. Bordsmnj
05-23-2005, 02:10 PM
We busted ours on the old boat doing between 50 and 55. We rarely used it though.
New boat doesn't have one. :D

J540
05-23-2005, 02:13 PM
75+, but its all stainless stuff and all the screws are tight and its thru bolted no wood screws. that is the KEY. slite down angle in front. but I would say 50/60 max.

Kilrtoy
05-23-2005, 02:15 PM
We were only going about 35 when our bimini blew apart - the pole came flying back and hit my 4 year old son right across the forehead!
That is exactly why we dont use it while driving....

Liberator TJ1984
05-23-2005, 02:15 PM
Driving with the top up is not an option.....
not even on plane yet at 70 huh :devil:

Chico&Zeus
05-23-2005, 02:17 PM
I have a Sunbrella that says 35 max, I run it at about 45...did it at 60 once and vibrated one of the pins out, slammed it into the sundeck HARD!

missboatnam1
05-23-2005, 02:19 PM
bohica i thought conquest had the super sonic bimini's!

Sixpacked
05-23-2005, 02:21 PM
That is exactly why we dont use it while driving....
Neither do we - anymore, it's just not worth the risk.

HM
05-23-2005, 02:30 PM
Mauricio in Dana Point made us one for the Cig that was rated to 80 mph... and since the Cig only ran in the low 80s the poor little bimini got dragged around that fast. Didn't have any problems at all! Maybe Mauricio could make you some different supports for it? Let me know if you want his number, he did our cockpit cover, full cover, and bimini for the Cig ~ top quality work!!
Good Luck!
Jody
I had one of those Mauricio high speed tops for my Campbell. Was totally bitchen except it blew off the first time I used it at 35 mph. They had forgotten to tighten some set screws. They also forgot to tell me they don't guarantee them at any speed. Filed a claim in small claims and got my money back. :smile:
The high speed ones are definitely heavier.....they are almost a two man job to hall them around.
We ran around for years with one on our 23' Sleekcraft...it actually ran faster with the top on (65 ish). If you are going to run at any speed, check the set screws, brackets, and straps & strap anchors - some or all of the attachments to the boat have sheet metal screws. I went through and through bolted them with nylocks.

bohica
05-23-2005, 02:45 PM
bohica i thought conquest had the super sonic bimini's!
Rattled the rear top pin out at 70 mph. Ripped that support arch out of the fabric and bent the side pole up pretty good. Smacked my buddy in the head pretty good too.
If the pin didn't rattle out, it's pretty sturdy at speed.
Manufacturer has a sticker on it that states do not operate boat with bimini open. :hammer2:
I had one of thsoe high speed biminis on my Magic. It was a mesh material, but didn't block out the sun too well.

Dr. Eagle
05-23-2005, 02:50 PM
I wouldn't go over 60 personally. And my boat makes it almost there... not quite to 60. The one I have now is a nice all stainless steel bimini.
I had one on an older boat that had the nylon fittings and it came undone at about 50 and cracked me in the head...

HM
05-23-2005, 02:55 PM
I had one on an older boat that had the nylon fittings and it came undone at about 50 and cracked me in the head...
That explains a lot. (http://www.bushwood.net/gilmore/happy01.wav)

Dr. Eagle
05-23-2005, 02:59 PM
That explains a lot. (http://www.bushwood.net/gilmore/happy01.wav)
Funny, I knew that was coming from somewhere... :D

HM
05-23-2005, 03:02 PM
Funny, I knew that was coming from somewhere... :D
:D

jbtrailerjim
05-23-2005, 03:03 PM
I occasionaly run with mine in the 60's. Not very often though. I figure I better not push my luck.

jackpunx
05-23-2005, 03:07 PM
I have a mesh bimini.. its rated pretty high.. and workes really well.. But .. I would never go over 75 with it..

RiverDave
05-23-2005, 03:08 PM
I don't usually run more then 30 - 35 with mine up.. Mine was built for the boat after we took delivery though, and I'm less then impressed with it. Looks good though. I've seen the Mesh ones on some HTM's and they were running 90 - 100 mph with them up. As others said though, they don't block out the sun like a normal canvas bimini.
RD

Kilrtoy
05-23-2005, 03:09 PM
I have a mesh bimini.. its rated pretty high.. and workes really well.. But .. I would never go over 75 with it..
Are you ever under 75...........

jackpunx
05-23-2005, 03:09 PM
I don't usually run more then 30 - 35 with mine up.. Mine was built for the boat after we took delivery though, and I'm less then impressed with it. Looks good though. I've seen the Mesh ones on some HTM's and they were running 90 - 100 mph with them up. As others said though, they don't block out the sun like a normal canvas bimini.
RD
I love mine.. it blocks out just enough of the sun to be comfy an still feel like your outside..
I could have used it this weekend..
but its at YOUR house RD :D

jackpunx
05-23-2005, 03:10 PM
Are you ever under 75........... :)
Well.. yes.. sometimes.. lool..
I cruise about 50-60

Kilrtoy
05-23-2005, 03:11 PM
:)
Well.. yes.. sometimes.. lool..
I cruise about 50-60
No not on the freeway towing...... :D :D :D

RiverDave
05-23-2005, 03:13 PM
I love mine.. it blocks out just enough of the sun to be comfy an still feel like your outside..
I could have used it this weekend..
but its at YOUR house RD :D
I don't have a house... I have Mark's parts storage now days.. LOL :D
RD

Phat Matt
05-23-2005, 03:14 PM
It depends how they are built. I ordered one for the new boat and it is built for speed. :D

chub
05-23-2005, 03:15 PM
bohica's buddy who got the smackdown = CHUB. :supp:

jackpunx
05-23-2005, 03:15 PM
I don't have a house... I have Mark's parts storage now days.. LOL :D
RD
LOL.. now that I think of it.. I got to get all that stuff back in there.. I think it adds character to the house .. and the garage looks great with all the toys.. just wait till I bring out the other stoker.. We'll put all the motocycles and the rhino in the living room.. and put 3 boats in the garage :2purples:

Captain Dan
05-23-2005, 03:15 PM
I run my boat the same, bimini or not - we can do about 70 and haven't had any problems. I set mine up with the front slightly lower than the rear so it doesn't act like a scoop....

OutCole'd
05-23-2005, 03:17 PM
bohica's buddy who got the smackdown = CHUB. :supp:
You should sue. :D

jackpunx
05-23-2005, 03:17 PM
bohica's buddy who got the smackdown = CHUB. :supp:
bohica gave you the smackdown? :2purples: :D

chub
05-23-2005, 03:21 PM
bohica gave you the smackdown? :2purples: :D
bohica's bimini gave me the smack down.

Debbolas
05-23-2005, 03:25 PM
Our Sea Ray had a bimini and the pins kept coming out when we were driving.
We had to always watch it, and our friends have a Chapparell who's bimini blew apart on them once at the river......
We keep ours down, when we go fast :D

bohica
05-23-2005, 03:30 PM
This was nothing compared to the smackdown he got from my 34' Magic :2purples:

chub
05-23-2005, 03:36 PM
This was nothing compared to the smackdown he got from my 34' Magic :2purples:
OKAY I WASN'T GOIN THERE!!! :hammerhea :hammerhea

stoker
05-23-2005, 03:43 PM
OKAY I WASN'T GOIN THERE!!! :hammerhea :hammerhea
Do tell :)

Beer-30
05-23-2005, 03:50 PM
I wouldn't push it over 30-35. Top up is for cruisin. Top down is for WFO.

chub
05-23-2005, 03:51 PM
Do tell :)
What are you taking "shiat starter 101" from bohica? :D

Havasu Hangin'
05-23-2005, 03:55 PM
Mine is mesh...it's much easier on the stainless hardware.

Beer-30
05-23-2005, 03:59 PM
Mine is mesh...it's much easier on the stainless hardware.
That really is the way to go if you travel with it up. Good job.

charlyox
05-23-2005, 04:05 PM
w.f.o.

dicudmore
05-23-2005, 04:10 PM
I have the mesh type as well...
WOT ;)

ULTRA28
05-23-2005, 04:38 PM
I've had mine to 90+ without a problem, but I'm still saying not to exceed 45mph. It's one of those do as I say not as I do things for anybody that buys a boat off of me.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/497biminiwithtails.jpg

4-B
05-23-2005, 05:04 PM
I'm comfortable with going 40-50 with both tops up. The tops need to be put together better that just using a few set screws and the mounting hardware needs to be bolted on for speed... otherwise you are going to have problems.

NashvilleBound
05-23-2005, 05:10 PM
I wouldn't push it over 30-35. Top up is for cruisin. Top down is for WFO.
Wheres your sense of adventure?

Beer-30
05-23-2005, 05:23 PM
Wheres your sense of adventure?
Right next to my wallet! :supp:

NashvilleBound
05-23-2005, 05:24 PM
Right next to my wallet! :supp:
LOL...I hear that! :rollside: :rollside: :rollside:

MAINEVENT
05-23-2005, 05:25 PM
Driving with the top up is not an option.....
Neither is driving with her top on :devil: :rollside:

Beer-30
05-23-2005, 05:26 PM
:D LOL...I hear that! :rollside: :rollside: :rollside:

burtandnancy
05-23-2005, 05:32 PM
If they are built correctly, you can go relatively fast and they won't parachute or balloon up. I personally cruise in the 50-60 range and use the bimini 100% of the time I boat, including poker runs. Mine is a combination of textaline mesh and canvas built by Custom Canvas in Montclair. I've used them for over 25 years of performance boating...

XtrmWakeborder
05-23-2005, 10:27 PM
53 mph..top speed lol!