G23 Bimini

[Dingus]

Just bought a G23! Towing and Tower help!

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and, of course, have a couple of questions.

First, here's what I think I know:

1) There is some difference between the Z5 designed for the G23 vs the 230/others. (My questions are specifically for the G23 version)
2) The Z5 bimini portion is fairly easy to remove.
3) The Z5 bimini mounting brackets rest/interfere with the driver's armrest, preventing the tower from folding completely down.

So, this weekend I will be picking up a low-hour, 2013 G23 that I just purchased (Fist pump!), and I'm hoping your experience can help me figure out the best tower/cover configuration for an 8 hour haul.

I'm thinking that the "best" option would be to tow with the tower down, under the factory mooring cover.

Questions:

#1) After removing the Z5 bimini, where is the best place to put it for transport? (Does it fit in the boat?)
#2) What tools do I need to remove the mounting bracket so that the tower folds completely down?
#2B) Is it correct to assume that with the Z5 mounting bracket removed, the tower will fold down enough to cover with the mooring cover?
#3) Is it OK to tow long distance with the mooring cover (will wind flapping scratch the boat??)

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!

-Dingus

[nyryan2001]

First, I dont know anything about hte Z5.

My 2 cents: leave it up and tow as it is, dedicate some time after you arrive to wipe everything down. The factory covers can and will scratch your gel.

I can post pics of how these same covers(exact same material) sand papered the gunnels of my Malibu at 70-75mph for 3 hrs on one trip. The dealer and everyone else sayin the cover was trailerable... just put it on super tight. BS. as that cover stretches tight..and moves from the wind... and it will def move... thats pulling a abrasive material across your gel in a repetitive pattern and will create scratches.

I'd rather dealer with dirt, grime and rain than gel damage. I tow 3-4hrs to get down to my dealer... I do those longer tows when the weather is favorable.

Now, with that being said, this last time I lowered the tower for the 3-4hr tow. Nautique provides tower bracing blocks that go in the tower joints when folded to reduce movement, you can see it in the pic on the port side.....there was still movement in there... like 1/2" and it got wild, depending on the rhytm of the bumps. I had to pull over and use a rachet strap between the tower and the seat base to cinch it tight to keep it from bouncing.

Worked OK I guess.... little easier to tow perhaps. But big PITA putting it down and dealing with the bouncing. Next time I'll just tow with the tower up.

[vision]

Questions:

#1) After removing the Z5 bimini, where is the best place to put it for transport? (Does it fit in the boat?)
#2) What tools do I need to remove the mounting bracket so that the tower folds completely down?
#2B) Is it correct to assume that with the Z5 mounting bracket removed, the tower will fold down enough to cover with the mooring cover?
#3) Is it OK to tow long distance with the mooring cover (will wind flapping scratch the boat??)

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!

-Dingus

You can store in the boat. Just wrap some towels around the ends and strap it down.

Allen wrench. I want to say 1/4", but it is a std allen wrench. Two bolts hold each side bracket to the tower.

No idea on mooring cover. The mooring covers I have owned go on with the tower up not down. But I do not have a cover for my G.

Everyone will give you variable opinions on this question. Depends on fit of the cover.

[TX-Foilhead]

Don't know anything about the Z5 or the folding tower, but I know a trick about towing with a cover. Take a roll of the plastic used for wrapping boxes to a pallet and wrap the boat around the rub rail a few times. It keeps the flapping cover off the gel, have a friend who regularly tows long distances who showed me this and it works great. A pool noodle or pipe foam on the windshield trim will protect that.

[nyryan2001]

^^^ yep. I def would tow with the cover if I were to Saran Wrap the gunnels.

you can buy the larger rolls of shipping wrap at storage units that sell moving supplies.

[swankster]

Agreed, If you have the time take it off, strap it down, and shrink wrap around the rub rail.

If you don't have time or want to do all that, take the canvas off and make sure to use the front straps to hold the frame. Having the canvas off takes a lot of the stress off the frame and tower when you are towing.

If you want to stabilize the z5 frame make a post out of PVC pipe and a tee, 1 1/2 in dia works great. Cut the straight part of the tee in half and it will fit snugly around the frame and cut the pipe to the length you need and put a cap on the other end so you won't damage the flooring, carpet or Seadeck.

[swankster]

^^^ Sorry it is 1" not 1 1/2"

[mkaspro]

As someone who had a z5 and loved it on both the 210 and 230, i would definitely choose the nautique bimini, thats what we did on the G23 and never looked back.

You're right the boat has so much storage that other than having the tube strapdown we've never missed the z5. And its certainly easier to get in with the nautique bimini.. and tow with it as well the way it folds up.

[Dingus]

Thank you to everyone that weighed in. I took the advice that I received here to stow the Z5 bimini inside the boat, left the tower up, wrapped down to just below the rub rail with furniture moving "Saran Wrap", and I used pipe insulator "noodles" to completely cover the upper edge of the windshield. I then put the mooring cover on, cinched it down tight and then towed for 11 hours. Got home with absolutely no signs of wear on the boat from the cover.

Thanks everyone!