G23 Bimini

[swankster]

I just picked up my G23 with the Z5 bimini and found out that all 4 of the surf boards that I own will fit in the passenger seat locker, which leaves the racks for the boards!!! The question now is do I sell the Z5 and go with the factory bimini for more headroom? I have to remove the Z5 to put the boat into storage and it removes very easy, a one person job. The question I have is how does the factory top work when you have to lower the tower?

[uncalumx2]

It removes or pivots forward as you lower the tower. Simple one person job. I just got my g23 last week so I barely know what I am doing. Someone who is more knowledgeable will chime in I hope.

[JamesHawk101]

I may not be as knowledgeable but we have the factory and the head room is amazing. Deffinantly get it. I haven't put the tower down with it on yet but it seems easy.

[bradw]

How hard the factory one to pull off to get the tower down? The side brackets on the Z5 look like a real pain to take off each time.

To get the G into the car port it has to be under 2560mm so its going to be a close fit. I like the look of the Z5 over the factory one but i think the factory option will be more practical get the boat in/out of the car port.

[uncalumx2]

You can leave the factory cover on and just release the front two hand screws then tilt the tower all the way down without even taking it off the mounting points in the rear. If you do this the cover rests just on top of the windshield, adding an inch or two, but I was told that there is a better way to support the cover rather than using the windshield and white lake is sending me something?

Or you can remove the cover completely by taking out the two rear pins, leaving only the factory brackets on the tower. Either way the tower goes all the way to its lowest point.

I have taken it off once and it seemed easy. Putting it back on wasn't bad either.

[nyryan2001]

Ok, I about threw up some when i saw the $3k price for the factory bimini...and actually tried to not get it and do an aftermarket one or do without. I mean $3k? really?

Now, with that being said, I LOVE IT. Hands down, it is the best quality, designed and easiest to use bimini I have ever seen or used. I trailer every time, so I have to put up and down every time, truly takes about 30 seconds max to put up or down. the way its contured on the sides is awesome. provides excellent shade. Zero rattle in the entire thing, the front supports so strong I can do pullups off of it. I am 6'1" and will never bang my head even with the rev10s. Love that bimini.... its a perfect blend of function and form.

I nominate a $10k bonus to the CC guy who designed that bimini.

[JamesHawk101]

The only thing I have hit my head on are the tower speakers. Almost all my friends have done it jumping into the boat from the pad area. We call it getting "bricked" because those things pretty much are bricks. I have yet to hit my head on the Bimini itself though, I am 5'11" and most of my friends are just as tall if not taller.

[nyryan2001]

OEM speakers or Rev10s? Absolutely no issues with Rev10s if mounted on the sides properly with racks inverted.

[JamesHawk101]

OEM speakers or Rev10s? Absolutely no issues with Rev10s if mounted on the sides properly with racks inverted.

OEM. Yah I have seen the Rev10s give you a bit more clearance.