2015 and later 230: Z5 Bimini vs. regular Bimini?

[charlesml3]

Gang,

I'm looking for information regarding the SAN 230 bimini tops. On the "Design your Nautique" thingy it lists them separately, but there's very little information on what the differences are. Can anyone help? What's the cost difference between the two?

I understand the Z5 goes under the speakers. Does that drastically reduce headroom?

If you have photos, that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

-Charles

[NautiqueJeff]

The Z5 does reduce headroom, but I wouldn't say drastically.

It must be completely removed (including the arms) to fold the tower. Not sure if you do that or not.

MSRP prices are as follows for 2017:

Bimini - Tower Mounted: $3,705
Bimini - Tower Mounted with Surf Pockets: $4,122
Bimini - Z5: $6,398

[charlesml3]

OK, that helps quite a bit. Does one of them provide any more shade than the other?

Thanks a ton!

-Charles

[Neverenough]

The Nautique Bimini works great.

[swatguy]

3700 for a factory Bimini. Daum. . I thought 850 for mine was steep.


The z5 is great if you're in a hot area and can keep it deployed a majority of the time. Otherwise as mentioned to lower the tower or tow long distances it needs to come off and have somewhere to put it

In general the under the tower biminis give more protection for a longer duration than the over the tower counterparts, just at a cost of headroom. In this case the Z5 would follow that same general rule.

[jotunheim]

How much time does it take to remove the Z5 completely? How about to put back on? Is it something that is designed for repeated cycles, or would it wear out prematurely?

[NautiqueJeff]

Four pins. Comes off very quickly and easily, but it doesn't fold or anything, so you have to have somewhere to store it when it is not on the boat.

[jotunheim]

Thanks Jeff,

Storage should not be an issue, however, is it something that can sit inside the boat (with the cover on) while in transit and not get damaged or do the same to the boat? Swatguy mentioned that you should not trailer long distances with it attached.

[NautiqueJeff]

You can trailer long distances with it attached with no issues. The new ones allow you to roll up the Sunbrella material into zippered pockets on the top, so there is no concern with towing long distances with it on the boat.

It does not fit well inside the boat. That being said, I have placed it overtop of my engine on a G23, and used a tower-down cover overtop of it to hold it in place. That has worked well, but you have to be careful to pad it so that it doesn't get scratched or scratch the boat. I used pipe insulation around the frame.

You can see the contour of the Z5 under my cover in this picture.

[nyryan2001]

The OEM Bimini is A+++.

yes it's crazy pricey, but it's the best Bimini on the market anywhere IMO.

after a month of using it... It'll all make sense.

however.. If you tow long distances in the highway... You'll need to shim the bars where they fold with 12" sections of floaty noodle... Or the road action will cause them to scissor an hole in the Bimini and or the boot.

[robertsmcfarland]

might be a little late for your your decision,,,but have had the Z 5 on all my nautiques since its came out , dont trailer much, if I do I leave it up,great sun protection ,keep 3 boards on top all the time, with the standard straps, strong frame , could sit on top if you wanted,,, when I do take off or replace I do it my self,, hard ware made so you could remove and replace every day of summer with no wear,,, like Jeff said , four pins, and it lifts off, all my buddies are 6'2 or taller , never complain about it being too low,, (maybe happy to be on a G23)

[charlesml3]

Gotcha, I won't be trailering at all. In fact, I won't even buy a trailer with the boat so that really isn't a decision point. Are there any downsides to the Z5 other than the price?

Thanks!

-Charles

[csa]

I have a '15 230 with Z5. It provides a ton of shade. Only headroom issue we've experienced is going from bow back under the top. Not a big deal you learn pretty quick to duck. Once top is removed I just unscrew one screw off each arm so when i fold tower down the arms can pivot up. I only do this while putting it up for winter, otherwise it's on a lift. I would not want to do that every outing. Not hard just another time consumer. We are very satisfied and we thought it looked better, but that's personal preference.

[laynewest]

I have 230 with Z5. Love it! We do keep on lift so it only comes off for winter storage. My wife and I are both over 6' tall and only time we hit the bimini is when walking from bow back. Storage benefits are huge. We keep our surfboards up there.

[charlesml3]

Thank you all for the great information. I've discussed it with my dealer and we're going to go with the Z5. Yea, it's ridiculously priced, but it seems like a good option.

-Charles