2018 G23 Bimini - towing question

[Team230]

I just added a Bimini to my new G23. I was originally going to look at an aftermarket Bimini but no one had one for me to see so I got the factory one.

My question is, what do you do about towing with a factory Bimini. Surely you can tow with it in place? If so, do I put the cover on?

I'll be driving on the highway for several hours, at times.

Thanks!


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[charlesml3]

There is no compelling reason to tow any boat with the bimini up. Fold it or find some way to secure it before you tow.

[ScooterMcgavin]

Yes absolutely you'll want the cover on. Fold it up and put the cover on, good to go.

[Tallredrider]

There is no compelling reason to tow any boat with the bimini up. Fold it or find some way to secure it before you tow.

It isn't what I call compelling, but some biminis are so complicated to put up that it takes several minutes roasting in the sun to get them up correct. IIRC, Malibu's bimini is that way. I love the Nautique stock bimini for that reason. It is big and very easy to set up and put down. Another vote here for putting it in the cover when you travel.

It bugs me to see someone flying down the freeway with the bimini up as much as it bugs me flying down the freeway having boards in the racks.

[charlesml3]

It isn't what I call compelling, but some biminis are so complicated to put up that it takes several minutes roasting in the sun to get them up correct. IIRC, Malibu's bimini is that way. I love the Nautique stock bimini for that reason. It is big and very easy to set up and put down. Another vote here for putting it in the cover when you travel.

It bugs me to see someone flying down the freeway with the bimini up as much as it bugs me flying down the freeway having boards in the racks.

When I was a kid I worked as a "gopher" at a marina. I saw dozens and dozens of them come in with bent poles, shredded canvas, and tattered straps because someone just couldn't be bothered to take 2 minutes to fold it down. Same goes for people towing with the cover on the boat. You really wouldn't believe how much damage a flapping cover could do over a two hour tow.

[Kmayotte]

There is no compelling reason to tow any boat with the bimini up. Fold it or find some way to secure it before you tow.

The stock Bimini is specifically designed to be towed while attached to the tower with the two outside flaps folded in and the cover on. It's extremely strong when folded up and also vulnerable when open at high speeds. It also will help make your boat more of a sail than it already is. Agree, no reason to tow it open unless it's literally a 1/4 mile under 20mph to the launch.

I've had our boat at WOT into a head wind so probably 50+ MPH winds with the bimini open trying to beat out a storm. It held but I don't think it would have held going much faster.

[Team230]

Thanks for all the feedback.

When I was saying "take it down" I meant literally disconnecting from the tower to the point that there is no Bimini on the boat. That sounded crazy to me, but thought it best to ask.

I always suspected it needed to be folded up and cover on to travel.

Anyone know if Nautique specifically tells you to not tow with the Bimini cover on (ie the Bimini folded with the cover on)?

The reason for the question is that my cover for the Bimini shredded itself where the edges were flapping.

I assume this is a warranty item.


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[Kmayotte]

Yes it's marketing as trailer-able/towable. I'd talk to your dealer about a warranty replacement. It's key to make sure the cover straps are super tight. Loosen the straps, fasten the buckles, then pull them very tight and velcro the loose end.

[ScooterMcgavin]

Anyone know if Nautique specifically tells you to not tow with the Bimini cover on (ie the Bimini folded with the cover on)?

No, it's designed to tow/trailer like that.

[blueroom]

The reason for the question is that my cover for the Bimini shredded itself where the edges were flapping.

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There is a certain to way to put the cover on that eliminates flapping, the way you tuck things around. It isn't obvious, but it works great and keeps everything solid at highway speeds. If you just slide it on and velcro it will shred up pretty fast. I'll try to get a pic that shows it.

[Team230]

Blueroom - a picture would be great. My cover is shredded at this point. Hopefully warranty covers it.

[Team230]

[blueroom]

Here are a couple of photos of the Bimini cover on our G. The trick is how you tuck up the bottom and run the straps to take up all the slack.

[BMANNING]

My cover shredded as well on a recent out of town trip. It was covered under warranty and received a new one earlier this week. I'm going to try installing it similar to blueroom's picture to see if this removes a lot of the slack on the outter ends. If this doesn't do the trick, I will be making a trip to the upholstery shop to have additional velcro strips added.

[blueroom]

It should. I have towed across several states on interstates with no flapping or issues. One time it just got slid on and strapped - like you likely had it - and 20 minutes down the road it started to fray.