G23 Bimini Support When Folding Tower?

[jlliles87]

I bought a 2014 G23 that came with the flight control tower and bimini. When folding the tower down, Im having a problem with the bimini frame (where the threaded knob goes through) scratching the windshield unless I have a person in the bow strictly for holding the bimini off the glass. The only info I can find is this video showing the tower folding process on this tower and this guy lets go of the bimini and it holds itself up. Is there a part I'm missing on my bimini or do I have to find a way to add gas shocks to keep my bimini off the windshield? Here is the video im referencing at the 1:30 mark

[Scooter G]

Did the '14's not come with gas struts? They are stainless steel beasts on my '16, very potent. The Strut rods run about an inch above the windshield frame with the tower down, nothing touches the windshield or frame.

[GMLIII]

jlliles87 just run a 2 x 8 piece of lumber across your windshield frame to hold bimini off of windshield. I have used this method for years on my 2017 G when I put my boat in the lift over the winter so I can raise the boat higher in the lift during the off season; works great. I even drilled a large door knob size hole in the 2 x 8 so I can hang it on my dock when not in use.

[NautiqueJeff]

Early G-series boats had a pole for support. See this thread for more info.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...3-2022-changes

[jlliles87]

Early G-series boats had a pole for support. See this thread for more info.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...3-2022-changes

Yes in your post Home there are two pics showing some sort of support post at the end of the bimini. Is that a piece that is always there and I just havent noticed it?

[jlliles87]

Did the '14's not come with gas struts? They are stainless steel beasts on my '16, very potent. The Strut rods run about an inch above the windshield frame with the tower down, nothing touches the windshield or frame.

Not that I can tell. Do you happen to have a pic or a part number of this piece? I can't find any info/pics anywhere of the bimini components for me to cross reference. Do the struts you're referencing stay fixated to the bimini or somewhere else? That would be exactly what I need or maybe theres a piece I haven't noticed like Jeff mentioned

[jlliles87]

I talked to a dealer a bit ago and apparently the 2015 is the first year they put a gas shock on the bimini. Does anybody have a pic of what this looks like so I can install one on my bimini?

[Scooter G]

I can grab some pics this eve if you are saying that you want pictures of the strut system. Our Bimini is off and doesn't go back on usually 'til mid June, we like the Sun.

[jlliles87]

Quote removed by Admin for not following the Guidelines for Quoting Previous Posts in a Thread.

Man that would be great! That way I can replicate the install on my 2014

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[Scooter G]

Not to leave you hanging, but I was a banshi on some other projects and never made it out to the shop. We are headed to the lake this afternoon, I'll snap some on the hookup.
They are available at Nautique Parts, but not sure if the design of your bimini would allow for the modification, same or different. Others on PN have probably forgotten more than I know on this topic. Best bet may be to grab some pictures of you bimini for comparison, I am familiar enough with the system (had it apart a time or 2) to eye ball it.
This is what it looks like x 2:

https://nautiqueparts.com/bimini-top...port-nautique/

Not sure if the attachment ends are available, that might take a call or email out to NP for clarification. They are usually pretty fast on response time, although this is there crankin' it up season. The description does say "Support shocks for Nautique bimini top used on most boats from 2014-On 26.75" long, 100 pound resistance", 100 lbs, I told you they were beasty, lol.