Towing with the aft leaning bimini top

Sealife

When I towed my new boat home from the factory, they recommended that I secure the bimini forward against the cabin top with wire ties. I guess they feel that at highway speeds, the wind buffeting can wear the fabric if left in the normally supported aft leaning position. What's our group recommendation? I'm leaving for a 7 hour drive Monday to the Sacramento Delta.

Sea Angel · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:08 pm Post subject:

Secure the top. Cable ties, reuseable or not, they are a cheap price for such an investment for the top.

Have a safe trip and let all of know how it went.

Robbi · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject:

I put a piece of gray pipe insulation at the point that the top comes into contact with the cabin roof. This will take any chafing and keep the cover for the top from having a hole worn into it. No matter how well you tie it down, you will get some movement. It also protects the fiberglass. I put a piece between the two uprights on the bimini and tie them together when placed forward. I always keep about 3 feet of the insulation on the boat. It comes in handy for many things. I put a piece on the anchor chain in the chain locker to keep the noise of the chain hitting the hull from driving me nuts. Doesn't take much. Confused

Robbi

journey on · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject:

We towed journey on down from Seattle, with the bimini laid forward, using bungee cords. Four of them, 2 ea. to tie up the forward legs, 2 ea to tie the top to the handholds. Get the cheap plastic ones, they don't scratch. Works great.

Boris

oldgrowth · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject:

I do it the same as Boris. Easy to do. Haven’t had any problems with chafing, scratching or wearing.

Salty-Cs · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 11:33 pm Post subject:

Hey Mike,

-ours has an extra layer of fabric to cover the skylights we added on our trip to lake mojave a couple of seasons ago. we now remove the whole shootin' match and secure it in the cabin for long-distance trips...it may have cabin fever on our arrival to Rio Vista, but no more holes!

Sam

Luna C · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:19 am Post subject:

I bunjee for shorter trips, remove for longer.

Sealife · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:46 am Post subject:

Thanks, guys, for the quick replies. Bungees for me, plus chaffing gear.

C-WEED · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 4:54 pm Post subject:

I take mine off and turn it upside down. Then slide it in the cabin along the starboard side floor. Lift up on the back as the front pole slides under the v-birth opening. Then lower the back pole as it comes in thru the door. Now lean the bars to port. The aft bar end will lean on the backrest cushion of the aft dinette seat. This cushion holds it firmly in place no matter how far the tow. You can still acess the cabin as well.

CAVU · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject:

I have an aft mooring type cover that I always install when towing for long distance. I can remove my bows and stow them in the cockpit with the ends pointing toward the bow and slightly elevated above the built in step. The towing cover keeps everything clean and dry. I have the factory canvas and this may not work with other types.

thataway · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:10 pm Post subject:

As Cavu, We had a mooring slant back for the cockpit, but the bimini supports are on a slide, so when it is down, the bimini in its boot is on the aft deck/lazarette covers and under the mooring cover when trailering, on the C Dory 22.