Highway Towing With Bimini In Place

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PNW_Wesley

New member
Installing and removing the bimini each time we go out is more work than I would like, especially when I’m single-handed. Having it in place reduces the amount of rain falling into the aft cockpit while we are enjoying the winter on the river.

I would like to safely tow on the highway with the bimini frame in place, with the canvas wrapped around the horizontal poles. I do not have a “boot” to wrap the canvas in, but I could use multiple straps to keep it bundled.

The bimini frame attaches to the boat in 4 places.

I am concerned that the wind loading and vibration could stress or damage the attaching hardware or the boat.

Is towing with the bimini stowed in this manner feasible and safe?



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When towing my boat, the bimini is collapsed and in a boot. The whole bundled bimini is tilted forward and rests on the back edge of the cabin roof. There are straps that attach the bimini bundle to the roof hand rails.

Never had any problems towing it this way.
 
I tow using the same technique describe by ssobol. I use bungee straps around the boot and clipped to the cabin top handrails that keep it in place against the cabin top. We’ve towed many thousands of miles with never any sort of issue, nor any sign of wear and tear on the bimini boot, the bimini itself, or frame structure.
 
Same here towing my boat. Bimini wrapped around the frame, with a boot, and layed forward against the roof with straps to hold it in place. For short distances I'll tow it in the aft position. Very short distances. Colby
 
For long distances and storage I keep the Bimini off the frame. Frame up and bows folded back. I have seen some damage to boot and to Bimini wrapped around the frame and securely tied with long tows. The issue with long tows is that you can have high winds, plus the tow vehicle speed. Or heavy crosswinds. I have had these even unwrap motor home awnings, which were in housings.

If the Bimini is just wrapped with ties or bungee cords, there are some edges of the fabric which may have not been turned over and finished, or bare hot knifed edges. These will fray. Occasionally there can be damage to thread and chafe when wrapped tightly around the frame with ties etc.

I may tow short distances with the Bimini on the frame.

I much prefer a cockpit slant back to keep the cockpit covered when not in use.
 
thataway":1qpzqupa said:
<snip>

I much prefer a cockpit slant back to keep the cockpit covered when not in use.
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Be careful with the slant back mooring cover when traveling. I had one come unsnapped and proceed to beat the snot out of the Honda 90 cowl. I had to replace the cowl, and have Bentley’s fix the mooring cover.
 
For long distances and storage I keep the Bimini off the frame. Frame up and bows folded back. I have seen some damage to boot and to Bimini wrapped around the frame and securely tied with long tows. The issue with long tows is that you can have high winds, plus the tow vehicle speed. Or heavy crosswinds. I have had these even unwrap motor home awnings, which were in housings.
Click to expand...

With all my towing (10,000 miles a year, and many times over 1000 miles at a time), I've never had any issues with the bimini in the position I mentioned earlier. I've towed in some pretty strong winds, including cross winds. It's actually somewhat protected by the top of the roof in front of it. While Midnight Flyer's bimini rested mostly behind the high top, C-Traveler's bimini does protrude slightly above the high part of the roof. But the boot is heavy material, and I keep the straps pretty snug. I also place a towel between the roof and bimini to keep it from any rubbing. Although with the straps tight, it really can't move. I do believe in the back position you have several issues. One it is in the wind stream, and two, unless you have it strapped securely some way, it can sway side to side with any side forces. I have also on a few occasions towed with it in the open position. However, never more than 10-20 miles, and that would be primarily through town and a short distance on country roads. (Going to the local lakes.) That would be about the only time I would have it in the folded back position with the boot as well. For any long distance towing, I revert to the folded forward with boot. Colby
 
When I brought mine home from Seattle it was in the boot in the rear position it had beat holes all over in it. The factory made me new canvas as it was destroyed. I would says as fast as the boat can travel on water your ok. Otherwise I remove my canvas when traveling. I leave the frames in the rear position and cross brace with ropes.
 
Ever see a sailbote roller furled, or other, genoa canvas unfurl and/or flog in a
blow? Not pretty, destructive and dangerous to manage, even at a dock.

Intentionally exposing any unsecured or poorly secured flat canvas to winds at
hwy speeds seems unwise, probably neglectful.

I know. I know. You can do what you want. Realize your actions, Captain, reflect
on the rest of us.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "No man is an island."
 
When our Bimini was first installed in Florida I followed the advice of the builder and what I had read here and booted it against the cabin top. We then headed to the Great Lakes and when we opened it for the first time we found two small holes and several worn areas where it had rubbed against one of the center cross bars. Since then we remove it and store it in the cabin if we will be traveling at highway speed for any amount of time. We leave the frame in the rear position and bungee it. After nearly 165000 miles of trailering my first mate has become very proficient at putting it up. When we launch the boat she usually has it up within 15 minutes of leaving the ramp.

Bill
 
Chafe is a well known enemy on a boat. It often occurs silently until the damage is
done. The failure can be dramatic but doesn't have to be - like seeing holes in
your bimini canvas when you unroll it.

A dramatic failure I heard in the middle of the night somewhere in the Atlantic. It
seems the port #4 jib 3/4" dacron sheet chafed on some deck hardware. When it
let go, the sound was like a rifle shot. It had been under considerable tension
which caused the proximal free end to snap back thru a fairlead with such speed
and violence the dacron partially melted and jammed in the lead. We had to chisel
it out with a large screw driver and hammer.

The sea is a terrible teacher. First you get the test. If you survive it, the lesson
follows later.

Aye.
 
When our Bimini was first installed in Florida I followed the advice of the builder and what I had read here and booted it against the cabin top. We then headed to the Great Lakes and when we opened it for the first time we found two small holes and several worn areas where it had rubbed against one of the center cross bars. Since then we remove it and store it in the cabin if we will be traveling at highway speed for any amount of time. We leave the frame in the rear position and bungee it. After nearly 165000 miles of trailering my first mate has become very proficient at putting it up. When we launch the boat she usually has it up within 15 minutes of leaving the ramp.

Bill
 
outbackbill":1eqqkt3m said:
When our Bimini was first installed in Florida I followed the advice of the builder and what I had read here and booted it against the cabin top. We then headed to the Great Lakes and when we opened it for the first time we found two small holes and several worn areas where it had rubbed against one of the center cross bars. Since then we remove it and store it in the cabin if we will be traveling at highway speed for any amount of time. We leave the frame in the rear position and bungee it. After nearly 165000 miles of trailering my first mate has become very proficient at putting it up. When we launch the boat she usually has it up within 15 minutes of leaving the ramp.

Bill
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That’s an extreme amount of towing if all those miles were towing your C-Dory. I’d appreciate your general sharing of this accomplishment. We’ve been towing our CD22 for the last 18 years with many long distance trips & are only about half your amount. The good part of our miles made was having only 2 flats, minor other problems & no bearing or brake trouble.

Jay
 
I have towed about 20,000 miles with Venture 23.
Only first 10 with. up.
To hard on equipment unless going to tow at 35 mph.

I found not that big of deal to install before launch or
of not sure I will need right away will put up when needed.

My side curtains have only been use 3 times. Like new just haven't needed much.

Probably this is the same answer others give.
 
Chafe is the enemy of the two oldest professions, prostitution and sailing.
Any flapping in the wind will cause damage.
Before I got a cover (boot?) for the bimini I lowered it, wrapped it tightly around the frame and used numerous tie wraps with release triggers to prevent any flapping. Now the boot replaces the tie wraps for the most part, I still put them on the boot ends where wind could separate the zipper.
 
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