How fast with bimini up??

[lake p.a.l.]

How fast do most of you guys run with the bimini up? Ours is a low profile with all stainless hardware with the nylon straps to secure it front and rear.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I want a low profile mesh top. Have all stainless hardware with nylon straps to and it does well, but gets sketchy over 65. I had to take it down coming back from Pirates on Friday because with the wind blowing and trying to outrun a storm, one of the straps loosened up completely.

 

[pipemn]

my first bimini started bending and tweaked out of shape under 65mph most time.had new one built and increased wall thickness on tubing plus had all fittings tig tacked in place.have cruised at 75mph long periods with no problems.60mph would probably be better ,don't like straps in front or deck hardware that was installed originally.I also have vented center strip.
SEAMS DREAMS did the work.

 

[CoolCruzin]

60 no problem on mine .
65 mph the top start going crazy .

 

[Outdrive1]

I was running mid 70's with mine this weekend. All mesh. Stainless poles with poles inside the poles. Lol. The straps were getting loud so that's as fast as I pushed it.

 

[j-bone]

How fast do most of you guys run with the bimini up? Ours is a low profile with all stainless hardware with the nylon straps to secure it front and rear.

There are a lot of variable to consider when deciding to run at high speeds.

1. Is it adjusted correctly. Correct angle, tight, etc.
2. Are your mounts thru bolted?
3. Once you have it completely adjusted correctly, you can remove the set screws, drill thru the pole and put a rivet in. Those set screws can come loose and if it shifts at high speed it could cause a chain reaction which could cause major damage and possibly injure passengers.

I don't have the mesh on my 8ft bimini yet, but I have had it up at 60mph. Depending on the direction of the wind it can feel a little sketchy.

I'll be having mesh put in during the off season. I hear that makes a big difference.

 

[RiverDave]

How fast do most of you guys run with the bimini up? Ours is a low profile with all stainless hardware with the nylon straps to secure it front and rear.

Is it mesh or does it have a mesh stripe?

 

[CobraDave]

Mine is the normal all fabric no mesh with poles and straps. There is a sticker on there that says not to go over 50 so that's where I keep it

 

[Outdrive1]

There are a lot of variable to consider when deciding to run at high speeds.

1. Is it adjusted correctly. Correct angle, tight, etc.
2. Are your mounts thru bolted?
3. Once you have it completely adjusted correctly, you can remove the set screws, drill thru the pole and put a rivet in. Those set screws can come loose and if it shifts at high speed it could cause a chain reaction which could cause major damage and possibly injure passengers.

I don't have the mesh on my 8ft bimini yet, but I have had it up at 60mph. Depending on the direction of the wind it can feel a little sketchy.

I'll be having mesh put in during the off season. I hear that makes a big difference.

I had my fittings tig welded. Yes, you need your mounts through bolted.

 

[Sbarry]

I was running mid 70's with mine this weekend. All mesh. Stainless poles with poles inside the poles. Lol. The straps were getting loud so that's as fast as I pushed it.

Funny I was gonna ask if yours is mesh. Was looking at some pictures of you running hard with it up. [emoji106]🏼

 

[CoolCruzin]

I had my fittings tig welded. Yes, you need your mounts through bolted.

After welding the ends did it help a lot ?
Seems like that would be a thing to do .
I like to do this .

 

[TCHB]

The problem is that at high speed if something fails all hell can break loose. I saw a magic top fail and tangled up the women passenger which pulled her out of the boat.

There are so many variables like size, angle, supports, wind conditions, and I am sure there are many more.

I do not like to go over 60 anymore after recently bending one of my SS long tubes that are the thicker wall.

 

[fishing fool]

For those of you that have straps that make noise give them one twist and it will stop them from moving.

55mph for me

 

[Racey]

Also you want the good cast brass or stainless hooks, not the wire ones. The wire ones will peel open with enough pressure, ask me how i know

 

[purrfecttremor]

How fast do you run your tremor SB? Mine isn't mesh and depending on wind conditions I only run 45 or 50. I saw one come in to Shockwave that bent at high speed and wow it looked really dangerous!

 

[plaster dave]

I do about 50-55 only.

 

[Sbarry]

How fast do you run your tremor SB? Mine isn't mesh and depending on wind conditions I only run 45 or 50. I saw one come in to Shockwave that bent at high speed and wow it looked really dangerous!

Same here. Gonna be changing mine this offseason.

 

[Ziggy]

As fast as my boat will go...not more than 60

 

[BHC Vic]

Do u know if I can pull mine off and have the two stripes made into mesh? Don't want to pay for a whole new Bimini is rather not put it up

 

[Sbarry]

Do u know if I can pull mine off and have the two stripes made into mesh? Don't want to pay for a whole new Bimini is rather not put it up

I sure hope so. That's my plan too if it saves money. And I want a whole new frame. Low profile [emoji106]🏼

 

[purrfecttremor]

Do u know if I can pull mine off and have the two stripes made into mesh? Don't want to pay for a whole new Bimini is rather not put it up

There is a place in Havasu that did a friends and did a good job.

 

[BHC Vic]

I sure hope so. That's my plan too if it saves money. And I want a whole new frame. Low profile [emoji106]🏼

I have no idea if mine is low profile. But any lower I think it would be in my way. I was running like 65 trying to catch john and it did ok but im not sure how long it could take that

 

[purrfecttremor]

I sure hope so. That's my plan too if it saves money. And I want a whole new frame. Low profile [emoji106]

With a low profile frame would you still be able to stand up?

 

[Sbarry]

I have no idea if mine is low profile. But any lower I think it would be in my way. View attachment 427665

Yours is standard but looks good. Mine is like an EZ-Up. LOL. Want to drop it about 8-12" and make it flatter...

 

[Sbarry]

With a low profile frame would you still be able to stand up?

I'm not very tall... 5'10"

So if I have to duck just a little, I'm good with it.

 

[Sbarry]

I personally like 2FF's style..

 

[djunkie]

Faster than I should be I know that. Lol. Mine has a tag on it that says not to exceed 35. I think I might have been going a little faster here. [emoji15][emoji15]

 

[Mrs.Racer277]

I do about 50-55 only.

Ditto

 

[steamin rice]

I don't go much faster than 50 mph or so with the bimini up. I have stainless hardware amd tubes plus 2 mesh stripes, but I don't want to risk damaging the bimini so I don't go too fast with the top up,

 

[Sbarry]

I don't go much faster than 50 mph or so with the bimini up. I have stainless hardware amd tubes plus 2 mesh stripes, but I don't want to risk damaging the bimini so I don't go too fast with the top up,

That's interesting... So two mesh stripes and does it still balloon? Or are you just being cautious?

I'm contemplating replacing the stripes with mesh vs. full mesh like 2FF's above.

 

[RCDave]

I do about 65 on a all canvas bimini. But it's heavy duty stainless and low profile.

 

[CoolCruzin]

I have no idea if mine is low profile. But any lower I think it would be in my way. View attachment 427665 I was running like 65 trying to catch john and it did ok but im not sure how long it could take that

Running 65 the top was ok .I pushed it to 70 and had to slow down ,the top was shaking a lot .
The wife likes the top up when it hot . Got to keep her happy.

 

[BHC Vic]

That's interesting... So two mesh stripes and does it still balloon? Or are you just being cautious?

I'm contemplating replacing the stripes with mesh vs. full mesh like 2FF's above.

Yup that's what I want. I'm no seamstress but figured they could cut my stripes out and put some mesh ones in. I could be wrong though

 

[BHC Vic]

Running 65 the top was ok .I pushed it to 70 and had to slow down ,the top was shaking a lot .
The wife likes the top up when it hot . Got to keep her happy.

I was running pretty hard on the way to the dam so I kept it down. I put it up on the way back but It was making some noise so I took it down.

 

[Ultra247]

I've run 68/70 with mine up. It's full mesh, 8 foot with front and rear poles. No straps. I asked for a bimini that will go over 70 with no problems. It is double wall stainless. The mesh tends to whistle a little above 55. The poles stay very stable!

 

[Sbarry]

Yup that's what I want. I'm no seamstress but figured they could cut my stripes out and put some mesh ones in. I could be wrong though

That was my thought too... But who knows. Lol

Shockwave quoted me a completely new top and frame, so if I can save a little material it might help. Although I'm sure it's mostly labor dollars in the price. Can't imagine that material costing too much.

 

[Sbarry]

I've run 68/70 with mine up. It's full mesh, 8 foot with front and rear poles. No straps. I asked for a bimini that will go over 70 with no problems. It is double wall stainless. The mesh tends to whistle a little above 55. The poles stay very stable!

Where do the poles fold to when stowed away?

 

[28Eliminator]

65 max with mine and its full canvas. 10 years and no problems.

The only thing I notice is that my boat is a lot more turbulent in the cockpit with the Bimini up. With it down, almost no wind, and much quieter. Anybody else have this?? It's a much nicer ride with the top down.... But the sun [emoji15]

 

[Sbarry]

How fast do most of you guys run with the bimini up? Ours is a low profile with all stainless hardware with the nylon straps to secure it front and rear.

Do you have a picture of yours?

 

[Your ad here]

Like Fishing Fool said put a twist in the lines to stop the buzzing. When they are buzzing they are also tearing apart and will snap when going full speed I have a low Bimini with all stainless hardware and is through bolted. I've taken it up to 55-60 and it still looks and performs like new.

 

[Sbarry]

65 max with mine and its full canvas. 10 years and no problems.

The only thing I notice is that my boat is a lot more turbulent in the cockpit with the Bimini up. With it down, almost no wind, and much quieter. Anybody else have this?? It's a much nicer ride with the top down.... But the sun [emoji15]

Noisy, yes. Haven't noticed the wind issue, but the boat performs completely different at almost all speeds, and sure sucks fuel like crazy. Hence the desire for mesh..

 

[Ultra247]

The thing is super heavy. It takes two people to put it up. The poles fold into a package but it's a trick to get it up without hitting the gel coat. I've already got two spots that I have to have repaired and I've only had the bimini for 6 months. once it's up, it's great!

 

[plaster dave]

65 max with mine and its full canvas. 10 years and no problems.

The only thing I notice is that my boat is a lot more turbulent in the cockpit with the Bimini up. With it down, almost no wind, and much quieter. Anybody else have this?? It's a much nicer ride with the top down.... But the sun [emoji15]

I do. Motor sounds different with the top up. But the stereo is louder with it up.

 

[BHC Vic]

The thing is super heavy. It takes two people to put it up. The poles fold into a package but it's a trick to get it up without hitting the gel coat. I've already got two spots that I have to have repaired and I've only had the bimini for 6 months. once it's up, it's great!

Those were my questions. I've only put mine up a few times and every timers the clips on the straps have hit the gel. That's y I don't like it. I feel like it's more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Sbarry]

The thing is super heavy. It takes two people to put it up. The poles fold into a package but it's a trick to get it up without hitting the gel coat. I've already got two spots that I have to have repaired and I've only had the bimini for 6 months. once it's up, it's great!

Good info. Thanks!

Nice sled btw [emoji106]🏼

 

[t&y]

Those were my questions. I've only put mine up a few times and every timers the clips on the straps have hit the gel. That's y I don't like it. I feel like it's more trouble than it's worth.

My Carrera Bimini had straps front and rear. After smacking the Gel a few times I learned a little better way to handle it. I would get the bimini mounted then hook the two back straps to the mounts before I ever raised the front. Once they were hooked I would slowly fold it forward holding onto the strap closest to me and let the strap on the other side gently hit the gel instead of swinging around and smacking the tops & sides of the boat. Worked great. Even better when you have someone else in the boat helping you.:thumbup:

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Depends on weather. I'm heading into the wind, or on a down wind run.

I take it down if I'm maneuvering in close quarters (Channel, Marina, fuel pump, etc...)

 

[crzy2bealive]

My boat can only go 55 and my Bimini holds up well

 

[t&y]

I've run 68/70 with mine up. It's full mesh, 8 foot with front and rear poles. No straps. I asked for a bimini that will go over 70 with no problems. It is double wall stainless. The mesh tends to whistle a little above 55. The poles stay very stable!

That Bimini looks great. My bucket needs a new one for sure. How does the full mesh do as far as keeping the sun from beating down on you? I've heard mixed reviews from some of the builders.

 

[prosthogod]

Ok no HTM jokes. I ran my HTM Bimini up all the time. Full mesh, typical shaped with f.ront and rear straps. Ran 80-90 all the time no issues. Left it up trailer inc back to house even. You twist the straps a couple times to eliminate noise. My next boat , a magic 28 septor , I changed the fabric top to mesh and did the same thing. Love having shade all the time.