Driving with bimini open?

[Tstick333]

Can you do this? Should you do this? My bimini is too complicated to just open and close on a whim. So I was thinking of just leaving it open during the whole day of boating which would consist of pulling a slalom skier, tubbing, and wakeboarding.

Suggestions?

Ideas?

Thanks!

[Thomas2010]

Bimini Top

I have a 2010 Tige Z1 with the factory Bimini top plus the extension. I have had no problems leaving the top up. It goes up on the ramp and comes down a few days later when I pull the boat out.

[lalh20]

ummm.... thats what theyre made for - to provide shade while tubing slaloming etc. you will be fine. just dont trailer with it up

[Jeffe]

I drive like 80 down the freeway with my bimini up & all my wakeboards in the racks...that way people think im cool because I wakeboard.







I full of ****...I don't even wakeboard & no one thinks wakeskating is cool.

[Thomas2010]

Bimini

The manual that came with my Bimini stated that the top speed with the top should be less than 45MPH. With my Z1, 45MPH is about as fast as it can go.

[ajholt7]

Yep, put it up when you hit the water and take it down when you head home. Makes the day much more enjoyable.

[whitlock87]

I have the factory and a second top. (The second top is only for AZ, as it get up to 123 there)
I have driven the boat at speeds up to 48mph with no issues.
I only close it when towing.

[sooner25]

i just lost mine to lake texoma a few weekends ago. wasn't even close to going at wakeboarding speed. everyone says you can do it, but mine didn't last long.

[skippabcool]

i just lost mine to lake texoma a few weekends ago. wasn't even close to going at wakeboarding speed. everyone says you can do it, but mine didn't last long.

How did you lose it? Were the screws loose or did the come loose? Did the bimini material rip apart? Did the poles buckle? What exactly happened?

I ask so I will know. I put mine up at the lake and have been fine, even with the wind kicking up. I do take mine down, all the way down and off the tower to travel. Not necessary, but I do not like it rubbing the tower, previous owner did that. I do have the boot for it but I also like that the poles are not taking any unneeded force and I figure that it will last longer.

[Mitches]

Lost mine the first time out on the water in my new 2010 RZ2. Was doing probably 20mph in to a 15mph wind. it taco-d when one of the ends came out the frame. The crimp didn't hold. Thankfully the top didn't hit anyone. Took it to dealer to be repaired and they riveted the end back on as well as the other ends. Next time out on lake, BOOM, same problem! Very unhappy, I again went back to dealer and requested whole new frame. Tige is currently replacing it with the new 2011 style frame which apparently no longer uses the crimped on ends. Counting on it working for the long 4th of July weekend!!

[sooner25]

How did you lose it? Were the screws loose or did the come loose? Did the bimini material rip apart? Did the poles buckle? What exactly happened?

I ask so I will know. I put mine up at the lake and have been fine, even with the wind kicking up. I do take mine down, all the way down and off the tower to travel. Not necessary, but I do not like it rubbing the tower, previous owner did that. I do have the boot for it but I also like that the poles are not taking any unneeded force and I figure that it will last longer.

Pretty much what happened to Mitches^. One of the ends came out and the whole thing ballooned up immediately. Dropped it into neutral, but it was too late. Stitching on the back ripped out and we lost the back part of the frame and one of the struts. Called Tige and there's nothing they can do for me. Spent all last week tracking down the stainless steel tubing and then another few days finding someone to bend it for me. Nightmare.

[h2osk8er00]

I have the original Bimini on a Metacraft tower and I never take the SOB down.. I'll even drive on the highway up to 55 MPH with it up... just cuz it is such a PIA.. Well I only did that once.. and I was a little nervous but she did fine.. Not to thread high-jack but does anyone else use the meta(Crap) tower bimini?

[jbeard]

Do it all the time. Just remember to take it down before getting on the road.

[Billua]

I have the factory and a second top. (The second top is only for AZ, as it get up to 123 there)
I have driven the boat at speeds up to 48mph with no issues.
I only close it when towing.

I hear ya bro! It gets to 118 here on the lago...It took me 9 years but I finally got a top that is worth a shiite...I can put this up and take it down in about 2 minutes...My old one took 20 minutes of fighting and cussing each. I don't tow it with it open. Was doing about 30 mph today and cruising into 30 mph gusts and it was rock solid..

[Jeffe]

I have the factory and a second top. (The second top is only for AZ, as it get up to 123 there)
I have driven the boat at speeds up to 48mph with no issues.
I only close it when towing.

I've seen you out on the water before.