How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

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Oublaj
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How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#1 Post by Oublaj » Sun Jul 08, 2018 1:29 pm

My manual says not to exceed 15 mph with the Bimini top open. That seems a little overly cautious. How fast are you comfortable going with your top open?

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smltooner
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#2 Post by smltooner » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:35 pm

Mine only goes 18 mph at WOT, so I always leave mine up.
However, I have had a front clip, that connects the bimini frame to the rail, snap while riding in high wind.
This has happened twice. It did not hurt the cover, but the bimini frame is 2-3" out of square now.
SMLTOONER
Ted & Emily
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#3 Post by Bryden24shp » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:18 pm

I would fun my Manitou's and Premier WOT with them up. No harm. Just remember to pull them down before you pull into your slip. That's the killer! Don't ask....
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rbtnt
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#4 Post by rbtnt » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:36 pm

Run my Crest WOT as well. My front support is frame If you have a strap and clip you may need to go slower.
Last edited by rbtnt on Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
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steve1313
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#5 Post by steve1313 » Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:16 am

I only deploy my bimini once or twice a year (we love the sun!), but when I do I don't hesitate to run at WOT (~40mph). No straps on my Sweetwater, just full metal frame with front supports, too.

FYI, I wanted to buy a Power-Arm motorized top, but the max speed limit is something like 20mph, so that was a deal killer for me.
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
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FLOUNDERPOUNDER225
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#6 Post by FLOUNDERPOUNDER225 » Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:09 am

WOT 38-40 MPH, full aluminum frame, no straps
Pensacola FL
2015 Berkshire 231 RFC
Yamaha F-150

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rancherlee
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#7 Post by rancherlee » Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:26 am

37-38mph into a strong headwind, no issues and I have the straps up front, 12' 4 bow top. A lot has to do with the way its mounted, the front on mine is slightly lower than the rear so it doesn't act like a parachute.
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ROLAND
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#8 Post by ROLAND » Tue Jul 10, 2018 12:30 am

I've run mine at a whopping 24 mph ( wot ) with the top up.. no problems here.
Roland & Jo
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Oublaj
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#9 Post by Oublaj » Wed Jul 11, 2018 4:50 pm

Thanks. Mine is full aluminum frame with no straps. My boat will do 31 so guess I’m okay

captain28570
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#10 Post by captain28570 » Wed Jul 11, 2018 7:56 pm

WOT over 40 numerous times for a few mins or more. My G2 motor gets the same MPG"S at WOT as it does at 4000 rpms. The faster I go the MPG"s stay the same its crazy.
2017 22 Manitou Aurora LE SHP Tritoon Evinrude G2 HO 150

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zoom650
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#11 Post by zoom650 » Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:24 am

Last time out, I got 38 mph with only the 12ft rear bimini open. When I bought, the dealer towed her to the lake for a test run. Both biminis up, he drove 40 to the lake.
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#12 Post by Soonertoon » Thu Jul 12, 2018 12:50 pm

W>A>O>
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Woody
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#13 Post by Woody » Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:40 pm

Soonertoon wrote:
Thu Jul 12, 2018 12:50 pm
W>A>O>


^^This^^


I've never seen it flap/move enough to make me want to slow down, or take it down.
2014 Benny (Until I find a replacement for my totaled JC Tritoon)


Usually somewhere on the TN River

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Towdaddy
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#14 Post by Towdaddy » Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:08 am

I will run it up to 35 mph with no issues in our Premier. I do watch if I am running with the wind or into it. This is only for the rear Bimini. I never run with the front Bimini deployed.
Jeff

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BobG
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Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top

#15 Post by BobG » Wed Jul 18, 2018 12:20 pm

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