Marc K wrote: ↑Sun Feb 13, 2022 2:54 pm
steve1313 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:51 am
I would have gone with the power bimini solution, but it has a max boat speed of 25 MPH when the top is deployed. That was a deal killer for me.
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That part is not a problem for me!
Life in the cheap seats
Marc
Our Qwest came with a single powered Bimini; which I had no interest in, but it came already on the boat. As noted above; it says 25 MPH top speed with the top up. I had a second non-powered Bimini made to go in front of the powered one. That one ties into the front of the powered top, which gives it mechanical stability, and decreases the wind loading on the legs of the powered Bimini. That design all comes down to two one inch square aluminum top legs on each side, and those “legs” bolt directly to the powered mechanisms.
I cruised that boat at 30 mph all last summer, with a few brief runs up into the mid-40’s MPH without any problems. Once the warranty period for the powered top is over; if it breaks, it’ll be replaced with a non-powered set-up.
I guess a powered top may be worthwhile for some, but out boat tops pretty much stay “up” all season, which is easily 8-9 months long down here. We don’t have any desire to sit out in the full sun for any extended periods. We both didn’t worry about how much sun we were getting when younger, but we have no desire now to increase any chances of skin cancer beyond what’s already been done. The tops only get stowed on our boats when a storm is coming, and the boat stays in the water at one of our docks all season; unless there’s a hurricane coming.
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