How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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?
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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.
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
2019 Bennington 21SL Tri-toon
2019 Yamaha 150 HP
Smith Mtn. Lake, Virginia
Ted & Emily
2019 Bennington 21SL Tri-toon
2019 Yamaha 150 HP
Smith Mtn. Lake, Virginia
-
- Posts: 1872
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:28 am
- Location: Iowa/Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
- Contact:
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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....
Owner-EzFender Boat Products
Members, visit your discount page at:
http://www.ezfender.com/PontoonForums-M ... -Page.html
Members, visit your discount page at:
http://www.ezfender.com/PontoonForums-M ... -Page.html
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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.
2020 Bennington 23 SSRXP Mercury 250 Pro XS
www.mtboats.com - Links to all types of powerboat resources
www.mtboats.com - Links to all types of powerboat resources
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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.
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
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia
- FLOUNDERPOUNDER225
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2015 7:19 am
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
WOT 38-40 MPH, full aluminum frame, no straps
Pensacola FL
2015 Berkshire 231 RFC
Yamaha F-150
2015 Berkshire 231 RFC
Yamaha F-150
- rancherlee
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:59 am
- Location: Eveleth MN
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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.
1988' Kennedy 20' "Haley's Comet"
Rebuilt 2016 with 25" single strake outer tubes and a 25x23" straked U-tube
2003 Suzuki DF140 - Yamaha 9.9HT kicker - 39.1@6300rpm
Rebuilt 2016 with 25" single strake outer tubes and a 25x23" straked U-tube
2003 Suzuki DF140 - Yamaha 9.9HT kicker - 39.1@6300rpm
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
I've run mine at a whopping 24 mph ( wot ) with the top up.. no problems here.
Roland & Jo
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
Thanks. Mine is full aluminum frame with no straps. My boat will do 31 so guess I’m okay
-
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:49 pm
- Location: Baton Rouge LA
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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.
Michael and Laura
'12 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost
'14 Harris Solstice 220, P3 tritoon, Mercury Verado 150, Enertia 14p.
prior boat: '02 Century 2600CC, twin Yamaha EFI 200's, full instruments.
'12 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost
'14 Harris Solstice 220, P3 tritoon, Mercury Verado 150, Enertia 14p.
prior boat: '02 Century 2600CC, twin Yamaha EFI 200's, full instruments.
-
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:19 pm
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
W>A>O>
Broken Arrow Ok
2014 G3 Suncatcher
115 Yamaha 4 stroke
Paradise Cove Marina on Ft. Gibson Lake
2014 G3 Suncatcher
115 Yamaha 4 stroke
Paradise Cove Marina on Ft. Gibson Lake
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
^^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
Usually somewhere on the TN River
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
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
----------------------------------
Peggy Sue
25 x 10' 2009 Premier Escapade
225 Mercury Verado
----------------------------------
Peggy Sue
25 x 10' 2009 Premier Escapade
225 Mercury Verado
Re: How fast do you drive with your Bimini top
Mach 3.2
2012 Tahoe 24' Fish-n-Fun Tritoon, with Mercury 115 HP 4-Stroke
"Trine SS Cape" (Trying 2S Cape)
Add a battery: viewtopic.php?t=13546&p=105893#p105893
I'm not a liberal, but I play one on this site.
"Trine SS Cape" (Trying 2S Cape)
Add a battery: viewtopic.php?t=13546&p=105893#p105893
I'm not a liberal, but I play one on this site.