Bimini Top, what do you do with it?

[wolfpack]

Ok, I have a 2000 2300V with what I believe is the 2001 tower. (quick release rather than bolts in the front, and grab bar on the side of the vertical supports) The bimini is fine, but I can't figure out what to do with it when I'm not using it. When I collapse it down and stick it in it's cover, it's still a pretty good distant away from the top tower bar that I think I should strap it to. I end up just not taking it when I'm not going to use it and if I do take it I put it up imediately and leave it up all day. Any ideas or suggestions?

[Matt Garcia]

Hmm..I have the same tower as you but mine straps fine to the top section of the tower. Are you extending the telescopic arms of the bimini to reach the tower? Do you have your straps on your cover adjusted to the maximum length?

[wolfpack]

With my telescopic arms all the way in, it's still a good 8-10 inches away from the tower, so it would swing in the wind. How many parts are there to your telescopic arms? Mine are in 2 pieces.

[lee]

On the 2001 tower you should have a lower mounting point to store the bimini top when not erected. It should be by the d-ring for the rear strap of the bimini top.

[RZMike]

Wolfpack, my tower and bimini must be the same as yours because I have the same issue. I was unaware of the lower mounting point Lee pointed out. I'm going to have to look for that. However, it still is a poor design in my opinion. One day I'm going to drop one of those thumb screws in the lake. I guess I need to come up with some sort of lanyard for the thumb screws so I don't lose one every time I put the bimini up or down.

[blr]

not sure i fully inderstand the issue but on my 2001, you just don't push the telescoping arms all the way in and the you can strap the cover to the tower. you shouldn't have to pull out the telescoping peices all the way (to where the button clicks in place) but should not be all the way out either. if you have the late 2001/2002 tower (the one that you have to reposition the reaar arms from stored to up position, you may have a different issue.

[wolfpack]

I don't remember seeing a lower mounting point. I'll check under the foam and see what's there.

[RZMike]

not sure i fully inderstand the issue but on my 2001, you just don't push the telescoping arms all the way in and the you can strap the cover to the tower. you shouldn't have to pull out the telescoping peices all the way (to where the button clicks in place) but should not be all the way out either. if you have the late 2001/2002 tower (the one that you have to reposition the reaar arms from stored to up position, you may have a different issue.

blr - So your saying on your 2001 you don't have to reposition the rear arms to go between stored and deployed positions?

I don't know what year my tower is. My boat is a 2001, but I remember the previous owner saying he purchased the tower after he had the boat for awhile. I've played with my bimini trying to figure out a way to store and strap it to the tower without taking the rear arms off, but it doesn't appear to be possible.

I'll try and take some pics in the next few days to clarify the issue.

[blr]

RZMike -
I only have to "unsnap" the front arms and then connect them to the already in place thumb screws. I know on the late 2001/02 towers you have to reposition the rear arms (my buddy has one of those and really does not like his bimini. the front arms on mine are the only one that come disconnected and then they fold back and attach to the rear arms with a simple wrap around strap w/ snap on it. easy up and down. you may want to go to a canvas shop that specializes in biminis and see if they can "fix" it for you so it is easier.

[RZMike]

blr - I see what your saying. Your setup sounds much more "user friendly" Thanks :)

[RZMike]

I finally got around to taking a pic of mine. I think wolfpack and I are having the same issue. As you can see, with the bimini strapped to the front of the tower the arms hang way below the attachment points. Same thing if I strap it to the back of the tower too. Right now I've got these little bungee cord securing the arms. I looked for the lower attachment point that lee mentioned, but it's not there. Now that all can see what wolfpack and I are talking about, any ideas? :confused:

[lee]

You should have had some lower mounting points on the tower were the arms would mount in the closed position. I will try to take some pictures of the mounts on Friday and post them so you can see what is missing.

[RZMike]

I pulled the foam off and looked - nothing there. I'm starting to wonder if the bimini I've got is made for a different year tower or vice versa.

[wolfpack]

Yep, mine's the same way. I just never thought of unscrewing it out there. I've been leaving it at home unless I need it, but sometimes I'm out there and wish I had it.

[Matt Garcia]

Take a look at mine and see if this helps any. I believe our towers are the same.

[Matt Garcia]

This one shows a little more detail. Is that what you were referring to Lee?

[RZMike]

Thanks for the pics Matt. I see now what lee is probably talking about. Mine, however, doesn't have that lower mount. I'll have to check with a dealer, maybe it's something I can order.

[Matt Garcia]

Oh I see. So are you just strapping it down to the tower?

[RZMike]

Yes, with a bungee. Looking at your pics again, your tower is a little different. Mainly the board racks.

[Matt Garcia]

Oh I see.

[lee]

It should have been something the dealer installed. You could call Metcraft Ind. and ask them for the lower mounting kit for your bimini top.

[wolfpack]

yep, exact same except they didn't put the lower mounting points on the tower. That really sucks.

Any ideas on how to jerry rig it so I can at least carry it with me most of the time?

[RZMike]

wolfpack, the cheapest and easiest solution I've found is to strap the bimini to the front of the tower and then use little bungee cords to strap the arms to the tower. If you look closely and the first pic I posted, you'll see the small black bungee wrapped around the tower about where the mount should be. I bought the bungee cords at Home Depot.