Trailering with bimini up

[jdemers]

Is it ok to trailer the boat with the surf bimini up.

[trace]

Only if you want to replace it after you get to the lake.

[Duncan]

We trailer our 2009 RZ2 with the bimini up for a few miles to and from the ramp -- always at 45mph or slower. I always check the screws for the bimini support poles and have replaced several of the brackets over the years.

[jmhatchett]

If you only go a few miles and never exceed 40 mph..

I choose 40 mph because the makers of the bimini made it to work with the boat and since the boat doesnt go 70 neither should your bimini. Your boat can go 40 so thats my rule of thumb for anything on the tower. Boards in racks only on the way to the ramp and no faster than 40.

[007]

to clarify the comment from @trace, it's not designed for speed.

ie-don't expect it to be attached if you are trailering down the highway.

If you are trailering it from the campground to the launch ramp at speeds slower than you would boat at, probably not an issue...

[Z3CO23]

Bad idea. I've had bimini brackets break doing a 30 mile per hour cruise on the water.

[25cents]

wouldn't recommend it. I drove with mine on for 2-3 miles at less than 30 and it ripped. Cost me about $150 to fix.

[zany]

I drove for 6 years, 10 miles each way to my storage at 50 mph or less without any damage to my bimini.
I still have my original 10' long bimini that is in great shape after 9 seasons.

[Duncan]

Inspect your Y bracket connector and replace when bent. http://shop.acconmarine.com/products...k-release.aspx You won't break a pole again.

Original link here.

[ericinmich]

Have an acquaintance that trailered his boat 4 hrs at hwy speeds when he go it, yes, bimini up. It was a standard wakeboard tower with 4 point attachment.

I got on the boat shortly after he launched it, there were spider cracks on the gel coat, fiberglass flexing a lot (backer plates now loose).

I would never do it... except for 35mph or so for short distances. Remember if you're doing 45 and pass a semi going the same speed, a gust of 60-70 could easily it it.

[Z3CO23]

He has a 2013 RZR with an alpha Z tower. No way in gods green earth is the bimini for the alpha Z tower going to hold up to any kind of speed while trailering. The Bimini's that are mounted differently on older towers.... maybe they are fine. Bimini on the Alpha Z, Nope.

[trace]

Have an acquaintance that trailered his boat 4 hrs at hwy speeds when he go it, yes, bimini up. It was a standard wakeboard tower with 4 point attachment.

I got on the boat shortly after he launched it, there were spider cracks on the gel coat, fiberglass flexing a lot (backer plates now loose).

I would never do it... except for 35mph or so for short distances. Remember if you're doing 45 and pass a semi going the same speed, a gust of 60-70 could easily it it.

This is the primary reason, you may be driving slowly but wind gusts from other vehicles can cause a problem, you can't control that.

He has a 2013 RZR with an alpha Z tower. No way in gods green earth is the bimini for the alpha Z tower going to hold up to any kind of speed while trailering. The Bimini's that are mounted differently on older towers.... maybe they are fine. Bimini on the Alpha Z, Nope.

I haven't posted my story yet, but basically plowing 15-20 mph heading into storm face (only way to shelter), the wind outflow from the storm front produced a gust of no idea how fast. Completely stripped the bimini off the poles on a brand new bimini in a blink, literally poof and it was gone. No way would I trust it on a tow with oncoming traffic at any speed after that. Oh BTW the latest Surf Biminis are $2600 to replace.....