2018 Bimini top with trickle charger

[Scoop]

Looking for advice on the new Bimini top with the solar trickle charger. I was wondering if it is possible to take the top down but leave the solar charger up.

It looks like the only thing that is holding the solar panel in place is the fabric of the Bimini top. I would like to remove the fabric top but leave the solar panel and the tower in place when the boat is not in use.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

It looks like it would be pretty easy to make a support for the solar panel and I will look into this but thought I would consult the collective wisdom of the forum first.

Thanks in advance.

 

[brddog]

I have a 2017 242 e series and the solar panels are actually permanently fastened to the Bimini bars. The top slides under the solar panels. I am sure the 2018 would be the same.

 

[Scoop]

So you can just slide the canvas top off and the solar panel stays in place?

Thanks

 

[brddog]

Yep. My top is off right now and the solar panel is charging the battery.

 

[Scoop]

That’s what I wanted to hear. Thank you.

 

[swatski]

2017 and 2018 242 E tower bimini are quite different...

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[Scoop]

OK, thanks. I will check it out but with the current heat wave in the NE the Bimini is staying on for now.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I leave the boat in the lake all summer and I typically leave the Bimini on. My thought is that it'll be cheaper to replace the Bimini in a few years than to replace the 12 speakers up there once they get rotted by the sun. It's also nice as there's shade in the boat when opening it up for a weekend trip.