242 E Series Bimini

[brddog]

l love my E- Series and I love how much coverage the Bimini provides. However, putting it on is a pain even after developing a good process. I trailer about 35 minutes to our lake. How slow would I have to go to be able to leave the Bimini up without damage? Also, i don’t believe it is advisable to trailer with the tower lowered so that wouldn’t help would it? I am always a sweaty mess prior to launching the boat after putting the Bimini up and would love to leave it up always.

 

[F.M.]

It handles speeds of 45+ on the water. So theoretically it should handle that in the road.

The only difference would be wind gusts coming from passing other vehicles or meeting oncoming traffic. Those gusts might be a little too much to handle and tear or split the fabric.

 

[NewBoater]

I would find some back roads and go 35-45 and let people pass if they need to.

 

[dietz]

Have 242xe. 2nd season. Bimini top came on from dealer , never touched or adjusted it.
We trailer 1hr each way to our lake , and once 3hrs each way to another lake. Never took bimini off.
We drive up to 75mph (maybe 80 downhill, pre hill climb) in PA. Probably average 65 total.
Bimini looks new. No flapping, no damage , no stretch . Never felt any wind pull or had any drive issues.
Garaged , so no UV or weather damage, which I guess could weaken.
...would think taking cover off and on could weaken it?
...also have yamaha premier cover and dont use the poles at all. Also no issues.
Hope this helps from 1 family view.

 

[dietz]

P.s. also love the bimini on the x. Worried it might be too big but was wrong - it's great! Sunny bow , sunny back & awesome for the eyes when pulling & looking in ski mirror.

Love the idea of the sunroof flap - wish I had that or a mod way to iron a zipper flap in

 

[brddog]

Thank you @dietz! I was looking to see if anyone had experience towing with it on. I agree about loving the shade it throws. You can always find sun in the front if you are looking for it.

 

[Hana]

Have 242xe. 2nd season. Bimini top came on from dealer , never touched or adjusted it.
We trailer 1hr each way to our lake , and once 3hrs each way to another lake. Never took bimini off.
We drive up to 75mph (maybe 80 downhill, pre hill climb) in PA. Probably average 65 total.
Bimini looks new. No flapping, no damage , no stretch . Never felt any wind pull or had any drive issues.
Garaged , so no UV or weather damage, which I guess could weaken.
...would think taking cover off and on could weaken it?
...also have yamaha premier cover and dont use the poles at all. Also no issues.
Hope this helps from 1 family view.

Same here, on our third season!

 

[props2you]

Same here, on our third season!

Ditto... No issues, it only comes off during winter. Never a single issue, yet! (fingers crossed) Holds strong 40 min drive to and from lake 3-4 days a week. Did leave it up for a 3 hour trip to Green lake last year without issue.

Although, headed to Lake Shelbyville this week (4-hour one way), and debating whether to take it off or not, I guess, what's the harm in taking it off to be safe versus having a tear upon arrival.

 

[brddog]

Thanks @sofakingbig and @Hana!

 

[jcyamaharider]

Ditto... No issues, it only comes off during winter. Never a single issue, yet! (fingers crossed) Holds strong 40 min drive to and from lake 3-4 days a week. Did leave it up for a 3 hour trip to Green lake last year without issue.

Although, headed to Lake Shelbyville this week (4-hour one way), and debating whether to take it off or not, I guess, what's the harm in taking it off to be safe versus having a tear upon arrival.

Just an FYI a few of us ( I think 8 or 9 boats so far ) will be at Shelbyville for Labor day weekend

 

[cwood]

Same here, on our third season!

Do you leave the tower up with the Bimini on (while towing)? I live an hour from the lake and average 55-60mph in towing. I purchased the boat at the end of last summer and the dealer told me to remove the bimini canvas during towing. I love the bimini on this boat, but this is a huge pain to remove and re-install for every use of the boat. Would love more input on this, this is my largest dis-like about the boat.

 

[props2you]

Do you leave the tower up with the Bimini on (while towing)? I live an hour from the lake and average 55-60mph in towing. I purchased the boat at the end of last summer and the dealer told me to remove the bimini canvas during towing. I love the bimini on this boat, but this is a huge pain to remove and re-install for every use of the boat. Would love more input on this, this is my largest dis-like about the boat.

Leave it up, it'll be just fine!

Just be sure it is secured & ratcheted nice and tight. No difference doing 40-50 on the lake versus vehicle.

 

[hamsammy]

I leave mine on if I know I'm maxing out at 60MPH and take it off if I need to take the freeway.

 

[tabbibus]

how about opening the "sun roof"? More air would flow through? I don't trailer my LSE so not sure.

 

[Hana]

Do you leave the tower up with the Bimini on (while towing)? I live an hour from the lake and average 55-60mph in towing. I purchased the boat at the end of last summer and the dealer told me to remove the bimini canvas during towing. I love the bimini on this boat, but this is a huge pain to remove and re-install for every use of the boat. Would love more input on this, this is my largest dis-like about the boat.

I leave it on while trailing and sometimes it may be 2 hours one way on the interstate. I’m usually around 65-70 mph. I agree with it being a pain to remove and reinstall.

 

[Julian]

I take mine off for any extended trailering. Just don't want to risk it. I have used my label maker to mark arrows on the frame for where the straps need to go to make putting it on faster.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I take mine off to trailer. Yes its a PITA to put on and take off however, the thought of something coming loose, not seeing it up there out of sight of the mirrors and then getting shredded. Knowing my luck, that'd be on the WAY to a trip. Better safe than sorry.

I also leave the toper up. My thought is that it's designed to take more stress in that position so that's where is stays.

 

[Troch1]

Is there a pic somewhere of the strap routing for the '17+ E series bimini? I only remove it once a year and never remember in the spring how to route the darn straps!

 

[Christopher Delano]

I too would like to see pictures or video of where the straps go for the 242x Bimini.

 

[hamsammy]

Strap goes behind the crotch of the tube just ahead of the pivot point.

and gets threaded into the ratchet in the area beneath the velcro which holds the ratchet up out of the way.