Driving with Bimini Open

[Jeff L24]

I recently posted about Mooring Cover Shortcuts and now I'm considering leaving my bimini open all the time (in the summer). I rarely open it because I usually like the full sun, plus it's just one more thing to do and undo each trip. I'm tempted to leave it open all summer after I burned this past weekend. I tow at 65mph and the boat can cruise at 49, so will +16 mph really hurt it structurally? I realize the fabric will wear prematurely and I'm ok with that. I just don't want the thing ripping apart as I drive. Anyone leave theirs open for prolonged periods or drive at highway speeds with it open?

 

[Crob83]

I personally would not. I have accidentally left it open after camping one night and forgetting to close it in the morning. I drove 100 miles at up to 80mph and it didn't cause any damage. But I would not do it on a regular basis at all for many reasons

 

[Farny]

I recently posted about Mooring Cover Shortcuts and now I'm considering leaving my bimini open all the time (in the summer). I rarely open it because I usually like the full sun, plus it's just one more thing to do and undo each trip. I'm tempted to leave it open all summer after I burned this past weekend. I tow at 65mph and the boat can cruise at 49, so will +16 mph really hurt it structurally? I realize the fabric will wear prematurely and I'm ok with that. I just don't want the thing ripping apart as I drive. Anyone leave theirs open for prolonged periods or drive at highway speeds with it open?

Maybe I’m over cautious- but when trailering only time I leave the Bimini up is on short trips and never go over 50mph

 

[212s]

There's an orange tag on the bimini from the factory that says something like "Do not exceed 45mph when open". I don't think it's the material you need to worry about, it's the support poles can't handle the wind pressure and bouncing. I recall reading that excessive speed has mangled biminis. If it breaks, you may have to deal with damage to your tower as well. While I've hit 50 with it open, I don't drive that fast often. If we're ripping around at WOT on smooth water, I fold it up and strap it to the tower. We rarely have calm days around here though, so it's usually open and we're just cruising.

 

[84rzv500r]

lol I dont tow my boat it lives hanging davits for the last 5 years or so.. (thats a whole 'nother story on modding the hull to deal with that) none the less i wouldn't tow with it up. I do run over 50 (56 was the fastest recorded GPS speed on the Garmin and the Faria w/ Bimini up and Radome installed with two fresh 135's installed) all the time with mine however my 2004 came with all stainless poles and fittings no aluminum ... also I have replaced the silly plastic buckle clips with 1" ratchet straps with Stainless binders, and split stainless clamps to attach to the bimini loops and I also made longer adjustable poles for the back so I can easily tune the "angle of attack" of the Bimini so it isn't under stress at speed as the stress rips out the stitches (the original bimini is still on the boat it has had a trip to my Consew 220 for some remedial strength stitches) also im gonna move it up about 3 inches so i dont keep scraping the skin of my baldness.. cordura will cut through a steel bar so it just laughs at your scalp when you bash it LOL

 

[84rzv500r]

I recently posted about Mooring Cover Shortcuts and now I'm considering leaving my bimini open all the time (in the summer). I rarely open it because I usually like the full sun, plus it's just one more thing to do and undo each trip. I'm tempted to leave it open all summer after I burned this past weekend. I tow at 65mph and the boat can cruise at 49, so will +16 mph really hurt it structurally? I realize the fabric will wear prematurely and I'm ok with that. I just don't want the thing ripping apart as I drive. Anyone leave theirs open for prolonged periods or drive at highway speeds with it open?

aerodynamic drag goes up as the cube of the speed... not mention the loads if you get a gust at that speed... thats at a nonzero angle.. can you say umbrella ?

 

[HawaiiBreeze]

Just my two cents but those darn things cost a pretty penny and are quite flimsy. Would hate to have it up fully and have something smash, rip, shred, puncture, or dirty it while transporting.