SX210 Towing with Mooring cover and how to have the bimini top positioned

[watdog]

New owner of a 2018 Yamaha SX210 and have a towing question. I have read several threads and seen the pool noodle over the windshield, blue tape at the ratchets and bow, poles down, and so on. I just had my cover repaired over the windshield and had it reinforced under the cover over it. The top has me confused. According to the manual it should be lowered during towing (I am about to go on a 600 mile trip) and the cover does not fit with it lowered under it. So I removed the short third pole and put it outside the cover. Opinions of this, bad, good, way stupid? I am worried my cover will shred fo some reason.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

When I travel far I put the bimini under the cover and towels between Bimini and hull.

 

[watdog]

When I travel far I put the bimini under the cover and towels between Bimini and hull.

I tried that but it made getting the top on extremely difficult. Ratchets all the way out and the cover was really stretching to make it onto the back cleat. I may have to try it again. Thanks.

 

[Dough]

With the shipping cover, the top goes forward, laying at the base of windshield. Maybe try that? Sounds wrong but worked like a charm.

 

[watdog]

With the shipping cover, the top goes forward, laying at the base of windshield. Maybe try that? Sounds wrong but worked like a charm.

Funny you said that. I tried it over the windshield and thought it was a better fit and kept all the metal from touching the gell. I didn't try the cover over it, but I think I will. Thanks.

 

[jamesk]

I went through the same questions (SX210 with same cover as op).
Bimini does not fit under this cover. (laying it forward also did not work for me)
I strap the bimini to the tow hook if I don't have the cover on, when cover is on I find another spot lower then the cover.
On top of that there is a short third pole that hooks into a clip to secure it but that clip does not work well, so I have velcro straps that I have to wrap around the 3 poles on each side so they don't move.
This is a terrible design in general, the fact that you have to use this velcro close padded protector sleeves around the bimini frame.
Even then it tends to move ( like the bimini rests on different parts of the boat, different from side to side and dependent on how hard you push it into place.
Also, if I am driving the boat with the bimini on (but canvas closed) it shakes all over the place and does not seems sturdy.
Sorry I don't have good answers...I am mostly commenting on how much I dislike this entire setup.