bimini and driving

[betsyk2001]

Is it okay to keep the bimini up while driving my 1996 challenger??? I don't know if the metal frame is strong enough to withhold high speeds. Thanks

 

[kustomkarl]

You could, but the top on a challenger will parachute the boat causing it to be unstable at high speeds. Remember the age of the material.

Karl

 

[Dr Honda]

I do it all the time. If the top is in good shape… it’s not a problem, and I’ve never had a stability issue. :cheers:

 

[Craigmri]

Boat? what boat?

Did someone say something about a boat or Bimini? All I saw were three pretty blondes! :hurray:

Craig

Is it okay to keep the bimini up while driving my 1996 challenger??? I don't know if the metal frame is strong enough to withhold high speeds. Thanks

 

[scooper77515]

I have Karl's old boat, and he recommended against driving with it up, but with a "white" wife (redhead, freckles, etc.) we have used the boat with it up more than not. Full speed, whatever, no problems.

It doesn't "parachute" per se, but it does drag a bit and knock a bit off the top end.

Better than skin cancer...:cheers:

Pic attached from today's trip. First time out with the nephew. I let him drive....the wife FREAKED!!!:reddevil: (cell phone pic. Lots of kb, very low quality....)

 

[scooper77515]

Oh, yeah. I drive the boat around with surfboards, wakeboards, etc strapped to the bimini frame all the time. No problems :cheers:

Man, that boat looks SMALL with that fat-man's wakeboard strapped to it...:hat:

 

[kustomkarl]

I have Karl's old boat, and he recommended against driving with it up, but with a "white" wife (redhead, freckles, etc.) we have used the boat with it up more than not. Full speed, whatever, no problems.

It doesn't "parachute" per se, but it does drag a bit and knock a bit off the top end.

The Problem I encountered was with me by myself at 170# and 1/4 tank of fuel or less and jumping 4' swells in the Gulf of Mexico...it would want to roll to the driver side while air born with the Bimini up at anything over 40mph... I love to fly off the waves. :ack:

Karl

 

[Craigmri]

Message to self

Message to self.......Be sure I have the ceramic washers installed before permitting Karl to drive my C180!

Craig

The Problem I encountered was with me by myself at 170# and 1/4 tank of fuel or less and jumping 4' swells in the Gulf of Mexico...it would want to roll to the driver side while air born with the Bimini up at anything over 40mph... I love to fly off the waves. :ack:

Karl

 

[scooper77515]

Well, then that is a weight distribution problem and nothing to do with the bimini top.

I fly off waves and wakes and get up to 6' of air, and with 2 or 3 people (with weight pretty much equally distributed) it tends to land flat.

I guess if I did it by myself, with my 190 lb butt driving alone, it may lean a little and land lopsided...:cheers:

 

[kustomkarl]

If I kept the Bimini down, I got BIG AIR and never got side ways...only with the Bimini up, was it unpredictable. The wind direction had a lot to do with it too.

Karl

 

[Lee]

Well, there you go Betsy.With you 3 pretty girls sitting evenly across the back your good for at least 6' waves with the bimini up:hurray::rofl::rofl::rofl:
btw I drive mine at 40 mph with bimini up with no problems

 

[scooper77515]

Karl, I admit, that if the wind is hitting me from one side or the other, it affects my landing, but not my much.

I notice more effects from anchoring the boat with the top up near a beach, and having to fight the rear from swaying side-to-side. so I bought a 2nd anchor for the back to hold it steady.

 

[betsyk2001]

Thanks

Wow, I had no idea that this question would spark so much conversation! I appreciate everyone's input and I feel a lot better about putting the bimini up when I have had enough sun.

 

[CypherAZ]

The warning on my seadoo bimini says not to exceed 35mph with the top up.

 

[kustomkarl]

Isn't it funny how one small question has everyone talking about it... :rofl: :rofl: :cheers:

Karl

 

[screwball]

At somewhere between 35 and 40 the clip on the right side went straight and the strap darn near smacked me in the head. Don't know if it was a cheapie clip, defective, or what. Took a large pair of pliers and turned it into a hook again. Now we try to keep it under 30 with the top up

Enjoy!

 

[99SK04GTX]

No Problems Here

99 Speedster SK, original OEM Bimini, run all speeds with it up.

 

[Craigmri]

Guys,

Can we end the bimini talk and get back to the issue at hand......THE BLONDES!!:rofl:

Craig

 

[scooper77515]

Craig, I thought this was a "seadoo" forum, not a "SEE THEM!!!" forum :cheers:

 

[Craigmri]

Boats or blondes

Scott,

I choose blondes. OK if we must...:boxing_smiley:

Craig

Craig, I thought this was a "seadoo" forum, not a "SEE THEM!!!" forum :cheers:

 

[scooper77515]

:agree::cheers: