Bimini Rubbing Badly!

[rgardner928]

So I got my bimini on and I don't have any issues with it. I do not leave it mounted up or open while traveling on the highway. I leave it laying flat against the hull. And to prevent it from bouncing around I bungee cord it down. Put the metal of the bimini itself is rubbing very badly against my finish. If you look at the following pictures all the black marks are from it rubbing. When I lay it flat down the way it sits it rubs badly. It's also damaged some of my finish. Do they make any cover or protective pad I can put in those spots that will prevent it from getting any worse? Do you know of anything I can use if they don't make anything, to help prevent if from happening.

Does anyone else have this issue?

No maybe its the wrong one/size. But its what the pervious owner had installed. All I did was swap out the plastic hardware for stainless. I really don't want to buy a "new" one..I'd rather spend to prevent it from happening more.

 

[rgardner928]

Here is the bimini in the open position.

 

[rgardner928]

And here it is in the mount up, but not open position.

It only rubs when folded flat.

 

[rgardner928]

Bought this for my keel. Maybe If I have a spare piece..I can use that.

 

[100dollarbill]

What about some of that foam pipe insulation? It comes in different diameters. Cut a few pieces to put where it rubs.
Like this:
Search Results for foam pipe insulation at The Home Depot

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I use old pieces of carpet remnants
to avoid rub and possible scratch marks from tie-down straps and buckles.

 

[rgardner928]

What about some of that foam pipe insulation? It comes in different diameters. Cut a few pieces to put where it rubs.
Like this:
Search Results for foam pipe insulation at The Home Depot

That sounds like a great idea..Thanks!

 

[rgardner928]

I use old pieces of carpet remnants
to avoid rub and possible scratch marks from tie-down straps and buckles.

Dont they fall off/out when driving?

 

[Dr Honda]

When you have a side mounted Bimini... you need the style with bent legs. That way, it clears the hull. With the straight legs, you should have top mounts. If it was my boat, I would simply buy some top mount hardware, and call it a day.

The other thing you can do is, buy some short stay arms, to keep the top off the hull all together. I know you are having problems with the hull... but eventually, the movement when down could wear a hole in the top fabric.

 

[rgardner928]

When you have a side mounted Bimini... you need the style with bent legs. That way, it clears the hull. With the straight legs, you should have top mounts. If it was my boat, I would simply buy some top mount hardware, and call it a day.

The other thing you can do is, buy some short stay arms, to keep the top off the hull all together. I know you are having problems with the hull... but eventually, the movement when down could wear a hole in the top fabric.

Well the bimini is so wide..its too wide at the base to mount to the topside.

 

[mikidymac]

How about a few scraps of HydroTurf.

 

[100dollarbill]

That sounds like a great idea..Thanks!

No problem. It's cheap and does the job. I've used it before for other stuff besides pipe insulation. I think I even used it FOR pipe insulation once or twice lol.