Towing with bimini up and folded?

[thunder550]

We are leaving for San Diego on Monday morning. Last time I towed long distance I had the bimini laid down and over the course of the drive the canvas boot rubbed some fine scratches in the gel coat. I was thinking about possible leaving the bimini up and folded back this time to keep it off the gel. Anyone done this over long distances before? This trip will be about 400 miles each way. Thoughts, or other ideas?

If I lay the bimini down I can go either forward or back, but both end up laying on the gel coat.

[Bfun220]

Never towed that far. But if you want to lay the bimini down go to Walmart and get yourself some of those foam noodles. Then make a cut in the foam and put it under your bimini. This may give you enough clearance so your no longer on the gel.

[AsLan7]

We are leaving for San Diego on Monday morning. Last time I towed long distance I had the bimini laid down and over the course of the drive the canvas boot rubbed some fine scratches in the gel coat. I was thinking about possible leaving the bimini up and folded back this time to keep it off the gel. Anyone done this over long distances before? This trip will be about 400 miles each way. Thoughts, or other ideas?

If I lay the bimini down I can go either forward or back, but both end up laying on the gel coat.

I towed our 262 from Arkansas to Erie with the Bimini up and without that cross member for lateral strength ( at that time I did not realize it was missing ). Still had no issues.

The only thing I did not like was smashing all the bugs with the bimini cover while towing at dusk.

If you decide to keep it down, wrap the tubes with foam pipe insulation (similar to BF220’s idea just slightly cheaper) which you can buy at any Lowe’s or Home Depot

.

[mdadgar]

I just towed from Arkansas to the SF Bay Area with the bimini up. No issues.

- Mark

[thunder550]

Thanks guys. I think I'll try it up this time.

[Silverbullet555]

I tow up. Ours is strapped to the tower and doesn't use support pole.

[ColinC]

Tow with it up. You can also protect from bugs and debris by using industrial strength plastic wrap. I’ve bought it from Home Depot in the past. You should also be able to find it at the local U-Haul.

[Ytmsn]

When I had a bimini I towed with it up all the time. You'll have to take your boot to the car wash though. When a bug slams into it, you know what the first thing is that crosses his mind? His arse. You'll have plenty of that to wash off.

[MnLakeBum]

Tow with it up. You can also protect from bugs and debris by using industrial strength plastic wrap. I’ve bought it from Home Depot in the past. You should also be able to find it at the local U-Haul.

I second that. I've towed before with the bimini up a few hundred miles and done exactly that with the plastic wrap. It's super easy to wrap or unwrap and takes care of the bug cleaning issue. There is also a product called glass protection tape(or film) that I will use to protect boat fiberglass during transport. It has a low tack adhesive on it and comes in 12" wide rolls that are either 25' or 50' long. CRL sells it and it is also available on Amazon.

[thunder550]

When a bug slams into it, you know what the first thing is that crosses his mind? His arse.

I went and got some plastic wrap from Home Depot this afternoon. Thanks guys Doing some packing tonight, lake day at Pleasant tomorrow, whirlwind prepping tomorrow evening after we get home, then off to the Pacific on Monday morning. It's vacation time!

[Big Block Power]

When a bug slams into it, you know what the first thing is that crosses his mind? His arse.

I went and got some plastic wrap from Home Depot this afternoon. Thanks guys Doing some packing tonight, lake day at Pleasant tomorrow, whirlwind prepping tomorrow evening after we get home, then off to the Pacific on Monday morning. It's vacation time!

Be safe and have fun. Have fun in the sewer by Matt.lol

[nolaboater99]

Enjoy LoCal. Are you going to go to Catalina? It's really not a bad trip if you go in the morning, get a hotel and return the following morning. Rule of thumb....if you can see the island, don't go. If you do decide to go I would launch in Huntington Harbor or Long Beach. It's a bit shorter run. Have a great time.
Shawn

[thunder550]

Be safe and have fun. Have fun in the sewer by Matt.lol

Thanks! Sewer time is best time

Enjoy LoCal. Are you going to go to Catalina? It's really not a bad trip if you go in the morning, get a hotel and return the following morning. Rule of thumb....if you can see the island, don't go. If you do decide to go I would launch in Huntington Harbor or Long Beach. It's a bit shorter run. Have a great time.
Shawn

Thanks Shawn. No Catalina this time, just hanging out in SD. We are staying in Mission Bay, and I want to do a day trip over to San Diego Bay as well. Catalina will have to be a different trip. When that time comes I'll be in touch to see if I can hook up with some of your buddies, would feel a lot more comfortable going with people who have done it before.

[jasonm]

when you guys talk about towing with it up...Do you mean with it out completely so its in full shade mode or arms attached, but rolled up?

Thanks.

[Ytmsn]

Rolled up!