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"High Speed Biminis"

ChrisV

ChrisV

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Hey guys,

The current biminis on my boats got a tag that says "Do not exceed 45mph" and shit drives me nuts. Both boats does have fabric straps. Is the straps the common failure for biminis? I would like to cruise at 60-70 with it on. Convert it to a stainless tube? Or this is asking for too much.
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ltbaney1

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my understanding is the straps is the main failure point. now keep in mind my pontoon tops out at 50. if my biminini did not have the aluminum tubes i would fully expect that giant 9' sail to destroy it self or something else. I imagine with your skillset from what i have seen here, making a set of poles would be no problem. the other nice thing about the poles is i can prob the bimini up and have it out of the way.
 
FlyByWire

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IMG_8844.jpeg


I think the combo of the stainless poles and the mesh strip is what gets you the “high speed” bimini. I’ve run 70 with it up and it doesn’t seem to care in the least.

The center black strip of mine is mesh.
 
Mike Honcho

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Another 210 with mesh strip and straps 75 plus still there however my single ram hatch is the issue at 60 plus it starts to lift I need a fix for that.
 
LazyLavey

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ChrisV said:
Hey guys,

The current biminis on my boats got a tag that says "Do not exceed 45mph" and shit drives me nuts. Both boats does have fabric straps. Is the straps the common failure for biminis? I would like to cruise at 60-70 with it on. Convert it to a stainless tube? Or this is asking for too much.
Click to expand...
Is your current tubing aluminum? That's fairly uncommon for a nice ride.

I've had both aluminum and SS. The aluminum front tubing bent back just above the straps during a high speed run.... maybe 60mph
 
ChrisV

ChrisV

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LazyLavey said:
Is your current tubing aluminum? That's fairly uncommon for a nice ride.

I've had both aluminum and SS. The aluminum front tubing bent back just above the straps during a high speed run.... maybe 60mph
Click to expand...
It’s 1”ss
 
monkeyswrench

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The mesh strip is stitched like a stripe in the middle of the canvas material, and let's some air pass. The other thing I'd check is how the straps anchor...plates beneath. Found out the hard way mine wasn't "jet bote" certified...
 
OldSchoolBoats

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Have fabric straps (all 4 replaced at Nordic when we bought) and mesh down the center. Have been into the high 60's with it up and no problem. I do like the stainless poles with everything through bolted and welded, just dont feel like dropping the dinero on a a new bimini right now for a boat that gets used a couple times a year....lol
 
69hondo

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Fundeck has all stainless with stainless poles, no mafric strip. Its seen 70 a few times anything more and the front croos pole starts flapping 😱 I think the mesh strip would help that.
Daytona has no bimini or mounts so no worries😆😆
 
relaxalot

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I have the stainless and the mesh strip and still try to keep it under 60 mph. I think someone could really get hurt badly if there was a hardware failure. I almost always put the top back down to run faster. I actually hate it up unless I am parked. It is noisy and just something to worry about. Put it away unless it is August.. Ha ha. When parked I also use an anchor shade umbrella to further shade my boat. It looks like a Kurdish refugee camp but it is a comfortable camp. Be safe out there this weekend!
 
Orange Juice

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ChrisV said:
Hey guys,

The current biminis on my boats got a tag that says "Do not exceed 45mph" and shit drives me nuts. Both boats does have fabric straps. Is the straps the common failure for biminis? I would like to cruise at 60-70 with it on. Convert it to a stainless tube? Or this is asking for too much. View attachment 1508058
Click to expand...

There in no such thing as a “High speed Bimini”. They all slow the boat down with aero braking, and add instability. They also add weight.
 
ChrisV

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lbhsbz

lbhsbz

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Orange Juice said:
There in no such thing as a “High speed Bimini”. They all slow the boat down with aero braking, and add instability. They also add weight.
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I've never spoken with him to confirm, but rumor has it Dick Sherrer ran a few MPH faster with the bimini up than with it down in an old Avenger 20' mod VP because the extra "lift" helped pick that big bitch outta the water
 
rivrrts429

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relaxalot said:
I have the stainless and the mesh strip and still try to keep it under 60 mph. I think someone could really get hurt badly if there was a hardware failure. I almost always put the top back down to run faster. I actually hate it up unless I am parked. It is noisy and just something to worry about. Put it away unless it is August.. Ha ha. When parked I also use an anchor shade umbrella to further shade my boat. It looks like a Kurdish refugee camp but it is a comfortable camp. Be safe out there this weekend!
Click to expand...


I was one of those sitting in the back seat when the Bimini failed. It failed around 70mph.

I felt like a damn butterfly fighting to exit the cacoon as I was encapsulated with poles and fabric lol

Walked away with a black eye and a golf ball sized knot on my dome.
 
Jay Dub

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Mike Honcho said:
Another 210 with mesh strip and straps 75 plus still there however my single ram hatch is the issue at 60 plus it starts to lift I need a fix for that.
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Hallett 255. also with mesh and fabric straps. no issue at top speed. We also were having the hatch lift at higher speeds. The only solution was to install dual rams. Not necessarlity easy or cheap. It required two new rams, new wiring and relays. Travis Barron (Lake Havasu) did a very nice and tidy install. Well worth the money. I could only the damage if the hatch flew open at 65-70 mph!
 
Sleek-Jet

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The last Uhaul I rented said not to exceed 45mph. .. but my dad didn't raise no pussy and so I drove as fast as I wanted.
 
rivermobster

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ChrisV said:
Hey guys,

The current biminis on my boats got a tag that says "Do not exceed 45mph" and shit drives me nuts. Both boats does have fabric straps. Is the straps the common failure for biminis? I would like to cruise at 60-70 with it on. Convert it to a stainless tube? Or this is asking for too much. View attachment 1508058
Click to expand...

Fabric straps fail regularly. You couldn't pay me to run em. Eventually, someone IS going to get hurt, and it won't be you, it will be a family member or a friend!

You absolutely Should convert to full stainless, and go with mesh panels also.

I have a solid panel down the middle on mine, and mesh panels on either side of it.

Use "marine grade" Subbrella fabric, and you'll be set for whatever you want.

Being able to set the Bimini in the "radar position" comes in handy often.

Some short poles, to store the Bimini just above the seats, is also a handy option. 👍🏼
 
adam909

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For the mesh users. Does the sunlight beaming through on a hot day annoy you?
 
FROGMAN524

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ChrisV said:
Hey guys,

The current biminis on my boats got a tag that says "Do not exceed 45mph" and shit drives me nuts. Both boats does have fabric straps. Is the straps the common failure for biminis? I would like to cruise at 60-70 with it on. Convert it to a stainless tube? Or this is asking for too much. View attachment 1508058
Click to expand...
Expect to spend anywhere from $3,500-$5,000 when you do the conversion in LHC.
 
ChrisV

ChrisV

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FROGMAN524 said:
Expect to spend anywhere from $3,500-$5,000 when you do the conversion in LHC.
Click to expand...
I could see why it’s that much but that’s not happening for me. I have all the benders and know where to get all the mounts. Only thing I can’t do is the fabric.
 
240Hallett

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ChrisV said:
I could see why it’s that much but that’s not happening for me. I have all the benders and know where to get all the mounts. Only thing I can’t do is the fabric.
Click to expand...
You have the fabric already, correct?
 
rivermobster

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ChrisV said:
I could see why it’s that much but that’s not happening for me. I have all the benders and know where to get all the mounts. Only thing I can’t do is the fabric.
Click to expand...

You can order it direct online. Then all you'll need is someone to sew it together for you. Which should be pretty straight forward, since you already have a "template"

Use a Bimini builder, as they will have the super wazoo thread that will need to be used. 👍🏼
 
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Livewire Fabworks

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ChrisV said:
I could see why it’s that much but that’s not happening for me. I have all the benders and know where to get all the mounts. Only thing I can’t do is the fabric.
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For the actual top Monica at Custom Canvas By Monica does great work in Upland not to far from you. Her and her brother used to have Custom Canvas in Montclair until her brother decided to retire. She now does covers and bimni tops out of her home. Does great work and isn't priced super high.
 
PlanB

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Our Top Gun had a mesh bimini that I ran to 85mph all the time on the lake (it was taken off for ocean runs). All stainless hardware and it worked great.
 
H

Husqy510

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We had conquest build us a custom Bimini with all stainless poles for our Howard cat. It doesn't have a mesh strip, but we've had it up to 80 with no problems
 
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