Bimini cruising speed

[Scootimus]

Ok so I'm new to the whole boating thing and I don't want to be cruising the water and ripping my top off so......... Ballpark, what speed do you guys normally cruise at with the top up and at what speed would you say heck no to with the top up?

I have a 96 Stingray 586 with the 4.3 merc.

Thanks!

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

Welcome to iboats!

If you're talking strictly bimini with no other canvas attached, I would say that you can't go fast enough in your boat to "rip it off."

I've run 17' to 23' bowriders up to 45 mph (gps) with no issues. I guess it depends on how good your material is, and how well it is fastened to the boat itself. I suppose really cheap cloth and a poor fitting support structure could result in a 55 mph pass ending in an expensive lesson in aerodynamics.

Cheers!

 

[Scootimus]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

Lol, I doubt I will be testing the physics and aerodynamics of the top in 50+ speeds but I was hoping that some low 40's wouldn't hurt. I will be taking her out Sunday and will have the gps on board to get some reference speed.

Happy boating!

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

Lol, I doubt I will be testing the physics and aerodynamics of the top in 50+ speeds but I was hoping that some low 40's wouldn't hurt. I will be taking her out Sunday and will have the gps on board to get some reference speed.

Happy boating!

I cruise around all day, and at times at WOT (I hit just over 50 MPH at WOT) w/ my bimini up with no problems at all. As long as the support straps are secured properly, you shouldn't have a problem either.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

My biminis each have a label that says "DO NOT EXCEED 35 MPH WITH THE BIMINI TOP OPEN". See if yours has a label.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

Scoot...put a twist in each strap to prevent the flapping and RUN IT!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

I've run 40 with mine and have had 3 or so on different boats...each performed differently as I mention herein. Ensure that you have good anchors on the tie straps especially and watch the top. If it develops a serious airfoil look then slow down. If not enjoy. All applications are different as there are different things affecting the air approaching the top and the air across the top. Some tops have a vertical built up area around the perimeter of the top which helps to stabilize it (and look good). Things like your bow positions can make a difference for example. Some tops are adjusted to be flat across the top, others have an arch to them. Obviously the airfoil on both adjustments will be different. That is something else you might do and that is to tweak your bows to change the shape of your top and find out which is the least affected by your speed.

HTH,
Mark

 

[Philster]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

Mine is supposedly rated for 'high speed' and is made from the same material they make convertible car tops from. I still wouldn't try it past 40 or so.

Generally, I use bimini tops for long stretches of no-wake zones and for anchoring up somewhere.

How fast you can go and how long it lasts overall depends on your bimini material, maker and overall fit and mounting hardware.
.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

I have run at 40 to 45 with mine and had no issues. I have run at say 35 or so for extended distances with no issues.

I have not towed with it up. I have some people towing with them up but not me.

 

[V153]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

I've run 55.9 with mine, no problems. However I built and sewed this top to withstand high speeds. Yes twist the straps to keep them from flapping (old trucker trick).

Whenever I see someone towing with canvas up it always puts a smile on my face. Cuz they'll probly be in to see me for a restitch/repair. Most tops were not designed to do more than about 40 mph.

As was mentioned previously, set-up has everything to do with it. Cocked too far fwd it'll act as a spoiler, too far aft'n it'll bag wind. Neither of these being particularly good for the top. Not to mention your top end. Even a perfectly aligned top'll slow you down at least 1 1/2 - 2 mph.

That's not a patch on my top btw. It's a sample of a new Sunbrella color called "Smoke". Matches my Baja's grey carpet perfectly. Soon as I get a couple extra bucks I'm gonna remake mine.

 

[V153]

Woops wrong pic

Woops wrong pic

Oops wrong pic! Here ya go:

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Woops wrong pic

Re: Woops wrong pic

I've run mine wide open but typically cruise about 35. It all depends on your top and hardware. Mine is pretty beefy - no straps, all hardware. That said, I've also seen them shake, rattle, and roll on other boats going down the river. You also may notice a change in handling with the top up.

 

[Scootimus]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

Thanks for all the responses guys. From what I've been told the boat will do a max of 50 with ideal conditions but I have not attempted that yet. I normally cruise at 30 - 32 according to the gps. Made it up to 38 yesterday for a short stint without any issue. I do have some twists in the straps to keep the flappy flappy down. I know with the top up it's just a big sail catching all the air and slowing things down. I don't plan on going full bore everywhere. I will just keep an eye on it and see how she goes. I will also keep in mind not to have it up when we do start the towing.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

I'll run 30-35 mph with the Bimini up. If I want to go faster it comes down. Depending on where the anchor points are, how strong they are and how strong the fabric is you may be able to go faster. I learned a lesson one day trying to run back to the dock ahead of a thunderstorm. The top was up and I was running just over 50 mph when a gust hit and peeled the top of the window frame off, as that was where the Bimini was anchored. The gust plus speed probably was around 80 mph. Fortunately, I was able to repair it at home.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Bimini cruising speed

The bimini scrubs at least 3-5 MPH from my top speed. It shakes fairly good at 35 MPH, and it ripped the front strap cleat out once at about 40. It was pop-riveted in, but I replaced with screws and no issues since. Its not a big deal to close it for higher speeds, so I usually do.