Bimini Top Boot issues

[Danny C]

Ok Guys and Gals, Bimini Top Question. Our original Bimini Top and boot was becoming worn out on our 2004 Chaparral 220SSI. We bit the bullet and had our local marine shop make us a custom new top and boot. First issues were Boot did not fit, they were missing strap holes on the Bimini, and they used the wrong material (Aqualon instead of the Sunbrella we agreed on). I decided to just accept the Aqualon after he quoted me the additional cost to switch it to Sunbrella as long as the fixed the boot and Bimini issues. I really did not feel like getting into why they should change to the Subrella for free so just decided to roll with what I got. Also, when I asked for my old OEM bimini top back that I gave them to use as a template (it was not in that bad of shape) to use as a back up, I was told it was destroyed to be used as a pattern for the new top. I get having to do this but let the customer know first.

Since I have had this new Bimini Top, the boot has flown off on the highway 3 times now just this summer. After the first time, I fashioned a steel cable and SS clip to clip the zipper to the Bimini hardware so it cannot unzip. Eventually, the steel cable wore though at the zipper and we lost it again on the highway. After that time I used two SS clips, and zip ties to keep the zipper from unzipping. Yesterday, I caught a glimpse of the bimini top flying off once again on the highway. This time the actual zipper broke in half.

We tow at normal highway speeds (60-70) and we tow with the bimini top up but in the boot. We were told by the dealer that this is the correct way to tow because if you lay it on the sundeck if will wear the upholstery.

I do not remember this being and issue with our OEM top. Does anyone have this issue? Any good solutions out there? I am sick of having to pull over and walk back a mile on the highway to look for the brand new top.

Also, my local Chap dealer is skeptical she will be able to find an OEM top for anything older than 5 years old. Does anyone know where to go to find OEM Bimini parts for Chaps? We love towing to different location and this is making us want to stay in one spot.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[bruceb58]

I never tow with the bimini top up after I had one break a mount and I lost the complete bimini.

My suggestion...don't tow with it up anymore. I remove mine and lay it in the boat on my Wellcraft and lay it down on the back cushion with my pontoon.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Mine lays flat when towing, too.

 

[briangcc]

I towed twice with it up, didn't like how much it bounced around so I store it inside the cockpit of the boat. Luckily it fits there as one thing I do not like is that my particular Chap does not have onboard storage for the top. My Four Winns with a convertible top had storage under the sunpad for it. I get they are different tops but still Chap could have done something similar to Four Winns as there is enough realestate under the sunpad to accomplish this with a few design changes.

As your top is new this year I'd be back at the dealer/upholstery shop complaining to make it right at no charge.

 

[bruceb58]

No need to have storage for a bimini like the older boats did with the convertible tops. When you are running around on the water, you can just keep the bimini up in the boot. The FourWinns doesn't do that anymore either since no one has convertible tops anymore.