| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 1:46:22 PM
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I'm looking for input, answers, and data relating to the following questions.
1. Brand and age of your pontoon....is your Bimini OEM or aftermarket.
2. How fast is your pontoon.....what speeds do you operate the boat with top on. Do you fold the top down for any particular speeds?
3. Have you ever had a top failure (structural)? If so, do you think it was caused by speed?
4. Do you know of any particular brand of aftermarket top that is excellent at handling higher speeds?
5. What is the highest speed your top is rated for?
I see pontoons driving between 20 and 40 mph all the time on the lake, and have never seen or heard of a complete structural frame failure (of the bimini top) from any of my friends. I had a structural failure on the 4th. The failure was partially my fault as I was operating above recommended speeds (15mph is printed deep in the manual) , but I also believe there was a defect in the tubing from the way the failure presented itself. Because I admitted I was operating at higher than recommended speeds, I am currently getting no warranty relief or even an acceptance of partial responsibility from the manufacturer, so I'm looking for a larger data base of information. If the failure was all my fault, the product wasn't the quality I thought I was purchasing (I'll have more on that later when I see if the company makes any effort at customer good will). ....Anyway, if I do decide they have a substandard product that they won't back up at all, I'll need recommendations on excellent aftermarket products. Thanks.
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 2:28:30 PM
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If your boat goes fast enough for the bikini tops to have a structural failure .... next time you get the bumpers loaded up - I want to ride...
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 2:38:06 PM
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I have a 2009 Bennington 2275RLI with a Yam 150 (pretty much the same boat as Mav with less motor and features), with a factory bim on the back and an aftermarket on the front. Top end is around 35+. Run with both tops up most of the time and have not had any problems. The frame on the factory top is a bit heavier than the aftermarket, eventhough both have 1 1/4" tube. Got the aftermarket through Overtons last year and have been pleased with it.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 3:07:04 PM
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McGill only issue I have had with my bimini is the darn anchor light will not stay upright at 50 MPH, other than that it shakes rattles and roars at 50, but no damage yet and heck my mastercraft has a aftermarket top and at 50 never had an issue with the top or frame, I think your failure is workmanship as 1 1/4" tube should not break at 50+ MPH, my biggest concern has been the top itself pulling apart at the seams not the tubing, good luck.
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It's all the cycles of heating up and cooling down as his toon goes through the sound barrier when he rams it to the fire wall.
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 3:32:57 PM
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Think NC is right. You should try a boat engine rather than one borrowed from work!
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| Name: |
BoatsRFun
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 3:34:57 PM
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Hey McGill, think you told me you were outrunning a thunderstorm when it broke, if you were running 50+ and hit a 20-40mph gust of wind......well that might just be enough to break the frame...jes sayin
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 3:44:20 PM
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I think BRF is onto the probable cause of your failure. I have am 8' bimini on my open bow v-hull and it's capable of 50+ and have had no problems, BUT I have 1" stainless round tubing which is infinitely stronger than aluminum square tubing. One fix to consider, if your canvas is ok, would be to replace tubing with stainless. Remember, they use aluminum because it's cheaper, not better.
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 3:55:33 PM (updated 7/13/2011 3:56:16 PM)
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We were making a run for home, but the storm was still far enough off and I didn't feel any frontal gusts. The water was a little rough and I wasn't running wide open but was up around 30...I usually put the top in the boot if I plan on making a run above 35mph because I want to protect the fabric (I didn't plan on the tubes snapping in half). On July 3rd, I did make a 50+ run for home, but put the top in the boot (I think that's the one we talked about). From what I can tell, most everyone (who can) runs in this speed range on a regular basis with no problems. That's why I'm looking for information...I believe I had a bad tube.
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| Name: |
Lifer
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 4:37:52 PM
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McGill I have never run on open water at those speeds with a bimini up, but I can assure you I have ridden down many a mile of hiway with them up and NEVER seen a tube break. In fact I would say that if your sewn top is OK and the metal tube is broken then it must, in fact, be defective. Cloth, nylon or even vinyl thread should rip long before metal breaks.
Can you be more specific? Did it break at a weld? Was it a clip piece that broke? Had the piece been bent previuos due to improper stowage an/or bouncing due to rough water? Inquiring minds want to know...lol.
I can assure you that any manufacturers frame will be heavier gauge and steadier than aftermarket. Most aftermarket tops come with a 4 strap system and no back legs cruising in the 3/4 position so be careful when you order one. I have actaully had back legs made for a couple of aftermarket tops in the past. Your best bet may be to have the old one repaired. There are several competent welders in the area.
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| Name: |
Barneget
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 4:44:25 PM
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Benninton 2575 rl with oe double bimini and 250 yamaha. Boat will run 52 knots by gps, but never ran over 35 with bimini set out. Frame shakes like a yorkie after a bath as speed approaches mid 30's so never pushed past 35.
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 4:50:18 PM
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It broke where the 2 center support poles meet. They are bolted together with a bracket, and a hole is drilled through the tube which would cause some weakness. From the way it cracked, it looks like the metal may have been scored. When one side broke, the top caught the wind and the other side began to bend and then cracked in half too... I immediately came to idle but the damage was done. The canvas is basically ok, but a zipper popped and a few stitches pulled....I can get canvas fixed if needed.
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| Name: |
Lifer
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 5:18:44 PM
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Hmm... sounds fishy to me. I would consider repair before aftermarket however. The aftermarkets are rarely as good as original. Some are even cut in half down the middle and screwed together by the consumer just so they dont have to pay oversize shipping to ship them in one piece. Satterfield machine shop in Alex City may even be able to build a complete replacement using the old frame as a pattern. It would also be a way to upgrade the gauge of aluminum so as to assure it never happening again. Good luck and let us know what happens.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Whew. Pontoon tops..... OK.
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Date:
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7/13/2011 6:51:01 PM
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For reference....
1. Brand and age of your pontoon....is your Bimini OEM or aftermarket.
2. How fast is your pontoon.....what speeds do you operate the boat with top on. Do you fold the top down for any particular speeds?
3. Have you ever had a top failure (structural)? If so, do you think it was caused by speed?
4. Do you know of any particular brand of aftermarket top that is excellent at handling higher speeds?
5. What is the highest speed your top is rated for?
#1- Douglas Marine Skater, 2001 model. OEM Top.....
#2- Fiberglass pontoon. Tuned properly, 150mph plus. Only done once with top on. Folded it down, and same chit happened again. uH HUH, speed was a factor. Go figure.
#3- Failure ain't the word for it. The dam* thing nearly whipped our butts to death before we could stop. Yep, speed had something to do with it. Ya think?
#4- The only brand I know of is F-16 Canopy from fighter jet. Call the U.S. Air Force. $4,000 and it will not fail.
#5- F-16 Canopy rated for Mach 2. But, if I was you, I would Woo up about 200.
JES SAYIN'.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
BIGFOOT...
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Date:
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7/13/2011 7:27:30 PM
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Did you just spew again???????
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Pontoons and Bimini Tops
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Date:
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7/13/2011 8:31:38 PM
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With a couple of Yorkies in the house, I know exactly what you mean.......
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
MONOPOLY....
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Date:
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7/13/2011 9:41:43 PM
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| Name: |
BigFoot
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| Subject: |
BIGFOOT...
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Date:
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7/13/2011 9:51:06 PM (updated 7/13/2011 9:52:26 PM)
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Yeahh I did...Imma' still spewing...
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