HOW TO: Take Down/Put Up Gladiator Tower Bimini

[Dreamer 96]

My canvas flops around a little on the shortest leg settings. It takes some effort to get it to click in on the longest leg settings but the canvas is really tight.

[Bongo Fury 640]

Thats where we have ours to Dreamer...as tight as it will go....

[bhanson 12]

Doc, this is very helpful as I am trying to figure out the bimini on my new Typhoon. One question: in the final "strapped down and ready for travel" picture, are the two long legs still in the brackets, or are they disconnected and strapped to the tower? On my Typhoon, I can do everything you suggest except the long legs cannot rotate backwards enough to allow the booted bimini to rest on the tower, so after I get everything booted up I need to remove the long legs from the brackets and just strap the entire assembly to the tower. Thanks for the help !

[DarksideR 1,679]

That's strange bhanson. Mine folds back just fine still attached. But it sits on top of the tower light/tow knob. So I have to shorten the legs to a non locked in position. I think it's pretty funny that we all have the same equipment but different issues... some quality control issues at the plant maybe?

Also, one of my quick release buttons is very sticky. I can't release the support leg without the aid of a coin or screwdriver or key. Might have to replace it.

[Cdifranco 463]

Mint!! I needed this bad. I don't care what anyone says this bimini has been the biggest pain out of anything on my boat. Even the smallest rattle to me is unacceptable and will drive me crazy after spending a fortune. Sadly its always the starboard side that rattles too! Question does anyone's bimini really sit flat? I want to have board sleeves sewn into the top of my bimini to avoid additional racks since surf style boards wont fit for me and cant see how it'll work when my biminis almost at a downward angle.

 

Not too worried about board delamination as the sun here is not as hot as some of you guys get it in Texas etc.

[DrNate 426]

Mint!! I needed this bad. I don't care what anyone says this bimini has been the biggest pain out of anything on my boat. Even the smallest rattle to me is unacceptable and will drive me crazy after spending a fortune. Sadly its always the starboard side that rattles too! Question does anyone's bimini really sit flat? I want to have board sleeves sewn into the top of my bimini to avoid additional racks since surf style boards wont fit for me and cant see how it'll work when my biminis almost at a downward angle.

 

Not too worried about board delamination as the sun here is not as hot as some of you guys get it in Texas etc.

 

Yeah, mine doesn't really sit flat, it has a curve/bow to it. Not sure how that would work with board sleeves. I second you on the bimini being a huge thorn in my side, however. It is a super pain to put up and take down.

[DarksideR 1,679]

I really don't find it THAT difficult. It's easier then the one on my last boat. AND, I can stand up under it! Would LOVE to have those board sleeves!!

[DrNate 426]

I got so frustrated with it that for a time, instead of folding it up and putting the boot on it, etc, I would just pop off the four points where it attaches to the tower and lay it in the boat. Bam, takes 2 minutes and done

[Cdifranco 463]

I give you guys who trailer often a lot of credit. Sometimes forget how much more work it is. Luckily for me the boat goes in in May and comes out in October. A no touching the bimini rule is enforced in between! I don't think I could live with out it though. The few days I waited for replacement parts I can remember having bad sunburns

[Bongo Fury 640]

X2 on trailering.....had to do it more last year because of the drought and it is for sure more work.....even though our boat sits on a covered lift, we take our bimini down when we leave for the week and leave it up on the weekends.

[bluesman280 99]

That's strange bhanson. Mine folds back just fine still attached. But it sits on top of the tower light/tow knob. So I have to shorten the legs to a non locked in position. I think it's pretty funny that we all have the same equipment but different issues... some quality control issues at the plant maybe?

Also, one of my quick release buttons is very sticky. I can't release the support leg without the aid of a coin or screwdriver or key. Might have to replace it.

Hey Dark, had the same problem with ours, just loosen off the mounting screws a hair and then the release button should work properly. If the screws are too tight the release button sticks.

[viking 491]

LOL......I trailer every time I want to get on the water. So just about every weekend. It's definitely a routine and depending on the weather at the lake sometimes the boat gets covered/uncovered multiple times and the bimini gets put up/down a couple of times if a bad storm is blowing through. YES IT IS A TON OF WORK

[rockballer 162]

I have started to take my top off while trailering. Have noticed that the cover rubs on the light on the top of the rack and has been putting holes in it.