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I have a 2008 Montauk 150 with a bimini. We love it and use it a lot but I'm surprised how "shitty" it fits when down . It rubs very bad against the gunnel or inside when stored down while trailering. When we are on the boat and don't use it I just keep it up stored in it's cover and sometimes use the straps to the console rail. When opened I have all for straps taught and it loks good and does its job.
It is when down I have my complaints. I even went as far as putting plastic tubing around the SS to keep the stainless steel tubing from rubbing up agains the boat and or support on top of the gunwale.

Does anybody else experience this rubbing problem. I use bugees tied to my railing to keep it from moving but it still does.
Is this normal? or was mine an aftermarket one even though it came like that from the BW dealer.
http://wilsonbrinker.com/ej/1000%20is...%20174.JPG bimini up and open
http://wilsonbrinker.com/ej/1000%20is...20168a.jpg shows plastic tubing
http://wilsonbrinker.com/ej/1000%20is...20213a.jpg bimini up and closed

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I have a 170 and the same problems. I've had better luck with straps made of double-sided 2" industrial grade Velcro. They don't give like the bungee cords.

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I have a 2012 150 Montauk and have the exact same problem. When I store the boat and drop the bimini I actually wrap/tie the bimini poles with an old t-shirt to prevent rubbing as well as the supports from dropping out of the black plastic pole lock.

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Mine does the same thing. I have a 2006 150. I'm looking for a solution to this as well.

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So it is a design problem as I assume we all have factory supplied biminis. I'm disappointed in BW or Wm. J. Mills & Co.
I've used cut up noodles, cloth, and now the clear tubing over the SS to keep the bimini support tubing from damaging the inside of the gunnel, but we shouldn't have to do any of this on a quality boat.
With winter coming up I'll put my mind to it and come up with an inexpensive solution in the mean time I'll switch to the sail-tie velcro straps although my bungee are the very short 2" loop and ball kind.
I'll keep you all informed.

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I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I think trailering causes the most rubbing/damage.

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Yes trailering does the damage but isn't that why we have smaller boats (to trailer) I never had rubbing problems with any of my big boats as the were tied of correctly but you can't tie these biminies off.

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I have not been able to come up with anything better than the clear tubing slit over the SS tubing. So right now that is were it stands(lays).
I keep thinking about it every time I'm on the boat but than forget about as I'm boating which is more fun.

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What about using that foam pipe insulation?

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Same problem here with my 1976 Sport 15. Have been brain storming for solution for a while...

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I solved a similar problem on my 1988 15' Center Console by purchasing a brace kit that lets me store the bimini top in an "arched position". Works great.

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For both my Montauk and Outrage, I stowed/trailered my bimini in it's cover and bungie strapped to the bow rail in the corners.

My issue was the bimini lifting up due to large waves. Never had a rattle.

Not seeing the big deal.

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Thanks all for your comments and statements and in response I use bungees to the bow rail(s) also when trailering you still will have a bouncing effect causing the SS to rub against the inside corner of the gunnel and'or the receiver with the pin for the front support. The rubbing will deteriorate the gel-coat or cause the pin to slide out which in turn flaps in the wind and mark the top of the gunnel.
When boating my top is always up in either closed or open position with straps to center of shepherds hook and aft causing no problems at all. It is trailering that causes a problem.
I've done the hollow cut in half "noodle" thing and they don't last long and look ugly flapping around unless taped on which is too much work, hence I went with the clear soft plastic water tubing slid over the SS front supports. (the ones that snap in on the bottom when top is down)

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Use 1 bungie to tie the bows together and then 2 to secure to the rails. Trailering or underway, problem solved.

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I have thought,
I have tried,
came up with solutions and after this season,
Phil is right the only in-expensive solution is to suspend the folded top with bungies from the front side railing.

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Here's our solution, we just leave the bimini off the boat most of the time. The only time we put it on is when we have guests that might be sensitive to the sun.

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As a take off on this idea I have used some of the thicker 4" diameter pool noodles wrapped around the stainless steel supports of the top. This seems to work well and prevents rubbing against the gun ales while trailering.

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Just installed a new Mill Canvas on our 2008 150 Montauk. It also mounts on an aluminum slide track, so when it's down, it slides forward snugly almost touching front railings. It then has a strap that clips to the fron cleat. No bouncing around or movement. When the top is raised, it slides back in the track to the appropriate place fore and aft.
In addition, every piece of stainless steel tubing has a "black rubber donut" that "cushions" and does not allow tubing to touch each other, the gunwale or rattle. It is SLICK!
Expensive?Yup!!! But you just can't beat Mills.
I have never posted a pic on this sight....I'll give it a whirl.

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Let's see if this works??
If you look closely, or expand the pic, you can see the black rubber donuts from Mills Canvas

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/macfa....jpeg.html

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Same problem on my 1967…starboard side rubs and I ended up doing the exact same thing you did with the clear/soft plastic tubing – which does help.

My buddy has a grady and I noticed that his bimini cover actually has straps sewn into the cover that connect to snaps by his anchor locker – keeps it from lifting while underway or trailering. Thinking of getting some added to mine since I need to get a new zipper put on anyway

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Capecodder apparently Mills does a better job than the OEM bimini I have on our 2008 Montauk 150. No sliding rails, but the bungees and clear plastic cover over the stainless is doing a great job 2 years later.