2018 242x Bimini Discussion

[Ryan Esparza]

First post, new to the site seeking opinions. So my wife and I want to purchase a 2018 242x e-series. One major concern. The Bimini is HUGE!!! She is a sun lover. So my question, has anyone removed the Bimini “cage” and ran with just the tower and speakers? It appears to be just a couple of bolts and one electrical connection. Secondly Yamaha states not to trailer with the Bimini canvas on.....salesman says not an issue and can trailer at highway speeds. I’m not sold on that one. Not a fan of having to take the canvass off every time I trailer. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Julian]

I wouldn't trailer at highway speeds with the Bimini canvas on. It would put too much stress and pressure on the fabric.

We live in the south and everyone fights over the shade. Sunlovers hang out in the bow or stern.

 

[Ryan Esparza]

I agree with trailering, we do most of our boating in Wisconsin, I have a bimini on our current boat and only used it on a handful of 100°+ days.

 

[Mainah]

When we bought our 2016 242 LS instead of a 242X it was because we lived in Maine at the time and felt the Bimini was too big on the X. While in Maine we never regretted our decision and felt the Bimini size was perfect for when we needed it and loved how easy it is to stow (it was stowed most of the time). Now that we live in South Carolina we wish we had the X Bimini. If an X owner wanted to swap towers/bimini with us we would be more than willing to strike a deal. I would even be willing to drive to Wisconsin and pay a paint/power coating shop to do the swap on both towers while making them match the colors they should be if needed. I do belive the base bolt pattern on the LS and X towers are exactly the same.

As for trailering with the canvas on I see muliple issues. One with damage to the fiber integrity, another with it poosibly acting like a wing making the trailer squirrelly, and lastly casuing microshifting of the bimini frame creating accelerated wear of any connection points. To me the risk of it making the trailer squirrelly is just not worth it.

 

[swatski]

When we bought our 2016 242 LS instead of a 242X it was because we lived in Maine at the time and felt the Bimini was too big on the X. While in Maine we never regretted our decision and felt the Bimini size was perfect for when we needed it and loved how easy it is to stow (it was stowed most of the time). Now that we live in South Carolina we wish we had the X Bimini. If an X owner wanted to swap towers/bimini with us we would be more than willing to strike a deal. I would even be willing to drive to Wisconsin and pay a paint/power coating shop to do the swap on both towers while making them match the colors they should be if needed. I do belive the base bolt pattern on the LS and X towers are exactly the same.

As for trailering with the canvas on I see muliple issues. One with damage to the fiber integrity, another with it poosibly acting like a wing making the trailer squirrelly, and lastly casuing microshifting of the bimini frame creating accelerated wear of any connection points. To me the risk of it making the trailer squirrelly is just not worth it.

The X tower has 3 bolts (instead of two) and an additional horizontal bar. But the hull/cap is the same, I believe it have the same cut-outs.

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[Mainah]

The LS tower has three bolts per side.

 

[Julian]

When we bought our 2016 242 LS instead of a 242X it was because we lived in Maine at the time and felt the Bimini was too big on the X. While in Maine we never regretted our decision and felt the Bimini size was perfect for when we needed it and loved how easy it is to stow (it was stowed most of the time). Now that we live in South Carolina we wish we had the X Bimini. If an X owner wanted to swap towers/bimini with us we would be more than willing to strike a deal. I would even be willing to drive to Wisconsin and pay a paint/power coating shop to do the swap on both towers while making them match the colors they should be if needed. I do belive the base bolt pattern on the LS and X towers are exactly the same.

As for trailering with the canvas on I see muliple issues. One with damage to the fiber integrity, another with it poosibly acting like a wing making the trailer squirrelly, and lastly casuing microshifting of the bimini frame creating accelerated wear of any connection points. To me the risk of it making the trailer squirrelly is just not worth it.

Yup, the location you boat in makes all the difference! When we lived in IL and boated in WI and north of there, we only ever used the bimini if it rained, and then we connected our custom camper cover to it (2005 SX 230). When we moved to NC, the bimini gets used EVERY trip - except for the early and late season ones...and even then, people simply move to the bow if its cool. Clearly the designers live in the south and didn't consider the demand for X boats without huge biminis!

 

[captras]

First post, new to the site seeking opinions. So my wife and I want to purchase a 2018 242x e-series. One major concern. The Bimini is HUGE!!! She is a sun lover. So my question, has anyone removed the Bimini “cage” and ran with just the tower and speakers? It appears to be just a couple of bolts and one electrical connection. Secondly Yamaha states not to trailer with the Bimini canvas on.....salesman says not an issue and can trailer at highway speeds. I’m not sold on that one. Not a fan of having to take the canvass off every time I trailer. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I was told when I purchases my 242 Limited SE, not to trailer with the cover on at speeds in excess of 60MPH.....so short trips back and forth to the ramp/marina are not a problem. I would not go long distances. Taking it off is pretty easy, putting it back on is a PITA until you figure it out!

 

[Bruce]

@swatski, could use an X tower and Bimini.......

 

[Matt Phillips]

You're sales person is a doof. My 2017 manual says no more than like 40 or 45 with the Bimini on. Thus whenever I tow, it gets stowed.

We found last season that the large Bimini was much nicer than the one on our 2009 Yamaha. Anyone who would want sun goes up to the bow whereas people in the cockpit have shade. It also appears that for 2018 Yamaha has created a "sunroof" in the back of the Bimini so you can open it up a bit.

My recommendation would be to try it and see how the wife likes it.

 

[blacksapphirez]

@swatski, could use an X tower and Bimini.......

pushing wrong buttons @Bruce ! lol good thing @swatski has good sense of humor

 

[captras]

You're sales person is a doof. My 2017 manual says no more than like 40 or 45 with the Bimini on. Thus whenever I tow, it gets stowed.

We found last season that the large Bimini was much nicer than the one on our 2009 Yamaha. Anyone who would want sun goes up to the bow whereas people in the cockpit have shade. It also appears that for 2018 Yamaha has created a "sunroof" in the back of the Bimini so you can open it up a bit.

My recommendation would be to try it and see how the wife likes it.

Well doof or not, the 2016 manual mentions no towing speed for the E/X series. In my 2016 manual, on page 110, it does say a max of 45 MPH, but that is for the 240 and the 242 Limited, which have totally different biminis.

 

[swatski]

The LS tower has three bolts per side.

I stand corrected. You would think I would know...LOL
X:


LS:


AR:


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[swatski]

@swatski, could use an X tower and Bimini.......

Nah. I got me a helmet.

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[swatski]

I gave up looking for an X tower, and paying close to 10k for a new is not an option!
Got this one - just received it but not tested yet - will see how it does:

It is not meant to be used while running, but I'm willing to take a risk while wakesurfing - this thing should be fine at 10mph.

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[Peter Dunn]

I purchased the 2017-24X e-series and it was driven from New York to Portland with the Bimini -no issues. The boat has quite a large bimini which I love however there are lots of places to go the boat to get sun. I thought the 2018-242X has a cut-out bimini that can be opened. I took the bimini off the storing this winter wasn't too bad, but not something I'd want to do every time I go out.

 

[Williamsone46]

First post, new to the site seeking opinions. So my wife and I want to purchase a 2018 242x e-series. One major concern. The Bimini is HUGE!!! She is a sun lover. So my question, has anyone removed the Bimini “cage” and ran with just the tower and speakers? It appears to be just a couple of bolts and one electrical connection. Secondly Yamaha states not to trailer with the Bimini canvas on.....salesman says not an issue and can trailer at highway speeds. I’m not sold on that one. Not a fan of having to take the canvass off every time I trailer. Any thoughts? Thanks!

How do you feel about the sun roof on the new 2018 E-Series bimini? Does that allow enough sun through it?

 

[jcyamaharider]

We take ours on and off everytime. No way i would tow with mine on over highway speeds. I also don"t tow with antipooling poles in so I can see this will be a two sided discussion like that.

 

[Glen]

Had our X for 2 full seasons in VA. About 200 hours.

Local trips, most times tow 45 minutes @ 55mph (not hwy, but open 4 lane road, mostly)
Multiple trips to FL; 14 hours (Bimini)
Multiple trips to NY; 7 hours (where I grew up)

I've never taken bimini down for local trips. Boat goes 50. Add a bit of headwind and must have been designed for 60+ (I figure). No issues.
Clearly, I don't heed manuals much-

I do pull the bimini down when going more than an hour or 2.

The first 2-3 times you put on the bimini it takes 2o minutes and can be a bit frustrating, but now it is a snap and takes about 10 minutes.

[Edit]
On the cover part.
I take cover off for towing locally (leave in garage)
I leave cover on and release the anti-pooling polls when towing to NY. Also put a split swim noodle on the top of the windshield to minimize wear. Most times take ski mirror off as well-
I use the shipping cover w/ noodles, without anti-pooling poles, when towing to FL. I also use the shipping cover for the Winter, with anti-pooling poles (and no bimini, or speakers).

.02

 

[swatski]

now it is a snap and takes about 10 minutes.

Funny. Not to hijack (rather - just to make y'all 242X owners feel better about your biminis!) - the AR240 bimini takes about as long if not longer to fold back in place...
That little bimini is a nightmare to fold back and secure in the boot, I ended up buying a set of long "gear ties" which help - since I only have two hands and you need more. Those are great, I keep some in the boat.

Not a great pic - but that's how I use the ties also for short tows:


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