Tow with windshield closed or open?

[d_coyne1984]

I'm not sure if it really matters, but is there a safer way to tow; windshield closed and latched or open and strapped?

Additionally, is it going to be more aerodynamic to tow with the windshield open or closed?

 

[PEARCE]

It's better to tow closed and latched and at highway speeds with the cover on. You'll lose less stuff like cushions and cup holders and beer koozies that way. The boat will also stay cleaner.

 

[LTM1964]

I tow with the cover on so I have to close the windshield.

If you tow without the cover, I guess it doesn't matter as long as the windshield stayed strapped.

We found that towing with the cover is more practical as there is no chance of anything blowing out. Some say it is impossible for the seat cushions to blow out, others say it happens. With the cover, fortunately I will never find out. Since the SX192 has a bimini top, it needs the cover on to hold it in place while towing. We can also leave wet items in the boat for the tow home.

 

[octavio3311]

Closed and latched for sure.

 

[Gym]

If you're towing uncovered the winshield open or closed is only about 1/3 of the glass area so should not make an appreciable difference. As others have said keeping the wind from grabbing your seat cushions would dictate keeping it closed.

 

[DUSTOFF]

If I am only towing to the lake across town (speed limit 35 all the way) I will sometimes just have the bow cover on, bimini up and windshield closed. (After posting this I realize that is exactly how I have the boat set up in my signature photo, for a tow across town)

If I go further or on roads with higher speed limits I will have the bimini stowed and cockpit cover on as well.

 

[Matt Phillips]

When I tow, the towing cover is on. Not only does this keep things from flying out, it keeps people from looking in. Additionally, I always seem to come back from the lake with wet pull toys, life jackets, towels, ropes, fenders, etc. Most of those will go onto the already wet carpet as shown in the picture below at the end of a Shasta trip a couple of years ago. Once I'm home, it all gets hung to dry.

The benefit of not putting it all away back under the seats is those compartments stay dry and thus have way less of a chance to mold.

 

[tdonoughue]

I was instructed by my dealer on delivery that towing with the windshield open was a recipe for a broken windshield. I did not get details, but that is what I was told. I have never towed with it open, cover or no cover.

 

[robert843]

Ok so I have to ask now I guess I'm doing something wrong but I tow with the cover on but the strap for the anti pooling poles goes through where the windshield is so how do you guys tow with the cover on and window closed? I guess I could pull the poles but the would leave the cover looser and be more prone to tears and rips while towing as the best way to tow with a cover is as tight as possible so it doesn't have a lot of movement during towing.

 

[Seadeals]

I don't tow with poles. Windshield closed and noodles on top of windshield frame. I also heard closing the door is a good idea too but have never really ridden back there to tell for sure!

 

[Big Shasta]

Ok so I have to ask now I guess I'm doing something wrong but I tow with the cover on but the strap for the anti pooling poles goes through where the windshield is so how do you guys tow with the cover on and window closed? I guess I could pull the poles but the would leave the cover looser and be more prone to tears and rips while towing as the best way to tow with a cover is as tight as possible so it doesn't have a lot of movement during towing.

You will rapidly wear a hole in the cover at the corners of the open windshield if you tow with it open and the cover on. The strap should just go over the windshield.

 

[2nazt]

Learn something new on this site all the time. I was doing as @robert843 was with windshield open. Now I know thanks @Big Shasta.

 

[SCSTWG]

I always tow with my custom snap-on covers on. A couple of years ago I went to the lake with a friend. I was following him and he had his boat uncovered. While on the highway one of his seat cushions took off like a kite and bounced down the highway. It was completely destroyed and cost $350 to replace.

 

[d_coyne1984]

I don't tow with poles. Windshield closed and noodles on top of windshield frame. I also heard closing the door is a good idea too but have never really ridden back there to tell for sure!

I really like your idea of noodle on the windshield frame. Thanks for that one, I am definitely going to copy.

 

[spaz944]

Always tow with windshield closed and cover on WITHOUT the pooling poles installed. Noodle slit and placed around the windshield frame to keep the rubber bump stop from rubbing a hole in the cover. No issues ever!!

 

[robert843]

For those of you towing with out poles when you store the boat and put the poles back in do you have it set up like @Big Shasta picture or do you have the window open then? I will have to try that the next time I'm down there but I'm not sure my pooling poles will set up the same with the window closed.

 

[spaz944]

I do mine the same as @Big Shasta's is set up.

 

[PEARCE]

When I've used the polls I've always closed the windshield.

 

[veedubtek]

You kinda have to, or else it doesn't anti-pool?

 

[Bill D]

My poles set up just as Big Shasta shows in his picture, over the closed windshield.

I always tow with the poles out, but depending on the scenario, I may leave the straps in place and simply remove the pole part. It just looks like the cover would shred where the front pole is.