Towing lesson

[radge2001]

I took my 2017 AR210 to Lake Havasu from Phoenix this weekend and learned a valuable lesson. I was 1.5 hours into the 3 hour drive when I noticed the stowed bimini had separated. The straps held, but it literally came apart at the seams.
I probably have about 1000 miles on the trailer since I bought it in January. I questioned the method of storage to myself previously thinking I should reinforce it or remove entirely when towing, but didn't act (my own fault).

Any chance Yamaha will cover this? Below is what I gave the dealer for a claim.

Dear Sir,
Please submit the following for warranty claim. I was driving down the freeway at speed when I noticed the canvas bimini storage straps had ripped at the seams from the attach points. By the time I had noticed, the forward facing bar had been lost along with the storage bag. After retracing my drive I did find the storage bag.

Items requiring replacement include:
-The entire canvas top (ripped seams)
-The forward facing bar along with the two smaller attach bars that assist with it staying erect (lost).
-The canvas storage bag (destroyed).

Please see the attached photos and let me know if there is anything else you need for a warranty claim submission.

Thank You,

 

[Ancient canoe]

So it was down and get ripped up, or did you have it up?

 

[haknslash]

Sucks but honestly it doesn't surprise me. I've made posts on here showing how crappy the boot is for the Bimini https://jetboaters.net/threads/anyone-know-of-a-cheaper-place-to-buy-a-bimini-cover-boot.13276/. My zipper seams immediately started to come apart. The cover is unbelievably expensive too. Last time I checked it was over $200!!! I plan to file mine at the end of the season to hopefully get a new one. I have documented mine failing from the get go.

 

[radge2001]

So it was down and get ripped up, or did you have it up?

It was up and stowed in the boot.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Almost glad that I have a pain in the A$$ bimini to put on seeing this...

 

[Ancient canoe]

That's pretty crappy quality. I would think that after a few years of weather damage that cheap fabric might tear to shreds like that, which wouldn't be bad if OEM replacements were cheap. Is there something about the biminis that won't allow non OEM to work. Hopefully they cover under warranty, but if OEM is going to go that fast it's probably something that you are going to have to come up with another solution regardless. Especially if you tow a lot on the highways.

 

[haknslash]

BTW anyone that has a forward swept AR style Bimini, don't look close at the seams of your Bimini from underneath once deployed or your blood pressure may rise or you might even begin to shed a tear. In 2 seasons I can see seams beginning to come apart due to the high stress of the rear most "adjustment" poles which I know on 19' AR towers don't allow for a looser fit of the bimini once deployed. It's as if the Bimini is not made for the frame or to allow for any use of the adjustment poles on the rear because its so tight on the first (loosest) adjustable setting.

I plan to cut my forward poles a little to relieve the stress on the bimini which will allow me to actually be abler to use the damn adjustment (telescoping) poles on the rear. One 19' member has already paved the way for this simple yet effective mod https://jetboaters.net/threads/ar195-bimini-adjustment.13843/#post-239660. It should have been better designed so that owners shouldn't have to modify and fix their mistakes.

 

[Matt Phillips]

On my old 232, i had to bungee cord mine around tge storage sleece and safety pin the zippets shut...

i learned tge hard way how easily they come loose...

 

[jameskeller76]

Yamaha has a tendency to deny just about everything but good luck!

 

[Neutron]

BTW anyone that has a forward swept AR style Bimini, don't look close at the seams of your Bimini from underneath once deployed or your blood pressure may rise or you might even begin to shed a tear. In 2 seasons I can see seams beginning to come apart due to the high stress of the rear most "adjustment" poles which I know on 19' AR towers don't allow for a looser fit of the bimini once deployed. It's as if the Bimini is not made for the frame or to allow for any use of the adjustment poles on the rear because its so tight on the first (loosest) adjustable setting.

I plan to cut my forward poles a little to relieve the stress on the bimini which will allow me to actually be abler to use the damn adjustment (telescoping) poles on the rear. One 19' member has already paved the way for this simple yet effective mod https://jetboaters.net/threads/ar195-bimini-adjustment.13843/#post-239660. It should have been better designed so that owners shouldn't have to modify and fix their mistakes.

I removed my 2 forward poles, removed the black end caps and cut approximately 1 inch off of each. Now i can put in lowest setting. I could bearly get in middle slot prior

 

[viper15]

I removed my 2 forward poles, removed the black end caps and cut approximately 1 inch off of each. Now i can put in lowest setting. I could bearly get in middle slot prior

I thought of doing that as well. Unfortunately, on my bimini, that would have moved the slot for the tow/light back to far. The front of the slot would then contact the tow point and then wouldn't fit very nice. So my other solution was to cut back the rear support poles. @haknslash provided the link to my mod. If your solution works for others - great! Your fix is a bit easier.

 

[viper15]

Yamaha has a tendency to deny just about everything but good luck!

Don't feel that they treat their customers this way for just the jet boat crowd. They pull the same crap for us Yamaha snowmobile owners too .....

 

[Ancient canoe]

So I am guessing will start seeing lots of bimini threads since the forward swept tower design being a couple years old now. With a redesign for the 2020 models?

 

[Neutron]

I thought of doing that as well. Unfortunately, on my bimini, that would have moved the slot for the tow/light back to far. The front of the slot would then contact the tow point and then wouldn't fit very nice. So my other solution was to cut back the rear support poles. @haknslash provided the link to my mod. If your solution works for others - great! Your fix is a bit easier.

After done there was no interference with the tow point/ light at all on my boat. Maybe the 240 gives more leeway

 

[radge2001]

I took my 2017 AR210 to Lake Havasu from Phoenix this weekend and learned a valuable lesson. I was 1.5 hours into the 3 hour drive when I noticed the stowed bimini had separated. The straps held, but it literally came apart at the seams.
I probably have about 1000 miles on the trailer since I bought it in January. I questioned the method of storage to myself previously thinking I should reinforce it or remove entirely when towing, but didn't act (my own fault).

Any chance Yamaha will cover this? Below is what I gave the dealer for a claim.

Dear Sir,
Please submit the following for warranty claim. I was driving down the freeway at speed when I noticed the canvas bimini storage straps had ripped at the seams from the attach points. By the time I had noticed, the forward facing bar had been lost along with the storage bag. After retracing my drive I did find the storage bag.

Items requiring replacement include:
-The entire canvas top (ripped seams)
-The forward facing bar along with the two smaller attach bars that assist with it staying erect (lost).
-The canvas storage bag (destroyed).

Please see the attached photos and let me know if there is anything else you need for a warranty claim submission.

Thank You,

Great news, Yamaha has agreed to cover everything under warranty!

 

[Neutron]

thats great news, congrats