How do Biminis collapse

[Sunscape fan]

I just bought a bimini for my 2007 Sunscape 23 LSV. I have an Illusion X tower that does not have a light at the top. I made enquiries with my dealer whether I could collapse the bimini and leave it on the tower. They told me no. I was told if I want to collapse it and put it in the bag, I would have to remove it from the tower. Is this true or can I collapse it and leave it on the tower. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[srab]

There is more than one bimini available for the Illusion tower. Mine is of the same manufacturer with which

they ship out the factory boats (Metcraft?). Mine easily collapses by releasing the rear legs on either side

and flipping the rear semi-circular portion of the frame up and forward, where it sits roughly on top of

the front edge of the tower. The next part is a bit of a PITA, but I remove the forward struts (and put

them in my glovebox), wherein the front portion of the bimini falls down almost to windshield level. It's

got to be lifted up and balanced on the tower until the bimini cover zipper can be latched around it. Once

started, I zip that sucker all the way, first making sure that the rear legs on either side are folded forward

and into the bimini cover. The cover has straps with buckles that then wrap around that portion of the

tower on which it rests. Once the buckles are snapped together, you're done.

Hope this helps, but maybe yours is an after-market bimini that works a little differently.

Edited October 26, 2008 by srab

[Sunscape fan]

There is more than one bimini available for the Illusion tower. Mine is of the same manufacturer with which

they ship out the factory boats (Metcraft?). Mine easily collapses by releasing the rear legs on either side

and flipping the rear semi-circular portion of the frame up and forward, where it sits roughly on top of

the front edge of the tower. The next part is a bit of a PITA, but I remove the forward struts (and put

them in my glovebox), wherein the front portion of the bimini falls down almost to windshield level. It's

got to be lifted up and balanced on the tower until the bimini cover zipper can be latched around it. Once

started, I zip that sucker all the way, first making sure that the rear legs on either side are folded forward

and into the bimini cover. The cover has straps with buckles that then wrap around that portion of the

tower on which it rests. Once the buckles are snapped together, you're done.

Hope this helps, but maybe yours is an after-market bimini that works a little differently.

I just checked and mine is a Metcraft as well. Thanks for the help I will try this the next time I install the bimini on my boat. Right now it is inside my house as my boat is winterized. Thanks again.