Zipper on the back on the Bimini

[pdxWAKE.com]

The Bimini on my Illusion XS has a zipper on the back of it. Can anyone shed some light on what this is for?

[LS-One]

The zipper on my Tower bimini is to reach my hand through to connect the rope to the tow spindle.

[mattm]

Apparently, there is an extension that can be purchased for your bimini for quite a sizeable amount of money.

[Chappy]

It is for the optional bimini extension which adds about 15-16" to your bimini.

Edited September 16, 2009 by Chappy

[pdxWAKE.com]

Thank you. Thats what I had thought, but I have yet to see anyone with the extension.

Sounds like the price outways the extra 15 inches. And I am assuming that the option is impssible to find with the demise of Metcraft...

Seems kind of pointless anyway.

We use the Bimini all the time.

Has anyone tried adding straps or bungies to hold surfboards like the Z5?

We had a Supra 21V prior to this boat and got alot of use out of the Z5. But I am not a fan of any of the Z5 options Ive seen for the Malibu's. I dont even think that they make an option currently.

[Bake's Marine]

They make a Z5 Cargo Rack for the Illusion x tower, we had one on our 247 at the boat show a few years ago. They are really spendy though, get ready to buckle down around $1500-2K for a Z5 Rack.

The extension is not available since Metcraft is long gone, we've been making our own Bimini top's at Bake's for the IX and XS and we've been making them the maximum size possible (i think we've got them 6 or 8 inches larger than Metcraft's was) to still allow them to be collapsed into the storage boot. Bimini tops that had the Metcraft extension, you could not fold away in the boot making it really awkward if you had to take the bimini top off to tow on the freeway or take it off for storage.

Hope that info helped.

PS: One word of advise, remove all the bolts on your metcraft Bimini and put a drop of blue loc-tite on all the threads. We've have numerous people contacting us for parts because over time the bolts and small set screws vibrate loose. Loc-tite is a easy way to save the headache.

Cheers!

-Paul

[macdaddy]

Here is an extention from metcraft

[noodleski]

The Bimini on my Illusion XS has a zipper on the back of it. Can anyone shed some light on what this is for?

I have the extension and love it

it's true that it can't be folded up, but mine is always up....

[Helinut]

They make a Z5 Cargo Rack for the Illusion x tower, we had one on our 247 at the boat show a few years ago. They are really spendy though, get ready to buckle down around $1500-2K for a Z5 Rack.

The extension is not available since Metcraft is long gone, we've been making our own Bimini top's at Bake's for the IX and XS and we've been making them the maximum size possible (i think we've got them 6 or 8 inches larger than Metcraft's was) to still allow them to be collapsed into the storage boot. Bimini tops that had the Metcraft extension, you could not fold away in the boot making it really awkward if you had to take the bimini top off to tow on the freeway or take it off for storage.

Hope that info helped.

PS: One word of advise, remove all the bolts on your metcraft Bimini and put a drop of blue loc-tite on all the threads. We've have numerous people contacting us for parts because over time the bolts and small set screws vibrate loose. Loc-tite is a easy way to save the headache.

Cheers!

-Paul

I would be one of those people! Stupid bolt! Ended up costing me $85! That wasn't through Bake's though. They wanted $95! They could sell me both arms for that price. My local shop sold me one arm for $85. And it doesn't even match the other side. Oh well. Live and learn.

Edited September 16, 2009 by Helinut

[Malibudude]

I also have the biminy extension, great for additional coverage but does make it more difficult to get in and out and reach the rope. I've got it to fold up on top of the tower but you'll need to strap the feet down so they don't scratch the tower. I just lay in on the rear seats anymore and only takes a few minutes to put it up on top. I concur on the bolts they will come loose easily so loc-tite is a good way to prevent needing a replacement.

The other issue I have is the rope does catch the side zipper which is very annoying; so far options I've tried haven't been fool proof.

[Chia]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

[con247]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

[Ndawg12]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

oh wow, I'm getting out of the way of this one!!

[Molarbu]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

1. Skin cancer completely ruins the look of the skin.

2. Uncomfortable wife and kids completely ruin the atmosphere of a great day out.

3. UV completely ruins whatever it is exposed to.

4. My widows peaks are higher than they used to be and I keep forgetting to sunscreen them.

5. Driver's seat stays cooler.

6. We like the shade.

7. It's really hard to completely ruin the look of a Malibu.

8. Keeps the rope off the passengers in back and out of the racks as much.

9. It creates lift when towing at freeway speeds which places less weight on the trailer resulting in better gas mileage.

10. Crap, I can't come up with number ten, can someone help me out?

[Ndawg12]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

1. Skin cancer completely ruins the look of the skin.

2. Uncomfortable wife and kids completely ruin the atmosphere of a great day out.

3. UV completely ruins whatever it is exposed to.

4. My widows peaks are higher than they used to be and I keep forgetting to sunscreen them.

5. Driver's seat stays cooler.

6. We like the shade.

7. It's really hard to completely ruin the look of a Malibu.

8. Keeps the rope off the passengers in back and out of the racks as much.

9. It creates lift when towing at freeway speeds which places less weight on the trailer resulting in better gas mileage.

10. Crap, I can't come up with number ten, can someone help me out?

Ok, I guess I'll play.

11. Good place to throw damp (not wet) gear while not under way to dry out.

[con247]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

1. Skin cancer completely ruins the look of the skin.

2. Uncomfortable wife and kids completely ruin the atmosphere of a great day out.

3. UV completely ruins whatever it is exposed to.

4. My widows peaks are higher than they used to be and I keep forgetting to sunscreen them.

5. Driver's seat stays cooler.

6. We like the shade.

7. It's really hard to completely ruin the look of a Malibu.

8. Keeps the rope off the passengers in back and out of the racks as much.

9. It creates lift when towing at freeway speeds which places less weight on the trailer resulting in better gas mileage.

10. Crap, I can't come up with number ten, can someone help me out?

Ok, I guess I'll play.

11. Good place to throw damp (not wet) gear while not under way to dry out.

#1,#2, #9, and #11 are understandable. I guess I just am in a different situation that makes it seem much more impractical to me. I am on a small inland lake with a house on it and am typically not out for more than an hour at a time on the boat without pulling it onto the lift for awhile.

Edited September 16, 2009 by con247

[Molarbu]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

1. Skin cancer completely ruins the look of the skin.

2. Uncomfortable wife and kids completely ruin the atmosphere of a great day out.

3. UV completely ruins whatever it is exposed to.

4. My widows peaks are higher than they used to be and I keep forgetting to sunscreen them.

5. Driver's seat stays cooler.

6. We like the shade.

7. It's really hard to completely ruin the look of a Malibu.

8. Keeps the rope off the passengers in back and out of the racks as much.

9. It creates lift when towing at freeway speeds which places less weight on the trailer resulting in better gas mileage.

10. Crap, I can't come up with number ten, can someone help me out?

Ok, I guess I'll play.

11. Good place to throw damp (not wet) gear while not under way to dry out.

#1,#2, #9, and #11 are understandable. I guess I just am in a different situation that makes it seem much more impractical to me. I am on a small inland lake with a house on it and am typically not out for more than an hour at a time on the boat without pulling it onto the lift for awhile.

Hey! You shouldn't validate #9, that was a joke! It was actually in reference to a thread recently about towing with the bimini up. I envy your situation!

[con247]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

1. Skin cancer completely ruins the look of the skin.

2. Uncomfortable wife and kids completely ruin the atmosphere of a great day out.

3. UV completely ruins whatever it is exposed to.

4. My widows peaks are higher than they used to be and I keep forgetting to sunscreen them.

5. Driver's seat stays cooler.

6. We like the shade.

7. It's really hard to completely ruin the look of a Malibu.

8. Keeps the rope off the passengers in back and out of the racks as much.

9. It creates lift when towing at freeway speeds which places less weight on the trailer resulting in better gas mileage.

10. Crap, I can't come up with number ten, can someone help me out?

Ok, I guess I'll play.

11. Good place to throw damp (not wet) gear while not under way to dry out.

#1,#2, #9, and #11 are understandable. I guess I just am in a different situation that makes it seem much more impractical to me. I am on a small inland lake with a house on it and am typically not out for more than an hour at a time on the boat without pulling it onto the lift for awhile.

Hey! You shouldn't validate #9, that was a joke! It was actually in reference to a thread recently about towing with the bimini up. I envy your situation!

I know it was a joke... I was joking too. If anything, it would kill fuel economy.

[Ronnie]

I've got another #10...You're in Michigan, I'm in Texas. You have snow. We have sun.

[Malibudude]

Even without the extension, we have managed to wear thru the bimini where the surf rope rubs it (it is now worn right thru to the aluminum frame).

Why do you guys like Biminis so much? They completely ruin the look of the boat.

1. Skin cancer completely ruins the look of the skin.

2. Uncomfortable wife and kids completely ruin the atmosphere of a great day out.

3. UV completely ruins whatever it is exposed to.

4. My widows peaks are higher than they used to be and I keep forgetting to sunscreen them.

5. Driver's seat stays cooler.

6. We like the shade.

7. It's really hard to completely ruin the look of a Malibu.

8. Keeps the rope off the passengers in back and out of the racks as much.

9. It creates lift when towing at freeway speeds which places less weight on the trailer resulting in better gas mileage.

10. Crap, I can't come up with number ten, can someone help me out?

Ok, I guess I'll play.

11. Good place to throw damp (not wet) gear while not under way to dry out.

#1,#2, #9, and #11 are understandable. I guess I just am in a different situation that makes it seem much more impractical to me. I am on a small inland lake with a house on it and am typically not out for more than an hour at a time on the boat without pulling it onto the lift for awhile.

I can think of one good one when it's oh 115° out. During fall and summer we don't bother with it.

[Chappy]

The Bimini on my Illusion XS has a zipper on the back of it. Can anyone shed some light on what this is for?

it's true that it can't be folded up, but mine is always up....

I used to think this as well but the bimini can actually be stored on the tower pretty easily with the extension on. You just have to shorten/release the support arms so the bimini lays on top of the tower when bundled up.