G23 Bimini

[vision]

Outer distance, fore to aft, across the tower bars at the top is 11 5/8". Remember, the "shelf in the middle under the rope connect sticks forward approximately another 4 inches (sorry, I forgot to measure this distance).

[gate9869]

Ok thanks wets sounds said I need 67" width and 12" for hang height so I don't think they will fit I'll prob just go with single rev8s thanks for the info !!

[uncalumx2]

I do, and its smaller and lighter than the z5 on my 230,I used to take the z5 off on the 230 by myself but if someone was down on the dock would ask for help. on the g23 its not as wide or long and have taken off about 4 times now, just playing around with it, I would not think twice removing it myself even if some one was with me, no speakers to work around. on the 230 it it seem the brackets that held the z5 were tight and some times had to use a rubber hammer to to get out, on the g23 pull the the 4 pins lift and carry away.

Correct me if I am wrong, but are you saying that you CAN fold down the tower with the z5 mounts still attached? (after pulling the pins and removing the z5)

I was down this weekend talking with David at White Lake and would love to have the z5 on our G23, but have a 10 ft tall door to our building so I will need to bring the tower down and up to get the boat in the building. Interior height is over 15 ft, but I will need to raise/lower the tower when we go in and out of the building. Should have gotten a taller door. We measured the height of the windshield at around 8ft, but the top of the tower is near 11 ft when up.

[vision]

Yes, you can fold the tower down without taking off the Z5 mounts. But, it does not go down all the way as the Z5 mounts hit the driver's arm rest. I have not measured how much above the windshield the tower is when folded down with the Z5 brackets on. I am going to guess around 15" above the windshield.

[GCSuper]

On our 210 w/Z5 we have to partially collapse the tower to lift the boat in the dock. We didn't need to go all the way down, so I made some wedges from a 2 X 6 and covered them with carpet so all we have to do is remove the back two holders for the Z5, put the wedges in and drop the tower. Saves a lot of time for us.

[uncalumx2]

Yes, you can fold the tower down without taking off the Z5 mounts. But, it does not go down all the way as the Z5 mounts hit the driver's arm rest. I have not measured how much above the windshield the tower is when folded down with the Z5 brackets on. I am going to guess around 15" above the windshield.

Thanks vision,

Do you mind measuring them?

if it is 15 inches, that would leave me 5 inches or so of clearance.

Thanks

[vision]

Will do. Should be able to measure Friday.

[vision]

The tower is actually about 22 inches above the windshield when lowered and the Z5 adapter brackets are in place. Here are some lousy images, but they may help. Too bad they do not make the adapter bracket as a two piece part with a pin that would allow quick separation.

[uncalumx2]

Thanks, 2 good images there for comparison to the stock tower.

[rutwad]

To the OP, I've seen the bimini on the new 230 tower. It goes over the tower. The braces are inside so the tower will fold down without hitting any interior. And yes, there is definitely more head room with the bimini vs. the Z5.

[rutwad]

Looks nice and big !! Any idea how it is stored ? Doesn't look like it folds up to the tower and looks like a lot would be involved with it. Thanks for the pics !!

The outer arm mounted to the front side of the tower disconnects. Then the outer piece folds over the center. This is done on both sides then the rear portion is folded foward over them and covered with a sock. So when folded, the bimini remains as long over the front, but only covers about 1/3 or more of the width. When removed, the bimini is still approx. 8' long and 2' wide.

[BrettG]

RE: the pics of the orange tower with the z5 mounts-
Seems like those arms mounted to the tower could be designed to either quick connect or some sort of folding design. If I were on the market I would get the z5 and I would fabricate a better design.

[NautiUT]

Check out this new bimini for the G23/G25. It was also at the Utah Boat Show.

http://www.sewlong.com/the-new-prototype/

[TX-Foilhead]

Nope. Like the colors, but having the sides come down makes is act like a lower bimini with the room of the over the tower. I'm not crazy about the way the factory bimini looks, but I've been playing with the shape for a few years and it works. The way it folds and unfolds more than makes up for questionable looks.

[NautiqueJeff]

Coming from a Z5 last year and the year before, the factory bimini didn't immediately appeal to me from a looks standpoint either. It has really grown on me though, and I really like the look now. And the functionality can't be beat!