Design of Bennington - Tumacs Boat Cover

[Fairway]

The front Bimini frame "bracket" is covered by the cover so the bimini has to be retracted to install the cover. All it would have taken was another velcro/drawstring point at that front braket. The bracket also protrudes creating a stress point to the fabric when the cover and support poles are installed (waiting for it to tear).
Not to harp on my previous 2012 Premier but that boats cover could be installed with the Bimini up or retracted. It also had a zippered flap at the helm so that one could access the helm and literaly drive the boat with the cover on (handy when just heading to the ramp etc.)

Is there a reason why Bennington's boat cover design does not allow the cover to be put on with the Bimini up?
Do any of the other Bennington covers have a flap to access the helm with the cover on? (not referring to the zipper at the port side door).

 

[Remediation]

I would never cover the boat with the Bimini cover open. On our yearly Canada trip, we lost a Bimini cover and frame due to straight line winds that happened at 6:30 pm because we had not stowed the Bimini. We had purchased a replacement cover from Tumacs that did not have an opening for the forward frame attachments and never had a problem with the material at the attachments or with the original cover. The cover finally wore out and when we had the seats redone they built a new mooring cover that had openings for the forward frame. All it does is allow water to leak into the boat.

 

[Fairway]

I would never cover the boat with the Bimini cover open. On our yearly Canada trip, we lost a Bimini cover and frame due to straight line winds that happened at 6:30 pm because we had not stowed the Bimini. We had purchased a replacement cover from Tumacs that did not have an opening for the forward frame attachments and never had a problem with the material at the attachments or with the original cover. The cover finally wore out and when we had the seats redone they built a new mooring cover that had openings for the forward frame. All it does is allow water to leak into the boat.

Good gosh! What year boat was this? Im glad your cover didnt get a hole at the front bracket. On mine the bracket is a vee/pointy but it sounds like it will wear out anyway. I guess it doesn't matter since its not designed that way (and I wouldn't want to take it 2 hrs away to have it modified and assuming that would void any warranty (assuming the cover has one)).. Just wondering why some boat manufacturers do and some don't. I really miss the helm flap though - it was a nice feature!

 

[Vikingstaff]

The reason is almost certainly what Remediation explained above. Kind of a “keep owners from doing foolish things” that can inadvertently lead to major damage (bimini fabric or frame being torn out) by high winds with the boat stowed away. I am sure different manufacturers simply view that risk differently and then manufacture around that.

Also, things change over time as we learn more or know to do better. So does your former boat manufacturer STILL make their covers that way? They may or may not these days.

 

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

The front Bimini frame "bracket" is covered by the cover so the bimini has to be retracted to install the cover. All it would have taken was another velcro/drawstring point at that front braket. The bracket also protrudes creating a stress point to the fabric when the cover and support poles are installed (waiting for it to tear).
Not to harp on my previous 2012 Premier but that boats cover could be installed with the Bimini up or retracted. It also had a zippered flap at the helm so that one could access the helm and literaly drive the boat with the cover on (handy when just heading to the ramp etc.)

Is there a reason why Bennington's boat cover design does not allow the cover to be put on with the Bimini up?
Do any of the other Bennington covers have a flap to access the helm with the cover on? (not referring to the zipper at the port side door).

While the wind argument made above is solid, I think that pertains to (VERY?) limited situations where the winds get really nasty - like shore mooring on big lakes. Many people dock overnight or over the weekend and leave the Bimini up, yet would like to also cover the boat to protect from birds and/or security, and do not have crazy wind issues. In Havasu, by leaving the Bimini up on top of the mooring cover, it drops the temperature under the mooring cover by 15 degrees - AT LEAST - almost every boat in the marina does this. Now our marina is in a canyon and protected from high winds. I have noticed other TriToon brands do have mooring covers with the right cut-outs, of course was that factory or after market (a lot of big 400 & dual engine Benny - so $$$ don't appear to be an issue). I find my mooring cover simply goes around this extra arm, and I don't have any issues with excess water getting in (and we get some really heavy monsoon rains). But, I would get this added on a replacement, along with some type of extension to cover the front and rear decks. Another great example of how use and location dictate the details of daily use.

 

[CLDave]

A good canvas shop can make those cut-outs for you and it'll probably be pretty cheap. I added a port door zipper and fixed my last Benny's ripped cover (family tried, aggressively, to cover the boat AND the bimini with the mooring cover - sigh). I think the entire bill was under $100.

 

[Fairway]

While the wind argument made above is solid, I think that pertains to (VERY?) limited situations where the winds get really nasty - like shore mooring on big lakes. Many people dock overnight or over the weekend and leave the Bimini up, yet would like to also cover the boat to protect from birds and/or security, and do not have crazy wind issues. In Havasu, by leaving the Bimini up on top of the mooring cover, it drops the temperature under the mooring cover by 15 degrees - AT LEAST - almost every boat in the marina does this. Now our marina is in a canyon and protected from high winds. I have noticed other TriToon brands do have mooring covers with the right cut-outs, of course was that factory or after market (a lot of big 400 & dual engine Benny - so $$$ don't appear to be an issue). I find my mooring cover simply goes around this extra arm, and I don't have any issues with excess water getting in (and we get some really heavy monsoon rains). But, I would get this added on a replacement, along with some type of extension to cover the front and rear decks. Another great example of how use and location dictate the details of daily use.

This is what im talking about. Im very aware of summer storms etc. and always button up boat/dock when imminent. I tend to hang out on the boat weekends so Thursday - Sunday I pull the cover and raise the bimini. Monday through Thursday I'd set like in your reference photo if i could as it eliminates stowing bimini. It may not sound like much but it eliminates standing on the seat/sundeck and zipping the cover on. 9 times out of 10 im doing this and covering alone. To me leaving it up with cover on along with the helm zipper/flap was an OEM nicety on my other boat and was curious as why some do and some dont. Obviously there is a responsibilty/liabilty leaving bimini up but gosh if i can haul a boat, drive a boat and maintain a boat im sure i can add when or when not to leave a bimini up!

I orerd a "non-staining" polyester tarp to see if I can leave the bimini up and cover the front loungers to block the sun and maybe not have to take the cover of and on unless heavy stormage is predicted.

 

[Fairway]

A good canvas shop can make those cut-outs for you and it'll probably be pretty cheap. I added a port door zipper and fixed my last Benny's ripped cover (family tried, aggressively, to cover the boat AND the bimini with the mooring cover - sigh). I think the entire bill was under $100.

There is a canvas shop about 2 hrs away. I don't know what warranty might be on the cover. I'd assume if it is altered Bennington would void any warranty (again not knowing if there is one on the cover).

 

[Jack M]

I was told by my local canvas shop ( also my Bennington dealer) if altered it would void the cover warranty.

 

[Fairway]

I was told by my local canvas shop ( also my Bennington dealer) if altered it would void the cover warranty.

Thanks for checking Jack. I guess i'll have to continue pestering the boss lady about putting a roof on the dock. It has the sockets pre-installed but good lord they want 36K for a roof and hydrohoist!

 

[CLDave]

There is a canvas shop about 2 hrs away. I don't know what warranty might be on the cover. I'd assume if it is altered Bennington would void any warranty (again not knowing if there is one on the cover).

Fair point, but if you have a good relationship with a canvas shop it's way less work/expense than shipping the cover and/or replacing. For what it's worth, my Benny dealer altered my cover when I installed the swingback rails at no charge. They put in a zipper on the port door as well. I'm assuming since the dealer made the modifications (through a local canvas shop) I'm covered by the warranty.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing!

 

[Jack M]

When my 2022 was delivered, I was going to have my dealer extend the cover to cover the bow , since I was told it would void the warranty I didn't extend the cover. However after 2 seasons and the start of #3 you can see the fade in the flooring .

 

[Fairway]

When my 2022 was delivered, I was going to have my dealer extend the cover to cover the bow , since I was told it would void the warranty I didn't extend the cover. However after 2 seasons and the start of #3 you can see the fade in the flooring .

My forward deck is fading too. I ordered a 10X12 light canvas. We'll see how that works!

 

[Jack M]

Flooring is covered under the warranty.

 

[Vikingstaff]

However after 2 seasons and the start of #3 you can see the fade in the flooring .

My aft deck “corners” are uncovered with the mooring cover on the boat. You can tell they are a slightly different color these days. Thankfully nothing major, but noticeable. I want to say I started noticing it about year 6 or so.

 

[lakeliving]

I could swear Bennington posted a reason here on the forum for why they don’t do the cutouts.

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

I thought my seagrass floor was fading after 6 years. Gentle power wash and it looks normal. There was a lot of dirt in the fibers which made it look a different color.

 

[Vikingstaff]

Think this may be a big part of my two aft corner areas. I need to get a nice little power washer and give that a try sometime.

 

[BigKahuna]

When we kept our boat on the lift for 2 seasons we kept our double bimini deployed/open and covered the boat. Never had a problem. My current boat and our old Bennington had the cutouts for the struts. Talk to your Bennington dealer. Maybe you can have "approved" cut outs installed that could still be covered under warranty ...