08 192 Captiva, Monster Tower Install, Bimini won't Fit

[mshafe01]

18.6 hours on my 08 Captiva - lovin' every minute of it....also love my Monstertower - looks awesome and works wonderfully - problem is, my stock bimini which I also love, now won't open all the way...appears if I trim the two front poles by 6" or so, it should work just fine....has anyone else had this issue and found a solution? West Marine sells the stainless end caps, so the plan was to use a pipecutter to ensure a smooth edge, then with a hex wrench tighten on the new ends....

Also noticed considerable porposing going down the main channel - had to drive at 25 to 30 mph most of the way to keep the kids from being thrown out of the boat - is this due to the low weight of this boat?  I was going to take off my 19 pitch high five and put the stock 21 aluminum back on it to see if that helped.....also saw the various sterndrive hydrofoil things - do those eliminate porposing like many claim?

[DaleM]

Porpoising can usually be overcome by trimming the motor down thusly putting more bow into the water.  A prop change will change the way the boat performs through all the trim ranges.  You are going to have to play with it until you get the right feel for the boat's attitude with different trim setting and the different props.  Things will also change as the load in the boat changes.  Didn't see if you had a bowrider but when people move from front to back and vice versa the trim will have to be changed to allow for the load change.  Trim is just always something that you will be playing with.  In time you will get in figured out.

[mvn]

Had major porpoising issues with our '05 192 as well.  I'm having great success with SmartTabs.  They eliminate porpoising, reduce planing speed and improve lateral stability....and all without fiddling!  The only problem is the wake is all but eliminated.  In your case (that is if you want a wake) you may want to go the manually actuated style like the Bennett's.  Youu could then trim as needed depending on your wake requirements.

Mark

[morrisdl]

Thats great to know about the smart tabs and the effect on the wake.  That is one my short list of things to do (right after find more time to enjoy the boat)  thanks!!

[bhoff]

Hey Morris,

I see on the bottom of your post that you have dual batteries in your 192.  I've been thinking about doing that and I can't find a good place to put the second battery.  Where did you put yours and how is it working out for you?

[morrisdl]

Hey Morris,
I see on the bottom of your post that you have dual batteries in your 192.  I've been thinking about doing that and I can't find a good place to put the second battery.  Where did you put yours and how is it working out for you?

Sorry, I dont have a 192.  I have updated my signature to be more clear. On the Rinker 232 there is plenty of space right next to the existing battery. I also posted and linked to some pictures of my Optoma blue top install.  I have since replaced the original battery and put them both in boxes, but I dont have any pics of that. Ultimately I would like to mount them both up front somewhere for better weight distribution, but it will probably be easier to do trim tabs and a water ballast system instead.

This is a must if you plan to hang out on the boat and listen to music for any length of time. I also found that I could get an extra season out of a weak battery, since I had the backup.   Its also nice to be able to know that nothing is left on (except the auto-bilge) and its always ready to go.  

On my last boat, also a 19' BR, I just carried one of these portable 12v jumper system:



It turned out to be helpful in the car in the winter as well.

[mshafe01]

Bimini fits now - just needed a Ridgid pipe cutter from Home Depot and some all stainless Taylor external eye ends from West Marine.  Took less than 5 minutes to fix.  Works perfectly now....dealer wanted to sell me a $1000 aftermarket bimini.....