Arch

[BobRae99]

The sun coverage isn’t as broad on the fixed arch, but considering that the actual size of the Bimini in square inches really doesn’t matter..at least on my boat. Why? Is the sun ever directly over the boat? Somehow, the sun is always in the wrong spot when we stop, and my large Bimini provides excellent coverage for the fish in the water, and not me..

I see your point, but I seem to get a fair bit of shade until about 4:00PM when the sun stars heading towards the horizzon and hits me from the side. Still between 11:00 am and 3:00pm when the sun is at its strongest, the shade on the folding arch provides much welcomed relief from the overhead sun. I measured at least 10" of additional coverage compared to the folding bimini.

[Tuscany]

Grab an umbrella mount from Slide! Between the two, it really covers up the whole back half of the boat. But honestly, we’ve never used it.
Up here in the frozen north, we hardly open the Bimini, other than those few hot days in July. Those beautiful sunny days? I want to soak it all up..

[Big Block Power]

This can be folded?

IMO the most attractive arch. That particular arch option transforms the look of the boat. Just looks and flows perfect and I would have bought it in a heart beat if that design folded.
Unfortunately it doesn't, you will be looking at a 14' garage door height to clear it, along with potential low bridge situations while towing.

I agree it’s gorgeous! Is it a big deal that it doesn’t fold? I will be storing it on my property in the winter and in the slip in the summer. What type of low situations are there ?

Really a non folding arch. Oh my. Is it on a 360. Just cut her off and put it back on in the spring time.
That's odd why would they make it like that.

[Thompmichjael]

Does anyone know how a fixed Bimini arch on a R5 Surf could be lowered once a year for storage purposes - really don’t want to but a new garage door to accommodate it ?

[AsLan7]

Does anyone know how a fixed Bimini arch on a R5 Surf could be lowered once a year for storage purposes - really don’t want to but a new garage door to accommodate it ?

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Hey TMJ. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

That’s a tough proposition other than the saber saw option.

Any pics of this R5? How is she powered? Feel free to start an intro thread only if you have the time.

Again welcome aboard mate!


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[Thompmichjael]

Thanks for the welcome - tons of useful info on the forum. We already have a Cobalt 232 but are just about to pull the trigger on a 2021 R5 Surf have tried one in comparison to a Nautique G23. Was very impressed with the Cobalts wave and surprised how quiet the engine noise was compared to the G23 (which was a nice boat but left me a little underwhelmed particularly for the price).

Only problem is that the wife loves the fixed tower design (and I agree fully with her) put will need to replace the shed door which will be an expensive proposition hence the query on whether theres a way to dismantle it once a year. But it seems unfortunately that the answers no

Many thanks

Michael

[Elkhunter2372]

Thanks for the welcome - tons of useful info on the forum. We already have a Cobalt 232 but are just about to pull the trigger on a 2021 R5 Surf have tried one in comparison to a Nautique G23. Was very impressed with the Cobalts wave and surprised how quiet the engine noise was compared to the G23 (which was a nice boat but left me a little underwhelmed particularly for the price).

Only problem is that the wife loves the fixed tower design (and I agree fully with her) put will need to replace the shed door which will be an expensive proposition hence the query on whether theres a way to dismantle it once a year. But it seems unfortunately that the answers no

Many thanks

Michael

They offer the folding arch as an option with rotating sun screen as well...doesn’t have to be a fixed arch. My arch on my R3 folds down in about 30 seconds if the bimini is stored. I can have the bimini out and deployed in less than 10 minutes and I’ve only done it a handful of times since I just got the boat the end of September. Can stow it in less than 15 minutes.