I would not trust any sort of cloth-and-frame structure for high winds.  Companies that make dodgers and biminis tend not to rate them them for 50 knot winds or getting hit by waves.

  But the lifting solid bimini, with a roll-away center section like that conversion van, would be a different story.  You could even make the center section out of something solid, like the boat's center walkway, and end up with something quite strong.  It wouldn't be the same as a convertible, but it would be a lot saver in a storm.

        - Mike

 

yes - but that is heavy... was more thinking of this - but not essentially different than rigging a bimini.

Question is how it will all work in a blow.

Fedor