Is there someone out there who has created a hard bimini for their sailboat. What sheet material did you use? Starboard (even 1/4") would seem to be too heavy. Bob
Hard Bimini
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Look at our Sea Trek blog for photos of the starboard hardtop we built for our sailboat. The mounting frame is the key to success. You might also look at our Hard-To-Top bimini on our trawler, http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-fabric-bimini-to-hardtop-in-one-day.html . Chuck
I have been toying with the idea of a hard top for our boat, as well.
After an internet search for something which is already produced for another (hopefully non-marine $$$) use, I came across the hard tonneau covers for pick ups. For us the long bed full size tonneau would be almost perfect length wise and with a 2' section in the middle of clear plexi to see the rig, be perfect width wise. Mounting should be a breeze as they are rigid and only four legs should be needed with a dodger on the front. And what a great place for solar panels!
They come well finished in a multitude of colors and perhaps a small pick up tonneau would work on your OI 33?
After an internet search for something which is already produced for another (hopefully non-marine $$$) use, I came across the hard tonneau covers for pick ups. For us the long bed full size tonneau would be almost perfect length wise and with a 2' section in the middle of clear plexi to see the rig, be perfect width wise. Mounting should be a breeze as they are rigid and only four legs should be needed with a dodger on the front. And what a great place for solar panels!
They come well finished in a multitude of colors and perhaps a small pick up tonneau would work on your OI 33?
Been thinking of the thin sheets of Luan plywood used for interior hollow-core doors. Around 1/4" thick. I would like to bend this over the existing bimini frame. I would cover with a layer of fiberglass mat and epoxy, then paint with a 2 part paint. Not designed to be stood on.
http://hardtotop.com/index.html
I contacted these guys sometime ago and their prices were very competitive to a fabric bimini. They do make them for sailboats.
I contacted these guys sometime ago and their prices were very competitive to a fabric bimini. They do make them for sailboats.
I think that hard biminis and dodgers are good ideas. I rarely sail without the bimini and dodger up. In the summer it is shade, in the winter it is shelter. You could have a fabric connector.
One that would be okay for installing solar panels would be even better. Even cooler would be a rigid bimini that is one big solar panel!
One that would be okay for installing solar panels would be even better. Even cooler would be a rigid bimini that is one big solar panel!
Unidirectional Plywood may do the trick. This stuff can be curved.
www.poplitewood.com/Publications/PopLite%20Products.pdf
Once you get it as you want it, you can epoxy it and paint it. I saw a fellow that made a dodger (top) out of this type of a product.
www.poplitewood.com/Publications/PopLite%20Products.pdf
Once you get it as you want it, you can epoxy it and paint it. I saw a fellow that made a dodger (top) out of this type of a product.
hard bimini and dodger
What I have is pretty robust, we ( me, dog, boat) were on the mooring for the Derecho storm last spring ( 80 mph wind) with no problem. The top is rigid; wind goes over or under, does not "catch" the smooth surface. It stayed up all winter and is performing great this year too.
Since it is white it reflects heat, a big unexpected bonus. I now have two 50 watt solar panels on the bimini top with no ill effects.
Total weight of the PVC is probably in the 30-40 pound range, a couple pounds for hardware and a few more for the solar panel. All told probably the same or less than a water soaked canvas top.
A local fabricator who does a lot of motor yachts suggested the Komocel, I found it at www.harborsales.net. Delivered it was about 80 dollars a sheet, because of the cuts involved I used 3 and had a lot of material to pass on to friends for small projects.
This isn't structural stuff like starboard, the surfaces are hard and shiny, in between is softer. For cutting I used a router on a slow speed, for assembly I used fender washers to protect from pulling through the sheet. Joined two sheets together with a butt joint overlapped by a two inch piece but have seen it butt jointed with 5200 too.
I replaced my canvas with Komocel - a PVC sheet material available in 4x8 sheets, as I recall it comes 5mm or 10mm thickness. I used the heavier 10mm. My dodger and bimini frame are tubular stainless steel, so I used Harken 1 in straps to attach the top to the frame. I also replaced the canvas straps that attached the canvas top to the deck with stainless tube.
What I have is pretty robust, we ( me, dog, boat) were on the mooring for the Derecho storm last spring ( 80 mph wind) with no problem. The top is rigid; wind goes over or under, does not "catch" the smooth surface. It stayed up all winter and is performing great this year too.
Since it is white it reflects heat, a big unexpected bonus. I now have two 50 watt solar panels on the bimini top with no ill effects.
Total weight of the PVC is probably in the 30-40 pound range, a couple pounds for hardware and a few more for the solar panel. All told probably the same or less than a water soaked canvas top.
A local fabricator who does a lot of motor yachts suggested the Komocel, I found it at www.harborsales.net. Delivered it was about 80 dollars a sheet, because of the cuts involved I used 3 and had a lot of material to pass on to friends for small projects.
This isn't structural stuff like starboard, the surfaces are hard and shiny, in between is softer. For cutting I used a router on a slow speed, for assembly I used fender washers to protect from pulling through the sheet. Joined two sheets together with a butt joint overlapped by a two inch piece but have seen it butt jointed with 5200 too.
I would be interested in looking at pictures of this solution, if you happen to be in a position to take and upload them sometime.
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