bimini for a 1984 25.5 hunter

Ed Schenck · Jan 10, 2010

Since you are not registered on SBO we cannot tell where you sail, water and weather conditions for example. Still I would ask why would you want to be enclosed while sailing? At any rate you can see here at the SBO store that a pre-measured bimini for your boat is about $450. An excellent price for a good bimini although it is an aluminum frame. My own is aluminum and is nine years old and stiil looks new. The store does not sell dodgers. Island Nautical might have the pattern for the H25.5 but you will do better price wise with a local canvas shop.

JoeWhite · Jan 10, 2010

I own a Hunter 25.5 1984. I would not add a dodger or bimini. It will heel more and be uncomfortable to sail. The boom is too low for either of them anyway.

SuitsMeII · Jan 15, 2010

SAILORKOOP said:
I'm going to be sailing on Lake Charlevoix in Michigan and Lake Michigan. There are many cool days and i'vee seen a few hunter 25's with Bimini's. The poeple i've talked to love them for that reason. Joe, you are wrong on the boom issue. If you look on this website they sell them for Hunters....also there are pictures on this site of the entire cockpit enclosed. Do you really think the boat would sail differently with a bimini? Most sailboats i see have Bimini's...so they all heel with them????

thanks!

sailorkoop!

I would not recommend a bimini on cool days. Down south here we use those to hide from the sun. On cool days we welcome the sun. Sailing for me is all about being out in the weather. Perhaps you should look at foul weather gear.

mavriikk · Jan 26, 2010

I would like to jump in on this post. I am also contemplating a Bimini. here are my thoughts... The boom is low and would prevent a full cockpit Bimini to be erected underway. Also i am not a huge fan of where the back stay would ride within the Bimini. The store bought Bimini for this vessel appears to come up short of the boom which makes it sail-able, however you are not able to stand up under it. (bummer) I have been wrestling this one around in my head and i think i have come to the conclusion that when i want the Bimini is when i am sitting and parting on the mooring and not while under way. So i think for my preference (which is all this is post is) i will be fabricating a canvas tent to connect to the lifelines and a halyard to cover my cockpit.

As for the dodger, it doesn't suit me much either. I much rather make use of the pop top than have a dodger.

I agree that Bimini's are nice and look nice on boats but i don't think that this boat is really designed well for one. So i will be investing in some canvas and foulies but no bimini or dodger.

Sanman · Jan 27, 2010

JoeWhite said:
I own a Hunter 25.5 1984. I would not add a dodger or bimini. It will heel more and be uncomfortable to sail. The boom is too low for either of them anyway.

Dude, Get a Bimini. It won't make the boat the boat heel more... that's just ridiculous.

It will let you enjoy the boat without cooking in the summer sun. That is why people put them on their boats, you can also get the bimini any height you want it.

As far as the backstay, I had one on my Compac 19 and the bimini had a pair of holes on it for the backstays... Kind of a problem but once it was on it was on. My Catalina 22 had a backstay, but the bimini was positioned so that it came right up to the backstay, so it didn't need the holes.
You probably dont need a dodger... they look cool, but they do restrict forward visibility and air flow to the cockpit, they are nice to have when you are pounding into heavy seas, as they block spray and rain from hitting you in the cockpit, but not really necessary...if I'm sailing in bad weather, my foulies are just fine, and you would, IMO, get more use out of the pop top without the hassle of having the dodger in the way. Its a good investment you won't regret, because it will make your boat more enjoyable to use.

sailorkoop · Jan 27, 2010

Thanks a lot for the info....I agree regarding the dodger but i don't understand when you say i can have the bimini any height i want. The boom will be in the way..correct?..this is a hunter 25.5 and what i'm gathering is the boom is an issue on smaller boats. Somehow i'm going to get one and would really like to be able to stand up in it.......remember i'm new to all this and perhaps this is a dumb question but could i get a bimini that i could stand up in and just use it when in the slip or moored??....or would the boom still be a problem?
Thanks for all your comments........i've read hundreds of posts on this site and it's really a great way to learn!

Sailorkoop!

cephius (Dave) · Jan 27, 2010

sailorkoop,
On boats with low booms that extend well into the cockpit you have two choices;
1. Fit it under the boom and remain seated, and shaded, while sailing.
2. Fit it over the boom, any height, and only use it with the main down.

Sanman · Jan 27, 2010

OK, Look at it this way, As long as you can have, say, an inch or two between the bottom of the boom, and the top of the bimini, then you can sail with the bimini up. On my boat for instance, a Hunter 26, there is about 3 inches of clearance between the bimini and the boom... This gives me just slighty less than standing head room, but my wife who is shorter can stand... the "headroom" we do have, is more than enough and is comfortable whether sailing or at anchor.
What I meant by saying you can have a bimini any height you want, is that you can have the bimini uprights (bows) cut to fit the bimini under the boom, regardless of how high, or low, your particular boom is, and that will give you shade, under sail and at anchor.
Now then, if all you are looking to do is have shade at anchor or in a slip, then a boom tent is really all you need, it can be as simple as a tarp over the boom, bungied to the lifelines. I wouldn't get a bimini made that is taller than the boom, just for shade at anchor. That would be a waste.

I guess my main point was to point out (since you are apparently a novice sailor) that a Bimini IS NOT going to make your boat HEEL or change the the boats handling in some mysterious, undesired manner... and that a well made and properly fitted Bimini is a nice addition to the comfort of any boat.
Does that make sense?

cephius (Dave) · Jan 27, 2010

I agree with Sanford. I won't have a boat without a Bimini again. It is one of the reasons I went from a 22' to a 26' boat.

I would like to add that sailing under a Bimini does restrict your view of the mast head. I like all the visual clues provided by a boat under sail and miss looking up. I miss it while remaining cool though.

Sanman · Jan 27, 2010

cephius (Dave) said:
I would like to add that sailing under a Bimini does restrict your view of the mast head. I like all the visual clues provided by a boat under sail and miss looking up. I miss it while remaining cool though.

Dave makes a good point...This is true with a stock Bimini, but you can always add a window made of eisenglass in the bimini... which I will probably do on my next bimini. What I did was to add small wind indicators to the out board shrouds, port and starbord, so that I can "see" the wind angle from under the bimini. Since I'm a cruiser and sail by "feel" rather than constantly fiddling with sail trim this is not a problem, and like Dave said... I can contemplate this choice while sitting in the shade!

sailorkoop · Jan 28, 2010

Thank you all for your excellent comments! I know have what i think is a solid direction come spring!....I'm getting a Bimini ...no Dodger!

Wish you all the best!

Thanks again and happy sailing

Sailorkoop!

mavriikk · Jan 29, 2010

I am hoping all goes well with your bimini ideas. I am still not certain it is the best idea for this boat. I would like to point out that the only two posters with the 25.5 said nay it will not fit comfortably. Just saying... I do know for a Fact that all boats differ by model and the boom heights and stays vary drastically. I have owned my 25.5 for 3 years now and have seen every image on the web of the boat. I challenge some one to show me someone standing up in a hunter 25.5 under a Bimini while underway. With that said I have seen images of the 25.5 with a full bimini and cockpit enclosure, however you will notice that in every image the boom is lashed out of the way and the boat is either on the hook of mooring.

I just don't like when posters try to sway someones opinion into spending hundreds of dollars when they have never seen or been on a particular model boat. so do the measuring and make your own decision and sail on!

David in Sandusky · Jan 29, 2010

Another alternative

Though not the same boat, our '77 h27 had the same problems. A bimini under the boom would not allow either of us to stand up straight in the cockpit. It would block sight of the mainsail - a key for good tuning/sailing. Most designs I have seen also make it harder to go forward, whether to tend the sails, or often to relax on the cabin roof, or the bow while under way.

This link shows our complete solution all of which was made by the canvas shop on this site:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...7&cat_id=16&aid=7416&page=article&mn=27_75-84

First, we bought a bimini that covers the back of the cockpit. On our boat, it mounts on the stern pulpit, but deck mounting would have worked. This provides shade in the back of the cockpit on all courses heading away from the sun. Sailing into the sun, the sails usually provide shade. When in port or at anchor, we had a tarp we would rig over the boom with shock cords to keep the whole cockpit in shade, and the cabin roof cool.

Second, I designed a tarp custom fitted to our boat. The canvas shop here made it at a good price, and modified the bimini so that the tarp zips onto the forward edge of the bimini with slots to port and starboard to let the topping lift through. This gives us great shade when not under way, and can be rigged in under 5 minutes. It also provides good protection in the cockpit when it is raining.

longshot · Jun 27, 2010

I just bought a Hunter 25.5...1986. Sailing in Central Texas the heat is brutal. I have a blonde daughter who is very fair skinned and wanted to protect her from the sun. A local sail maker is familiar with this boat and told me that the boom is too low for a bimini unless you cut the foot or the head of the main and lift the boom...which I am doing. It will be a custom job that will cost twice as much but will be worth it.