Bimini for a Hunter 18.5

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rweiss

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Aug 21, 2009
14
Rhodes 22 Kentucky
Has anyone put a bimini on a Hunter 18.5? Price in the store here is just $300, but I was wondering how it works around the main sheet and how it attaches to the boat.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,532
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Why don'tyou ask them. The bimini is designed to be used while sailing and $300 appears to be a good price. It is a quality product.

crazy dave condon
 
Apr 19, 2012
99
Hunter 18.5 Clark Hill
I'd be interested in seeing pictures of how it looks if you buy one, rweiss.
 

rweiss

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Aug 21, 2009
14
Rhodes 22 Kentucky
I'd be interested in seeing pictures of how it looks if you buy one, rweiss.
I'll post pics if I get one, but so far all I've gotten is the installation instructions which don't describe the hardware used to attach the Bimini to the boat. There is an extra track on each side of the cockpit that the previous owner added for a genoa, but I don't use them. I'm afraid they might be in the way. I'm still trying to get more info.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,532
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Rweiss;

A bimini on an 18.5 will not allow you to stand up. Since it will be low, forget about matching colors and go with an off white or gray as the darker colors produce heat and on a real hot day, you will feel it.

crazy dave condon
 

rweiss

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Aug 21, 2009
14
Rhodes 22 Kentucky
My Bimini is here and mounted

I have my new Bimini.
The good news - it fits the boat and mounts with no problem.
It looks great. I ordered the dark blue before I saw Dave's suggestion for a lighter color, otherwise, I probably would have ordered a lighter color. Sailed it today and it was comfortable, but we had 15 - 25 mph winds, so no heat stayed under the Bimini.
It is fairly easy to remove -- just 2 screws -- so I will probably store it below when not using it for a long time.
There is a cover for it, but I'm not using it right now.

The not so good news -- as you can see, it must be mounted behind the boom, so when you fold it down to the stern, it hangs over the back a lot.
It covers only the two people sitting against the stern.

If you have any questions, let me know. I'm pretty happy with it and look forward to cooler sailing in sunny weather.
 

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Apr 19, 2012
99
Hunter 18.5 Clark Hill
Im impressed. Looks good. It may not give shade for the entire cockpit but at least you have more than you did before.
 

rweiss

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Aug 21, 2009
14
Rhodes 22 Kentucky
Im impressed. Looks good. It may not give shade for the entire cockpit but at least you have more than you did before.
Exactly. Considering the size of the boat and other limitations, I'm just glad this option was available. I also thought $300 was reasonable (at least compared to most things made for boats!) And since I'm the one usually at the tiller, at least I'll be in the shade.
 

rweiss

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Aug 21, 2009
14
Rhodes 22 Kentucky
Exactly. Considering the size of the boat and other limitations, I'm just glad this option was available. I also thought $300 was reasonable (at least compared to most things made for boats!) And since I'm the one usually at the tiller, at least I'll be in the shade.
Just a follow-up after having some time to use the Bimini -- I did find a convenient way to fold it and cover it by leaning it forward against the topping lift. (see attached photo). The clips are not very sturdy and I have already bent one while trying to attach it under pressure. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the Bimini. Worked on the boat in the marina yesterday in very hot weather and found the shade to be much better than going below to get out of the sun. Works well under sail for the person at the tiller. If the wind is reasonable and the boat is not heeling a lot, two people can sit under the Bimini -- one on each side all the way aft.
 

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Apr 19, 2012
99
Hunter 18.5 Clark Hill
Making me want one really bad. What is the rail for on each side forward of the Bimini mounts?
 

rweiss

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Aug 21, 2009
14
Rhodes 22 Kentucky
Making me want one really bad. What is the rail for on each side forward of the Bimini mounts?
Those rails have nothing to do with the Bimini. They were added by the previous owner for handling a genoa. I was afraid they might be in the way for mounting the Bimini, but were not a problem at all.
 
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