I was 'cooking' at the mooring this weekend and decided I need a bimini, I saw dave Underwoods in his post of the dodger project, Dave or anyone else know where i can either buy one or get the plans to make one? THanks, Greg
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bimini
I just had a new bimini built for WindSong by a local shop. He did a good job and it was cheeper than some of the asking prices I've seen for the generic versions from the catalogs. The guy is snowed under at the moment and you can't be in a hurry. If you are interested e-mail me and I'll send his business phone etc. The previous unit interefered with the winches and boom, had no window to see the masthead indicator. All those problems were taken care of plus there is an attachable skirt on the trailing egdge of the new one. This blocks the low sun and driving rain from the helsmans back. Nelson h-33
I just had a new bimini built for WindSong by a local shop. He did a good job and it was cheeper than some of the asking prices I've seen for the generic versions from the catalogs. The guy is snowed under at the moment and you can't be in a hurry. If you are interested e-mail me and I'll send his business phone etc. The previous unit interefered with the winches and boom, had no window to see the masthead indicator. All those problems were taken care of plus there is an attachable skirt on the trailing egdge of the new one. This blocks the low sun and driving rain from the helsmans back. Nelson h-33
Sailrite kits.
Several of us have made our own. But it is not a project that you can hammer out in a hurry. I spent a few weekends during the winter making mine. And you can find pictures in the Photo Forum of Ron Pearson's canvas. He made everything: dodger, bimini, and sail covers. It is not difficult and you save a LOT of money. I bought aluminum because I am on fresh water but you would want the stainless. See Related Link. Meanwhile one of those four corner umbrellas with the center post will fend of those harmful rays.
Several of us have made our own. But it is not a project that you can hammer out in a hurry. I spent a few weekends during the winter making mine. And you can find pictures in the Photo Forum of Ron Pearson's canvas. He made everything: dodger, bimini, and sail covers. It is not difficult and you save a LOT of money. I bought aluminum because I am on fresh water but you would want the stainless. See Related Link. Meanwhile one of those four corner umbrellas with the center post will fend of those harmful rays.
Hey Greg.....
Just saw your post and wanted to respond. The dodger I made myself, but the bimini was made by a local shop that came out to the boat and made the measurements while I was there so he could ask such questions as how tall, how wide, window?, split backstay zippers, etc. What I settled on was one that runs from the stern pulpit to just short of the end of boom so I can use it while under sail and have full head room while standing underneath. the width is no more than the stern of the cockpit and uses 3 bows. It will fold up neatly, but its been open since it was installed 4 years ago. No window in the top for me since I figuired I could use the zippers going to the split backstay to view thur and no window to get yellow and cloudy. Very pleased so far and it seems to work very well that when sailing, I unzip the the zippers going to the split back stays just a few inches and it gives me good view on both tacks. I will try to do a few pics next trip up to give you some scale of my top. If I were needing one at this stage, I would make it myself. It would certainly be easier than building the dodger. I think stainless steel is a must, not only stronger, but will stay cleaner. Mine is 7/8 inch which seems plenty strong to me, 1 inch would be stronger but alot heavier. Let me know if you need pics, I will be happy to post. good luck, David Underwood
Just saw your post and wanted to respond. The dodger I made myself, but the bimini was made by a local shop that came out to the boat and made the measurements while I was there so he could ask such questions as how tall, how wide, window?, split backstay zippers, etc. What I settled on was one that runs from the stern pulpit to just short of the end of boom so I can use it while under sail and have full head room while standing underneath. the width is no more than the stern of the cockpit and uses 3 bows. It will fold up neatly, but its been open since it was installed 4 years ago. No window in the top for me since I figuired I could use the zippers going to the split backstay to view thur and no window to get yellow and cloudy. Very pleased so far and it seems to work very well that when sailing, I unzip the the zippers going to the split back stays just a few inches and it gives me good view on both tacks. I will try to do a few pics next trip up to give you some scale of my top. If I were needing one at this stage, I would make it myself. It would certainly be easier than building the dodger. I think stainless steel is a must, not only stronger, but will stay cleaner. Mine is 7/8 inch which seems plenty strong to me, 1 inch would be stronger but alot heavier. Let me know if you need pics, I will be happy to post. good luck, David Underwood
That would be great Dave....
I do have some concerns about cluttering up an already tight cockpit with bows and such, and have even been thinking about an awning since I don't mind the sun as much when sailing, and an awning seems easier to make myself. that being said the pics would give me a better idea of what the cockpit would look like so when you get a chance, by the way your boat looks fantastic...she looks like she is in better shape than when she was new! Keep up the good work. Greg
I do have some concerns about cluttering up an already tight cockpit with bows and such, and have even been thinking about an awning since I don't mind the sun as much when sailing, and an awning seems easier to make myself. that being said the pics would give me a better idea of what the cockpit would look like so when you get a chance, by the way your boat looks fantastic...she looks like she is in better shape than when she was new! Keep up the good work. Greg
Having one built now.
The wife says she MUST have something to shade her during the hot cruising season. I am having a local canvas shop build one very similar to Dave's version. One difference is in the number of bows. We are having ours built with only two bows (I think). However, the canvas builder says that if the boat is unattended and it rains, water may collect and put a lot of weight on the assembly. I don't know if I want to take this thing apart every time I leave the boat. Any thoughts on that? Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty 1981 H33 out of Rochester, NY
The wife says she MUST have something to shade her during the hot cruising season. I am having a local canvas shop build one very similar to Dave's version. One difference is in the number of bows. We are having ours built with only two bows (I think). However, the canvas builder says that if the boat is unattended and it rains, water may collect and put a lot of weight on the assembly. I don't know if I want to take this thing apart every time I leave the boat. Any thoughts on that? Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty 1981 H33 out of Rochester, NY
Don't need to take it apart.
Ken: You don't need to take it apart. They just fold up. Then you have a boot to store them in up against the back stay. You need to be able to decommission them in high winds or other times when they are not needed or wanted. Just a couple of suggestions. First, I would suggest that you use three bows. I think you will find that this will not only be a problem with only two when it rains but will be a problem in a big breeze with the canvas whipping. I would also suggest a light color. They may not match other canvas on the boat but if you are standing under it and your head is within 5-6" of it,it will cook your brain. You can still have a boot made the same color as your sail cover. You may also want to consider have a slits made so the bimini goes all the way back to the stern rail to optimize the amount of coverage. Also consider a window so you can see the main sail. This window should have a flap on it so you can cover it up. If you don't you get a hot house effect (cooked brains again). It is a very nice addition to the boat.
Ken: You don't need to take it apart. They just fold up. Then you have a boot to store them in up against the back stay. You need to be able to decommission them in high winds or other times when they are not needed or wanted. Just a couple of suggestions. First, I would suggest that you use three bows. I think you will find that this will not only be a problem with only two when it rains but will be a problem in a big breeze with the canvas whipping. I would also suggest a light color. They may not match other canvas on the boat but if you are standing under it and your head is within 5-6" of it,it will cook your brain. You can still have a boot made the same color as your sail cover. You may also want to consider have a slits made so the bimini goes all the way back to the stern rail to optimize the amount of coverage. Also consider a window so you can see the main sail. This window should have a flap on it so you can cover it up. If you don't you get a hot house effect (cooked brains again). It is a very nice addition to the boat.
Greg, why is the H33. . .
so different from the H37C? My bimini extends about 18" behind the backstay with the middle bow right at, but in front of the backstay. The front bow goes under the boom, probably another 18". This gives me over five feet of fore/aft shade with nearly 6'6" of headroom at the helm. I attached a picture of Chet Pruszynski's H37C, looks very much like mine.(could not get to the upload site, will try to put it in Photo Forum). The whole thing folds up against the backstay and is easily covered. This is the first season that I have left it up when I am not there during the week. I figure if all of those H380 patio enclosures can take the wind then my little 5x6 top will be fine.
so different from the H37C? My bimini extends about 18" behind the backstay with the middle bow right at, but in front of the backstay. The front bow goes under the boom, probably another 18". This gives me over five feet of fore/aft shade with nearly 6'6" of headroom at the helm. I attached a picture of Chet Pruszynski's H37C, looks very much like mine.(could not get to the upload site, will try to put it in Photo Forum). The whole thing folds up against the backstay and is easily covered. This is the first season that I have left it up when I am not there during the week. I figure if all of those H380 patio enclosures can take the wind then my little 5x6 top will be fine.
Hey Ed, the difference I think is....
That the H37 has mid boom sheeting, the Hunter 33 on the other hand has its sheeting at the end of the boom. My bimini goes from the very aft end of the boat, directly over the stern pulpit and forward for 6 feet or so up to the end of the boom and ends there. I also have 6'3" head room. Taking if further forward than the boom means moving the main sheets to mid-boom traveler setup. Sorry, I know you asked Greg, but sometimes I can't help jumping in.
That the H37 has mid boom sheeting, the Hunter 33 on the other hand has its sheeting at the end of the boom. My bimini goes from the very aft end of the boat, directly over the stern pulpit and forward for 6 feet or so up to the end of the boom and ends there. I also have 6'3" head room. Taking if further forward than the boom means moving the main sheets to mid-boom traveler setup. Sorry, I know you asked Greg, but sometimes I can't help jumping in.
Dave's got it right Ed....
I would like to get the traveller out of the cockpit at some point (how much would that cost??), but I figured until then (and actually after then if wanted) an awning would provide better shade at mooring and be cheaper. Come to think of it, nothing's cheap for our boats
I would like to get the traveller out of the cockpit at some point (how much would that cost??), but I figured until then (and actually after then if wanted) an awning would provide better shade at mooring and be cheaper. Come to think of it, nothing's cheap for our boats
Yes, knew that.
All the older H37Cs, including mine, have/had end-boom sheeting. My traveler is on the bridgedeck and I plan to keep it there. I worry more about sail trimming then shade. Many owners have moved it to mid-boom. Garhauer makes a very nice and reasonably priced system for that. If you want the dodger and bimini to connect you will want to do that. I suppose the first time I get hit in the face with a cold Atlantic wave I'll start to rethink this whole subject.
All the older H37Cs, including mine, have/had end-boom sheeting. My traveler is on the bridgedeck and I plan to keep it there. I worry more about sail trimming then shade. Many owners have moved it to mid-boom. Garhauer makes a very nice and reasonably priced system for that. If you want the dodger and bimini to connect you will want to do that. I suppose the first time I get hit in the face with a cold Atlantic wave I'll start to rethink this whole subject.
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