84 H31 Having a bimini made and have come to the conclusion that, while sailing, the boom must ride too low to facilitate having a bimini height which allows you to stand up under. I have shifted the bimini back to allow the rear of the boom to ride beneath the bimini. I feel that it's better to sacrifice some shade in the front of the cockpit to be able to stand up under the bimini. Am I wrong? Have others come to this conclusion? Any other options? Thanks.....Gary
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bimini height
Gary, You are correct, the boom will come very low for a normal bimini. I own a 85 hunter 31 and there are 4 others at our club. Three of us have made custom biminis for our boats and they mount on the stern life line rail and go forward to the companion way. Section one covers from the stern to just rear of the boom and can be kept up.Section two zips onto this and will cover forward to the companion way bulkhead and zips on a frame mounted to the cabin roof. This is slightly lower but works quite well. With the companion way slide closed you should get no rain in the boat with the forward bimini section installed. We did have to alter the foot of the sail to accomplish this though, but with no noticeable effect on sail performance. We cut approximately an 8" to 12"section from the rear leach at the clew and feathered it to the luff. I bent the frames from 1" stainless tubing I purchased at a mill supply. It was 10 gauge polished tubing used in hospitals. I used a normal conduit bender but had to modify it to to keep from kinking the tubing. I will be glad to send pictures and measurements if you like. E-mail greghatcher@comcast.net. Hope this was some help Greg
Gary, You are correct, the boom will come very low for a normal bimini. I own a 85 hunter 31 and there are 4 others at our club. Three of us have made custom biminis for our boats and they mount on the stern life line rail and go forward to the companion way. Section one covers from the stern to just rear of the boom and can be kept up.Section two zips onto this and will cover forward to the companion way bulkhead and zips on a frame mounted to the cabin roof. This is slightly lower but works quite well. With the companion way slide closed you should get no rain in the boat with the forward bimini section installed. We did have to alter the foot of the sail to accomplish this though, but with no noticeable effect on sail performance. We cut approximately an 8" to 12"section from the rear leach at the clew and feathered it to the luff. I bent the frames from 1" stainless tubing I purchased at a mill supply. It was 10 gauge polished tubing used in hospitals. I used a normal conduit bender but had to modify it to to keep from kinking the tubing. I will be glad to send pictures and measurements if you like. E-mail greghatcher@comcast.net. Hope this was some help Greg
Thanks Greg....
Just wanted to make sure that I'm on the right track. I think the way I'm having it made, it will suite my purpose. It does sound that your setup is ideal. My last boat allowed for the gooseneck to slide up and down the mast so as to have some flexibility, but this sucker is nailed to the mast. Thanks much.....Gary
Just wanted to make sure that I'm on the right track. I think the way I'm having it made, it will suite my purpose. It does sound that your setup is ideal. My last boat allowed for the gooseneck to slide up and down the mast so as to have some flexibility, but this sucker is nailed to the mast. Thanks much.....Gary
I will check next weekend...
when we go down to the boat and bring back some measurements. My boom goes over the bimini and we can all comfortably stand up under it.
when we go down to the boat and bring back some measurements. My boom goes over the bimini and we can all comfortably stand up under it.
OK, but I'll bet....
that your mainsail foot has been modified, which is probably the ultimate fix for this situation. Thanks for your trouble.....Gary
that your mainsail foot has been modified, which is probably the ultimate fix for this situation. Thanks for your trouble.....Gary
bimini
I have an bimini and a dodger on my boat. the bimini stops about 22 inches before the boom. also there is an connector between the bimini and the dodger that is functional when sailing in bad weather. hope that helps mike
I have an bimini and a dodger on my boat. the bimini stops about 22 inches before the boom. also there is an connector between the bimini and the dodger that is functional when sailing in bad weather. hope that helps mike
Bimini Picture
Here is a picture of my '85. The boom has been shortened by about 4" because of a goosneck failure. Please ignore the guests
Here is a picture of my '85. The boom has been shortened by about 4" because of a goosneck failure. Please ignore the guests
H-31 Bimini picture
Here is a picture of my 1985's top. The previous owner was 6'2 and could easily stand under the bimini.
Here is a picture of my 1985's top. The previous owner was 6'2 and could easily stand under the bimini.
Yours is very close to......
the way mine will be. My boom however, will be slightly lower in relation to the front of the bimini than yours, but the rear of the boom will just miss the front bow as it swings from side to side. Thanks for the picture.....Gary
the way mine will be. My boom however, will be slightly lower in relation to the front of the bimini than yours, but the rear of the boom will just miss the front bow as it swings from side to side. Thanks for the picture.....Gary
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