bimini height

[Tom Monroe]

My bimini is too tall. Can't bring the boom in toward center line. I think if I raise the gooseneck a couple inches, and lower the bimini a couple inches, it should clear easily. I'm thinking I'll just remove the fitting from the base of the bimini support tube, hacksaw off a couple inches, and replace. I'll probably have to stoop just a bit, but I'd rather do that than fry. Any reason not to do this?Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake

 

[Hank LeSieur]

I would leave the gooseneck alone. Raising it means you'll probably have to modify your mainsail. Lowering the bimini as you suggested would be your best option.

 

[Jan B]

May have to recut mainsail

Tom, just be aware if you raise the gooseneck too much it will change the shape of your mainsail and you may have to have it recut. Can you have a local canvas shop recut your bimini (both canvas and stainless)to fall just behind the end of the boom? I have a Catalina 27 and had a bimini custom-made (2 bows vs. 3 bows) to accommodate the boom swing and we still have plenty of coverage. You may get a sore back from crouching and loose your view of the windex.

 

[Dave M]

Modified bimini

I modified my bimini the way that Jan described and it has worked great including coverage.GoodwindsDave Ms/v DAMWEGAS

 

[Don K.]

Standing Room

Do everything to keep standing head room. I have a Chrysler 26' and I had to install the bimini just aft of the boom and over the cockpit back to the transom with the back stay going thru the bimini. The C 26 has a short boom so it worked well for me.

 

[s sauer]

Sail Modifications

Depending upon how much you value your standing headroom under the bimini, you might look at another easy option.If your main is in decent shape and generally worth keeping, you can have a sailmaker trim off a wedge of the foot of the sail. Leave the tack as-is and cut the foot to a taper 8-10 inches at the outer end of the boom, creating a loose footed main. I ordered a new main for my 28.5 with the clew raised about 8" and the hoist and leech curve maximized, so I actually lost no area. I do have 6' clear at the forward bimini frame and maybe 6'-2 at the aft two frames.