Hi, I am thinking about getting a bimini for my new boat but don't see too many boats with biminis in the San Francisco Bay. Do you sailors out there think it may be too windy to have a bimini while sailing in the SF Bay? I really need to get one because the sun is damaging my skin!
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It's not the wind, it's the sun!
Biminis aren't "normal" here because when it's windy and the sun's out, it's the ONLY heat you can get! They seem to becoming more evident, perhaps because people are cruising further distances in larger boats, like up to the Delta. If your skin requires one, by all means, get one.
Biminis aren't "normal" here because when it's windy and the sun's out, it's the ONLY heat you can get! They seem to becoming more evident, perhaps because people are cruising further distances in larger boats, like up to the Delta. If your skin requires one, by all means, get one.
Agree with Stu
We sailed Calico Dragon for 2 years in San Francisco and never found the need for a bimini. Now the dodger was a useful item for protection from the cold wind but on most occassions the sun was a welcome passenger. But just to be fair, we didn't have a bimini when we sailed in L.I. Sound or San Diego. I guess we just feel the sun & the wind in our face is a pleasure of sailing. If you are new to SF then I'd suggest you wait and see if you need a bimini. If not then I'm sure you'll find another use for the money.
We sailed Calico Dragon for 2 years in San Francisco and never found the need for a bimini. Now the dodger was a useful item for protection from the cold wind but on most occassions the sun was a welcome passenger. But just to be fair, we didn't have a bimini when we sailed in L.I. Sound or San Diego. I guess we just feel the sun & the wind in our face is a pleasure of sailing. If you are new to SF then I'd suggest you wait and see if you need a bimini. If not then I'm sure you'll find another use for the money.
Gotta have a dodger....
You gotta have a dodger in the bay. It can be very wet sailing out there without it. The bimini is really great once you get north or south of the slot. We have both on our Hunter but we are located in the delta. It is nice to be able to have the bimini for those rainy days at the dock too. They are easy to put away and deploy so why not have one if money is not the issue. You health is worth more than a couple of grand. PS: They have nice ones that you can purchase from this site too.
You gotta have a dodger in the bay. It can be very wet sailing out there without it. The bimini is really great once you get north or south of the slot. We have both on our Hunter but we are located in the delta. It is nice to be able to have the bimini for those rainy days at the dock too. They are easy to put away and deploy so why not have one if money is not the issue. You health is worth more than a couple of grand. PS: They have nice ones that you can purchase from this site too.
A well made, and well fitting bimini
should be able to stand up nicely to most of the winds you would keep your sails up in. I personally would not buy or own a boat that could not fit a bimini under its boom (i.e., some of the lovely older designs with very low aspect ratio sail plans -- and very low booms). UV rays are out there on sunny days and cloudy days, and when they hit your skin, you own them for life. Sailing is sort of tough on your skin so you ought to give it any break you can, like using sun screen whenever you sail -- and a bimini. Sorry for the soapboxing here, but I've just had too many friends regret not doing these preventive skin maintenance chores and they have come to really regret it later in life.
should be able to stand up nicely to most of the winds you would keep your sails up in. I personally would not buy or own a boat that could not fit a bimini under its boom (i.e., some of the lovely older designs with very low aspect ratio sail plans -- and very low booms). UV rays are out there on sunny days and cloudy days, and when they hit your skin, you own them for life. Sailing is sort of tough on your skin so you ought to give it any break you can, like using sun screen whenever you sail -- and a bimini. Sorry for the soapboxing here, but I've just had too many friends regret not doing these preventive skin maintenance chores and they have come to really regret it later in life.
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