I'm shopping for a bimini for my Hunter 280 and would like some input from owners of similar sized boats. I have investigated those available from this site and while I believe they are a good product, the premeasured versions are either too small - the rail mount type; or too large - the one for the 280 is 8' long and is a split mount which would be great for maximum coverage but would interfere (I think) with getting on/off the boat and sail handling. I read a recommendation for IndyCanvas and their product looks to be of good quality too. Any experience with others available thru mail order? Thanks for your help! Clark
- Status
Get a window with it
Since you are going to try sailing with it up you will find out that you can't see the set of the sail without a window of some sort located so the helm can see the windex. Also get a light color. The dark blue you get to match Hunters stuff gets REAL hot to stand under. White is best.
Since you are going to try sailing with it up you will find out that you can't see the set of the sail without a window of some sort located so the helm can see the windex. Also get a light color. The dark blue you get to match Hunters stuff gets REAL hot to stand under. White is best.
Thanks Bill. A window is definitely in the plans
And I have seriously considered a lighter shade but the Admiral really likes the Captains Navy and it looks great in pictures. What brand do you have?
And I have seriously considered a lighter shade but the Admiral really likes the Captains Navy and it looks great in pictures. What brand do you have?
28.5 Bimini
If you want to check out a 'custom' Bimini for about the same size boat check the Hunter 28.5 web site, click on photo gallery, click on Celebration II. There are shots with the main up and the Biminni up and shots with the boom / main furled just over the open Bimini, etc. Of course the 28.5 has a split backstay and I did have North Sails instal a sail trim window with velcrow attached cover. Our 'new' mainsail was measured to lift the boom about 8 inches to allow us to sail with Bimini up. Try : www.huntertwentyeightfive.com
If you want to check out a 'custom' Bimini for about the same size boat check the Hunter 28.5 web site, click on photo gallery, click on Celebration II. There are shots with the main up and the Biminni up and shots with the boom / main furled just over the open Bimini, etc. Of course the 28.5 has a split backstay and I did have North Sails instal a sail trim window with velcrow attached cover. Our 'new' mainsail was measured to lift the boom about 8 inches to allow us to sail with Bimini up. Try : www.huntertwentyeightfive.com
IndyCanvas
Here is a database of one item re IndyCanvas: Friend of mine sent his old dodger to IndyCanvas and asked them to make a new one using the old one as a pattern. The new one came and didn't come close to fitting. He sent it back. It came back the right size and he installed it. It now has a couple of tears at the attachment points and has only been on his boat a few months.... Caveat emptor, baby.
Here is a database of one item re IndyCanvas: Friend of mine sent his old dodger to IndyCanvas and asked them to make a new one using the old one as a pattern. The new one came and didn't come close to fitting. He sent it back. It came back the right size and he installed it. It now has a couple of tears at the attachment points and has only been on his boat a few months.... Caveat emptor, baby.
Mr Sauer; I didn't catch the maker of your bimini;
or was it a "real" custom job? Also, thanks Norm for the data point. Not a ringing endorsement but I don't have a lot of options. There is a custom maker here locally that wants $1800 for ~ 7' x 7' with window and rear stainless supports. ;-|
or was it a "real" custom job? Also, thanks Norm for the data point. Not a ringing endorsement but I don't have a lot of options. There is a custom maker here locally that wants $1800 for ~ 7' x 7' with window and rear stainless supports. ;-|
White Sunbrella does not hold up well.
Bill: White Sunbrella is not a good choice. It stains and breaks down quickly. I agree that a lighter color helps. I would suggest that someone looking for a Bimini contact the folks at this website. They have custom and pre-measured units available. One of our fellow sailors ordered one for their Hunter 30 and it fits like a custom unit. They do interfere with boarding, but that is part of the price to pay for having protection from the sun. The window is a great idea. Also it is a nice feature to that stainless supports for the rear (rather than straps).
Bill: White Sunbrella is not a good choice. It stains and breaks down quickly. I agree that a lighter color helps. I would suggest that someone looking for a Bimini contact the folks at this website. They have custom and pre-measured units available. One of our fellow sailors ordered one for their Hunter 30 and it fits like a custom unit. They do interfere with boarding, but that is part of the price to pay for having protection from the sun. The window is a great idea. Also it is a nice feature to that stainless supports for the rear (rather than straps).
Bimini
North Sails, Annapolis made our Bimini in spring of 2003 for $1244. The frame is three 1" stainless steel tube bows mounted on the front of the rear pulpit and it folds vertically on either side of the split backstay. The 7' x7' Captain's Navy sunbrella fabric top has two zippers running aft from the split backstay openings. There are two adjustable tiedown straps that attach to the top of the stern pulpit on either side of the swim ladder opening and the front two tiedown straps attach to the toe rail at each side. It has a heavy weight 12" x12" clear plastic trim window with a velcrow attached cover on the underside. The Bimini boot also zips around the backstay adjuster. It is 'custom' in that they came to the boat and measured everything. You can probably get one cheaper, particularly with less sturdy aluminum frames or if you order someone's 'standard' model, which may work if you don't have a split backstay. Ours is a perfect fit. It has about 6'-1" headroom and is 1" clear below the boom because we had a new mainsail cut to that height so we can sail with the Bimini'up' on all points of sail. By mounting it on the forward edge of the stern pulpit it is as wide as possible and does not interfere with winch handles or our fuel filler location on deck or our dock lines. North may not be convenient to your location, but if they have done a bimini for your model year Hunter, they may be able to work off an existing set of measurements.
North Sails, Annapolis made our Bimini in spring of 2003 for $1244. The frame is three 1" stainless steel tube bows mounted on the front of the rear pulpit and it folds vertically on either side of the split backstay. The 7' x7' Captain's Navy sunbrella fabric top has two zippers running aft from the split backstay openings. There are two adjustable tiedown straps that attach to the top of the stern pulpit on either side of the swim ladder opening and the front two tiedown straps attach to the toe rail at each side. It has a heavy weight 12" x12" clear plastic trim window with a velcrow attached cover on the underside. The Bimini boot also zips around the backstay adjuster. It is 'custom' in that they came to the boat and measured everything. You can probably get one cheaper, particularly with less sturdy aluminum frames or if you order someone's 'standard' model, which may work if you don't have a split backstay. Ours is a perfect fit. It has about 6'-1" headroom and is 1" clear below the boom because we had a new mainsail cut to that height so we can sail with the Bimini'up' on all points of sail. By mounting it on the forward edge of the stern pulpit it is as wide as possible and does not interfere with winch handles or our fuel filler location on deck or our dock lines. North may not be convenient to your location, but if they have done a bimini for your model year Hunter, they may be able to work off an existing set of measurements.
Quick Correction on Bimini Size
On second thought, I checked the photos of Celebration II -- I think the front to back dimension is more like 5 to 5.5 feet and the width should be about 7' because that is the width of the boat at the stern. Fixed stainless rear tubes wouold not alow you to fold the bimini forward against the backstay.
On second thought, I checked the photos of Celebration II -- I think the front to back dimension is more like 5 to 5.5 feet and the width should be about 7' because that is the width of the boat at the stern. Fixed stainless rear tubes wouold not alow you to fold the bimini forward against the backstay.
Here is another data point
re IndyCanvas: I recently bought, via eBay, a leatherwheel cover for my H28.5 from IndyCanvas. I thought the price was great compared to the name brand competitors. When the product arrived, it appeared to be very good quality leather....but, as opposed to the literature that came with it, the holes were supposed to be punched from inside to outside as that is how you lace it on. On one side, the holes were invisible from the inside, but visible from the outside. I believe they were punched incorrectly. Also, the holes from one side did not match up with holes on the other side. This meant I had to poke EACH hole from inside to out with a pick in order to find them. To make matters worse, one of the two supplied blunt nosed needles broke and I had to use one of my own sail needles, not a perfect solution. Finally, the amount of special flat waxed twine supplied ran out before I had the job done -- necessitating me either calling to get more from IndyCanvas or using my own to finish the job. I used my own. The instructions state that with could be a 3-hour job. I'm handy and do a lot of my own hand stitching. This job took me over 7 very tedious hours. In the end, the wheel cover looks "ok." Not great, but not bad. Would this job have been easier if I ordered a name brand wheel cover? Who knows? What I do know is that I won't be ordering anything from IndyCanvas. I think they have a poorly run, or non-existant, quality control program. See Norm's comment below which also suggests quality control is lacking.
re IndyCanvas: I recently bought, via eBay, a leatherwheel cover for my H28.5 from IndyCanvas. I thought the price was great compared to the name brand competitors. When the product arrived, it appeared to be very good quality leather....but, as opposed to the literature that came with it, the holes were supposed to be punched from inside to outside as that is how you lace it on. On one side, the holes were invisible from the inside, but visible from the outside. I believe they were punched incorrectly. Also, the holes from one side did not match up with holes on the other side. This meant I had to poke EACH hole from inside to out with a pick in order to find them. To make matters worse, one of the two supplied blunt nosed needles broke and I had to use one of my own sail needles, not a perfect solution. Finally, the amount of special flat waxed twine supplied ran out before I had the job done -- necessitating me either calling to get more from IndyCanvas or using my own to finish the job. I used my own. The instructions state that with could be a 3-hour job. I'm handy and do a lot of my own hand stitching. This job took me over 7 very tedious hours. In the end, the wheel cover looks "ok." Not great, but not bad. Would this job have been easier if I ordered a name brand wheel cover? Who knows? What I do know is that I won't be ordering anything from IndyCanvas. I think they have a poorly run, or non-existant, quality control program. See Norm's comment below which also suggests quality control is lacking.
Check the chandelry
on the HOW site. They seem to be selling bimini's for a 280 for $750-850 or so. Those appear to be pretty good prices.
on the HOW site. They seem to be selling bimini's for a 280 for $750-850 or so. Those appear to be pretty good prices.
Thanks Warren, your advice is appreciated..
I have checked the HOW and as said earlier, the choices for my 280 are a 3.5' rail mount (too small) or an 8' split mount - two sets of bows - that I'm afraid will be too large. It's weird that a "custom" from this site is 6 boat units more than a much more complicated setup. Maybe I can get an H28 pre-measured to fit or . . . we'll see.
I have checked the HOW and as said earlier, the choices for my 280 are a 3.5' rail mount (too small) or an 8' split mount - two sets of bows - that I'm afraid will be too large. It's weird that a "custom" from this site is 6 boat units more than a much more complicated setup. Maybe I can get an H28 pre-measured to fit or . . . we'll see.
Update to Bimini Search
I contacted the HOW Chandlery and learned that they have changed the shop they use for custom work and a standard bimini for my boat - H280 - would probably be only a little more than the larger standard size. Yipeee! Anyway, I have the measurement sheet and will take measurements this weekend so they can give me a quote.
I contacted the HOW Chandlery and learned that they have changed the shop they use for custom work and a standard bimini for my boat - H280 - would probably be only a little more than the larger standard size. Yipeee! Anyway, I have the measurement sheet and will take measurements this weekend so they can give me a quote.
3'-8" length?
If the 'standard' bimini is 3'-8" you may wan to take a look at one installed. It sounds like it could only be aft of the end of the boom and that the boom is not high enough for sufficient headroom. That was originally my case on our 28.5; as I could look straight into the end of the boom while standing behind the wheel. By raising the outboard end of the boom, we sacrificed a triangular 'wedge' of sail area about 8-10" high at the aft end, but were able to extend the length of the bimini forward for extra length. and there is enough room to get in and out of the cockpit. Six hundred dollars (less three years escalation) seems like a big unwarrented price increase, but I'm looking at my invoice so that's what it cost. As I may have said in my initial post, check out Celebration in the photo Gallery on: www.huntertwentyeightfive.com I'd do it once & do it right
If the 'standard' bimini is 3'-8" you may wan to take a look at one installed. It sounds like it could only be aft of the end of the boom and that the boom is not high enough for sufficient headroom. That was originally my case on our 28.5; as I could look straight into the end of the boom while standing behind the wheel. By raising the outboard end of the boom, we sacrificed a triangular 'wedge' of sail area about 8-10" high at the aft end, but were able to extend the length of the bimini forward for extra length. and there is enough room to get in and out of the cockpit. Six hundred dollars (less three years escalation) seems like a big unwarrented price increase, but I'm looking at my invoice so that's what it cost. As I may have said in my initial post, check out Celebration in the photo Gallery on: www.huntertwentyeightfive.com I'd do it once & do it right
There are two versions because . .
Hunter built (or at least designed for) 3 different versions of the 280. One w/ tiller and semi-aft sheeting, one w/ a pedestal and aft sheeting anchored at the pedestal and the last - like mine - that has a pedestal and mid boom sheeting from the cabin top. The short standard bimini is for those that have the rearward sheeting and the long version is for the cabin top traveler. In all cases, the boom is ~ 6'2" of the cockpit floor and gives my 6' frame plenty of room to walk around under it ;D
Hunter built (or at least designed for) 3 different versions of the 280. One w/ tiller and semi-aft sheeting, one w/ a pedestal and aft sheeting anchored at the pedestal and the last - like mine - that has a pedestal and mid boom sheeting from the cabin top. The short standard bimini is for those that have the rearward sheeting and the long version is for the cabin top traveler. In all cases, the boom is ~ 6'2" of the cockpit floor and gives my 6' frame plenty of room to walk around under it ;D
try a custom builder
Get a custom builder to make the top you want. they can do wonders, and have great ideas to make it easy to use and better than oem stuff.
Get a custom builder to make the top you want. they can do wonders, and have great ideas to make it easy to use and better than oem stuff.
Ameriseam
Just finished installing one from Ameriseam thru the Chandlery for my 94 H30T and it is very high quality construction....I comunnicated with several owners before taking the step, and even tho the freight co. beat up the first shipment, Ameriseam came back with a replacement no problem. Installation requires some extra time for appropriate placement on your boat..the boilerplate instructions may not fit your sailing style...
Just finished installing one from Ameriseam thru the Chandlery for my 94 H30T and it is very high quality construction....I comunnicated with several owners before taking the step, and even tho the freight co. beat up the first shipment, Ameriseam came back with a replacement no problem. Installation requires some extra time for appropriate placement on your boat..the boilerplate instructions may not fit your sailing style...
Price differences
A little clarification: The price differences you see between the canvas we carry and those offered by local shops is not a function of cheap materials or shortcuts in labor. Simply put, we have reliable patterns that do not require design time, visits to your boat, installation, etc. You don't get the same flexibility with options, but you save a lot of dough.
A little clarification: The price differences you see between the canvas we carry and those offered by local shops is not a function of cheap materials or shortcuts in labor. Simply put, we have reliable patterns that do not require design time, visits to your boat, installation, etc. You don't get the same flexibility with options, but you save a lot of dough.
Thanks Phil; I'm hoping my estimate will be OK.
Right now I'm still agonizing over the exact size and placement of the top in order to get the measurements.
Right now I'm still agonizing over the exact size and placement of the top in order to get the measurements.
- Status