I just purchase a 25' O'Day and would like to install an bimini top. The space between the back stay and the main sheet [from the boom to the traveler] seem limited. Has any owner installed a top on their O'Day or moved the traveler forward? Thanks, Charlie
Bimini top for 25' O'Day
- Thread starter Capt. Seaweed
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I installed a bimini last spring. There was enough room between the mainsheet and the backstay.The bimini fabric had to have a slit to allow the backstay to come forward.The rear frame goes BEHIND the backstay. This made all the neccesary differance.remember to keep the bimini low enough so that it clears the boom 1
I installed a bimini last spring. There was enough room between the mainsheet and the backstay.The bimini fabric had to have a slit to allow the backstay to come forward.The rear frame goes BEHIND the backstay. This made all the neccesary differance.remember to keep the bimini low enough so that it clears the boom 1
Where did you get your bimini?
I am new to this boat thing, so we are still trying to figure out where to find a dealer for the bimini. Has anyone ever used the stuff from West Marine? They only show pictures of power boats, so I worry a little. What things do I need to consider other than fitting it under the boom? Any advice is appreciated.
I am new to this boat thing, so we are still trying to figure out where to find a dealer for the bimini. Has anyone ever used the stuff from West Marine? They only show pictures of power boats, so I worry a little. What things do I need to consider other than fitting it under the boom? Any advice is appreciated.
get creative
I don't think you'll be able to find an off the shelf bimini that will work for you, however, if you're at all handy and feel like you're capable of cutting tubing and re-sewing a stock bimini, you could find one that's close to what you want and adjust it to fit your needs. As Timm R was saying, the bimini frame should go behind the backstay so once the frame is assembled and in place you need to measure and cut a slice for the backstay to slide through. This slice needs to be re-sewn correctly so it doesn't rip or fray. Most I've seen have some sort of zipper flap sewn on to cover the sliced area and hold it together. The tube frame may need to be modified to mount on the pushpit and/or on the coamings. One final thing to keep in mind is being able to see your sails to trim them. Some biminis have windows to see your sails from. Don't make the windows too big since it defeats the sun shade aspect. The other option is to hire someone to build you one.
I don't think you'll be able to find an off the shelf bimini that will work for you, however, if you're at all handy and feel like you're capable of cutting tubing and re-sewing a stock bimini, you could find one that's close to what you want and adjust it to fit your needs. As Timm R was saying, the bimini frame should go behind the backstay so once the frame is assembled and in place you need to measure and cut a slice for the backstay to slide through. This slice needs to be re-sewn correctly so it doesn't rip or fray. Most I've seen have some sort of zipper flap sewn on to cover the sliced area and hold it together. The tube frame may need to be modified to mount on the pushpit and/or on the coamings. One final thing to keep in mind is being able to see your sails to trim them. Some biminis have windows to see your sails from. Don't make the windows too big since it defeats the sun shade aspect. The other option is to hire someone to build you one.
Timm R Where Did You Get Your Bimini
Timm, like Scott, I'd like to know where you got your bimini. Also, did they know the proper size or did you have to provide that? I really do want to get a bimini for my 25 and I'd rather order it from someone who knows what I need. Thanks.
Timm, like Scott, I'd like to know where you got your bimini. Also, did they know the proper size or did you have to provide that? I really do want to get a bimini for my 25 and I'd rather order it from someone who knows what I need. Thanks.
Give me a day or so
I 'm having a new Sunbrella top made .When I get it back, I'll mount the whole thing on the boat. After it's mounted ,I post photo's and dimensions.
I 'm having a new Sunbrella top made .When I get it back, I'll mount the whole thing on the boat. After it's mounted ,I post photo's and dimensions.
Ahh Shade!
I have to agree that this is probably the best addition I've made. Unfortunately, the 25 with the main sheet attached to the cockpit bench doesn't allow much length back to front. I bought mine on this site. NOT the easiest transaction arrived bent etc. Mine is mounted just inside the back stay and goes pretty close to the main sheet. Its great when the sun is high. Otherwise it provides great shade to any fish swimming just off the side of the boat. I'm planning to add another bar facing aft. That one would go outside the back stay and extend the bimini in that direction. I've considered having the additional cloth made such that it it comes forward to the arm leading forward so that it provides a bit more shade from each side. On a hot day the bimini is worth about a million bucks. (And if you buy it here that's about what it will cost.) Mike
I have to agree that this is probably the best addition I've made. Unfortunately, the 25 with the main sheet attached to the cockpit bench doesn't allow much length back to front. I bought mine on this site. NOT the easiest transaction arrived bent etc. Mine is mounted just inside the back stay and goes pretty close to the main sheet. Its great when the sun is high. Otherwise it provides great shade to any fish swimming just off the side of the boat. I'm planning to add another bar facing aft. That one would go outside the back stay and extend the bimini in that direction. I've considered having the additional cloth made such that it it comes forward to the arm leading forward so that it provides a bit more shade from each side. On a hot day the bimini is worth about a million bucks. (And if you buy it here that's about what it will cost.) Mike
Mike, Give Us The Details Of What You Ordered, Please
Mike, tell us exactly what you ordered so that I can do the same and get a bimini that will fit my 1978 O'Day 25. My situation is exactly like yours with the bench mounted mainsheet traveller. Also, what did it cost you. Thanks.
Mike, tell us exactly what you ordered so that I can do the same and get a bimini that will fit my 1978 O'Day 25. My situation is exactly like yours with the bench mounted mainsheet traveller. Also, what did it cost you. Thanks.
Its been a while
I measured from midpoint starboard to midpoint port on the coaming to get the width. Then from the backstay to the main sheet for length fore to aft. Then comes the tricky part. I'm not a racer. If racing I don't guess you'd have the bimini up. I tend to raise my mainsail a bit higher than the optimum. Just a couple of inches so I can stand under the boom. (At 5'10" it not that great a challenge). My bimini is set to go just under the boom. So you want to set your main with that in mind and measure from the coaming to the boom to get your height. The bimini cover comes with four straps with clasps at the end of each. I run two of these forward to the life lines at the aft end of the cabin and two to cleats on the transom. (these keep the shape of bimini while in use so it doesn't fold down as the whole thing pivots on the mounting hardware.)Then when I'm through I unclip, fold down the frame, lay it against the back stay and wrap the straps around the whole thing. Then I clip the end together with one set running behind and tight to the back stay. This keeps the bimini secure to the back stay when not in use. Then the cover goes over that. My bimini has one main arch. Then two arches off that, one to the rear and one forward. You could measure from the main to the back stay then ask for a re-enforced slit at that spot then continue on back a couple of feet. Then when you mount it you could get some help to hold up the mast while you disconnect the backstay and run it through that slit in the bimini cover and reattach the back stay. Its not something you'd have to remove often. The limited space available doesn't provide the most shade. PLEASE consider going beyond the back stay. I think you'll be happy you did. I wanna say I paid $750 or $800 for it. Mike
I measured from midpoint starboard to midpoint port on the coaming to get the width. Then from the backstay to the main sheet for length fore to aft. Then comes the tricky part. I'm not a racer. If racing I don't guess you'd have the bimini up. I tend to raise my mainsail a bit higher than the optimum. Just a couple of inches so I can stand under the boom. (At 5'10" it not that great a challenge). My bimini is set to go just under the boom. So you want to set your main with that in mind and measure from the coaming to the boom to get your height. The bimini cover comes with four straps with clasps at the end of each. I run two of these forward to the life lines at the aft end of the cabin and two to cleats on the transom. (these keep the shape of bimini while in use so it doesn't fold down as the whole thing pivots on the mounting hardware.)Then when I'm through I unclip, fold down the frame, lay it against the back stay and wrap the straps around the whole thing. Then I clip the end together with one set running behind and tight to the back stay. This keeps the bimini secure to the back stay when not in use. Then the cover goes over that. My bimini has one main arch. Then two arches off that, one to the rear and one forward. You could measure from the main to the back stay then ask for a re-enforced slit at that spot then continue on back a couple of feet. Then when you mount it you could get some help to hold up the mast while you disconnect the backstay and run it through that slit in the bimini cover and reattach the back stay. Its not something you'd have to remove often. The limited space available doesn't provide the most shade. PLEASE consider going beyond the back stay. I think you'll be happy you did. I wanna say I paid $750 or $800 for it. Mike
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