Bimini top

[Dug22]

I installed my Bimini this past Sunday. The dimensions are 6ft long, 73-78" wide and 48" tall. My question is, when I put the Bimini up I have to lift up on the boom near the topping lift so the center of the Bimini clears the boom. Once open and strapped down the boom clears the bimini. Does anyone else have to lift up on the boom to open their bimini or should I shorten mine?

 

[garymalmgren]

I have to swing the boom off to one side or lift it for the arc of the opening or closing bimini bow to clear.
Been doing it for years. No problem.
When you "shorten mine" you are referring to lowering the bimini height aren't you?
I wouldn't bother.

gary

 

[Dug22]

Thanks Gary seems I don't have a problem just a normal situation!

 

[Kermit]

Same thing on my H260. The only problem is that sometimes I forget and struggle with it until I realize what’s going on. It’s a very small price to pay for shade on the water.

 

[Gene Neill]

Same thing on my H260. The only problem is that sometimes I forget and struggle with it until I realize what’s going on.

You're not alone.

Gosh darn consarn crumb bum piece 'o JUNK! ... what'n tarnation's holdin' this cotton pickin' thing up THIS time!

... push push shove struggle struggle curse curse curse ...

Oh ... Yeah. Whew!!

... pant pant pant ...

 

[Kermit]

You're not alone.

Gosh darn consarn crumb bum piece 'o JUNK! ... what'n tarnation's holdin' this cotton pickin' thing up THIS time!

... push push shove struggle struggle curse curse curse ...

Oh ... Yeah. Whew!!

... pant pant pant ...

My words exactly!

 

[Hardhead]

Can you raise the whole boom at bit at the gooseneck?

 

[Daveinet]

I never have to lift the boom before putting up the Bimini. The reason is the Bimini goes up first, right after raising the mast. I debated if the Bimini should be lower than the boom. I'm glad it is above the boom. Under sail, it is nice to be able to stand up straight and still be under the Bimini. It looks a little high and awkward on the boat, but it was the right way to do it.

 

[victorhoisington]

Since you are only raising the end of the boom just raise the end of the boom with the topping lift. No real adjustment and it has no affect on sailing since you normally release the topping lift while sailing.

 

[rpludwig]

I raise up the boom to put the bimini up, once up in place and stretched out it clears the boom...ymmv...

 

[curt in CO]

I debated if the Bimini should be lower than the boom. I'm glad it is above the boom. Under sail, it is nice to be able to stand up straight and still be under the Bimini. It looks a little high and awkward on the boat, but it was the right way to do it.

What do you mean - it is above the boom? I thought the mainsail was above the boom?

 

[Lazy1]

I'm thinking/hoping he meant that it is above the boom when opening at it's highest reach, not during sail.

 

[Daveinet]

The boom is about 6+ inches longer than the sail. The Bimini just overhangs the boom by about 2-3 inches. It just barely clears the frame as it swings athwartship.

 

[rpludwig]

old thread (April), same answers, boom is held up by a topping lift, a rigid vang, a pigtail, or sitting atop the bimini when at rest. When sailing it clears the bimini which I believe mine to be 46" in height....I do need to raise the boom to deploy the bimini, as others have mentioned (as I have no topping lift), not uncommon...IMO

 

[ShotgunSlim]

You're not alone. My bimini will rub on the bottom of the boom as well so I bought enough small line to run my topping lift back to the cockpit. When I trailer, the bimini lays forward on the cabin for travel, I pull the boom/sail out of the cabin using the topping lift to support the back end of the boom while I attach it to the mast. Once rigged up, I can pull the back end of the boom up and raise the bimini. Once the bimini is secured on it's tracks and strapped down, I can lower the end of the boom to the correct sailing position. I find this to work for me and use less of Genes words in the process.