Bimini Top
- Thread starter Manny
- Start date
- Status
Bimini Usage
Manny, I always stow my boat's bimini on it's frames while away from the boat. My canvas guy made a well-fitting red Sunbrella cover with a long zipper that covers the whole bimini, which should outlast me. Even when sailing if I do not need it, it is covered. See my avatar. Pete
Manny, I always stow my boat's bimini on it's frames while away from the boat. My canvas guy made a well-fitting red Sunbrella cover with a long zipper that covers the whole bimini, which should outlast me. Even when sailing if I do not need it, it is covered. See my avatar. Pete
Always stow it
Ours stows in one disconnect, fold, and cover operation. I suspect ease of stowing is a big factor. David
Ours stows in one disconnect, fold, and cover operation. I suspect ease of stowing is a big factor. David
In SoCal I leave mine up all the time. Going on
11 years now, and still in good shape. I like the shade when I sail or just hang out on the boat.
11 years now, and still in good shape. I like the shade when I sail or just hang out on the boat.
Scott, nice mug!
It is usually the thread that breaks down before the fabric. Check your seams. When having/doing canvas work, always request/use goretex thread. I will be in your area around Christmas. I will be visiting my wife's family in Blairstown. Maybe we can hoist a few while talking sailing.
It is usually the thread that breaks down before the fabric. Check your seams. When having/doing canvas work, always request/use goretex thread. I will be in your area around Christmas. I will be visiting my wife's family in Blairstown. Maybe we can hoist a few while talking sailing.
Depends..
Do you have a bad bird dropping problem? If not you can leave it on and you'll actually use it more. As Tim stated the weakest link will be thread and unprotected zippers. The Sunbrella, if treated regularly, (once per season) with 303 Fabric Guard will last a LONG time!!
Do you have a bad bird dropping problem? If not you can leave it on and you'll actually use it more. As Tim stated the weakest link will be thread and unprotected zippers. The Sunbrella, if treated regularly, (once per season) with 303 Fabric Guard will last a LONG time!!
Roll it up.....
You can get violent line-squall 'busters' coming down the Susquehanna River/valley, plus violent T-storms forming on the western shore of the Chesapeake ( 70+mph is not all that unusual). You really dont want that much 'sail area' up during a heavy squall.
You can get violent line-squall 'busters' coming down the Susquehanna River/valley, plus violent T-storms forming on the western shore of the Chesapeake ( 70+mph is not all that unusual). You really dont want that much 'sail area' up during a heavy squall.
Come to think of it ...
The threads are breaking down on one of the sections. I have to admit, during last night's storm, I was thinking about how much sail area the bimini adds. It was reported that winds could be up to 70 mph in select locations. This morning, all was well. Tim, I'm all for that! Blairstown is really nice and I bet there are a few good places to hoist a few nearby. We use that bike trail (old RR bed) that goes right thru town and the park along the Paulinskill. I am always a little astonished at the date on that picture. I used to think it was normal for the trees around here to start turning color in mid-September and the lake to be too cold for swimming. A week into October, now, and the heat is like the middle of summer and the lake is still plenty warm for swimming. Look how green the trees are!
The threads are breaking down on one of the sections. I have to admit, during last night's storm, I was thinking about how much sail area the bimini adds. It was reported that winds could be up to 70 mph in select locations. This morning, all was well. Tim, I'm all for that! Blairstown is really nice and I bet there are a few good places to hoist a few nearby. We use that bike trail (old RR bed) that goes right thru town and the park along the Paulinskill. I am always a little astonished at the date on that picture. I used to think it was normal for the trees around here to start turning color in mid-September and the lake to be too cold for swimming. A week into October, now, and the heat is like the middle of summer and the lake is still plenty warm for swimming. Look how green the trees are!
Seasonal schedule
I enjoy sailing my B361 better without the bimini, but summer heat in the south is a killer. So I put it up around the first of June and take it down about Oct. 1 each year. This practice saves on the UV exposure, too. Agaliha
I enjoy sailing my B361 better without the bimini, but summer heat in the south is a killer. So I put it up around the first of June and take it down about Oct. 1 each year. This practice saves on the UV exposure, too. Agaliha
I have a great bimini
made of quality Sunbrella that I use every time I sail between June and September. Before or after that, bimini usage depends on the how many UV rays I think I'm getting. But whenever I use it I fold it up on its frames and cover it with a boot. My personal belief is that (1) bimini's are expensive; (2) I want mine to last as long as it can; (3) leaving the bimini deployed risks bird droppings, severe weather damage, and acid rain damage; and (4) folding it up is fast and easy. I can think of no reason to leave it deployed when I leave the boat.
made of quality Sunbrella that I use every time I sail between June and September. Before or after that, bimini usage depends on the how many UV rays I think I'm getting. But whenever I use it I fold it up on its frames and cover it with a boot. My personal belief is that (1) bimini's are expensive; (2) I want mine to last as long as it can; (3) leaving the bimini deployed risks bird droppings, severe weather damage, and acid rain damage; and (4) folding it up is fast and easy. I can think of no reason to leave it deployed when I leave the boat.
I always leave mine up. Not only will it keep the cockpit clean but I find it helps protect everything as well. its cheaper to replace the canvas then the gelcoat and electronics.
You see, that confuses me!
I would rather have the bird droppings on the bimini than all over the cockpit! Also, I noticed when I have rolled up the bimini and stored it in the boot, the spiders loved to hang out there. We have fewer spiders when the bimini is deployed full time!
I would rather have the bird droppings on the bimini than all over the cockpit! Also, I noticed when I have rolled up the bimini and stored it in the boot, the spiders loved to hang out there. We have fewer spiders when the bimini is deployed full time!
Up then Down for the winter
We set it up in late March or so, then take it down around early December. No real reason to keep it up all winter here. If there is a VERY strong wind or hurricane forcast, we take it down or collapse it and lash it up to the backstay. I really need to make a bimini boot for it this year.
We set it up in late March or so, then take it down around early December. No real reason to keep it up all winter here. If there is a VERY strong wind or hurricane forcast, we take it down or collapse it and lash it up to the backstay. I really need to make a bimini boot for it this year.
Hmm, Seems like leaving it up is slightly more popular
I've noticed the cockpit is a lot dirtier now (spiders, birds, etc) that I am in Havre de Grace. I'm hoping to keep it cleaner by leaving the top up. Plus every time I take the cover off, there always seems to be a few unpleasant creatures that have decided to take residence in there. I am not that concerned about wear, as long as it doesn't get shredded. I have an industrial sewing machine and thread formulated to withstand UV exposure, and my mom can reverse engineer the bimini to repair/replace any part of it. I may try leaving it up for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Thanks so much for the replies. Manny
I've noticed the cockpit is a lot dirtier now (spiders, birds, etc) that I am in Havre de Grace. I'm hoping to keep it cleaner by leaving the top up. Plus every time I take the cover off, there always seems to be a few unpleasant creatures that have decided to take residence in there. I am not that concerned about wear, as long as it doesn't get shredded. I have an industrial sewing machine and thread formulated to withstand UV exposure, and my mom can reverse engineer the bimini to repair/replace any part of it. I may try leaving it up for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Thanks so much for the replies. Manny
Scott, try Downy Dryer Sheets
Scott: When you store you bimini in the boot, try adding 3 or 4 dryer sheets in the boot. Place one on each end and one or two spread out. It seems that they don't like the odor.
Scott: When you store you bimini in the boot, try adding 3 or 4 dryer sheets in the boot. Place one on each end and one or two spread out. It seems that they don't like the odor.
Stillraining
Why dont you have a window cut into your bimini so that you can see your sail? That is what most people do. Also they usually have a flap on top that will velcro down to keep the sun out when at anchor. That should take care of your one and only drawback. Tony B
Why dont you have a window cut into your bimini so that you can see your sail? That is what most people do. Also they usually have a flap on top that will velcro down to keep the sun out when at anchor. That should take care of your one and only drawback. Tony B
bimina & solar panels
I read about somebody who had attached solar panels to their bimini. Is is possible to do this if you plan on folding/taking down the bimini at times?
I read about somebody who had attached solar panels to their bimini. Is is possible to do this if you plan on folding/taking down the bimini at times?
- Status