Bimini

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Scott

Scott

.
Sep 24, 1997
242
Hunter 31_83-87 Middle River, Md
I'm on roll tonight. We need a new bimini for our "86 h31. Checked the chandlery and they have listings I think for every boat except ours. I e-mailed last week re., same. No response!!! Do whomever sells this want the business or not. All I need is the canvas as the frame is factory specs. How "bout it?
 
S

s sauer

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Jun 4, 2004
844
Hunter 28.5 Tolchester, MD
Existing Canvas?

If you have the existing Bimini, just take it to a local sail loft or have a loft you trust recommend someone. I had North Sails, Annapolis make mine custom several years ago, with 1" stainless steel tubing from measurements of the boat (Hunter 28.5) and the custom job was about the same as the quote on this site's chandlery.
 
H

Hermit Scott

Cost

I was looking online and it appears that sunbrella cloth costs $17 per yard 60" wide. Is sunbrella the type of cloth that biminis are made of? IF it is I am going to buy a sowing machine and make my own sailcovers and bimini cover. It seems like it would be pretty easy as long as you had an existing cover as a pattern. Can you just buy the cloth and take it to a seamstress and have them sow one up? Don't tell them it's for a boat or they will charge you in boat dollars.
 
Patrick S/V Shangra-La

Patrick S/V Shangra-La

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Sep 6, 2007
324
Catalina 320 Gulfport, Fl
Most apholstery shops.

If you have the old bimini take it to an upholstery or convertable top maker and let them copy the old one as a new pattern. They have the machines that can sew through sunbrella.
I have a guy close by that does great work at a resonable price.
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

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Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
Bimini's may be made from a number of fabrics, but I think Sunbrella (the most expensive) is the best in terms of UV protection and how long it lasts. I don't know how complicated your current bimini is, but on my bimini, which has 3 bows and runs thru a split backstay, it would take a bit of sewing talent to make one myself -- and I do sew. I would do as Stewart suggests, that is, take it to a local sail loft or canvas shop and have them replicate your current bimini. I have also used Island Nautical (see www.islandnauticalcanvas.com) and they are a reputable firm with reasonable prices. You can also check their website to get an idea of how much a replicated bimini might cost and compare that to what you can get if for locally.
 
S

s sauer

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Jun 4, 2004
844
Hunter 28.5 Tolchester, MD
Sewing Machine

The cost of the sewing machine , plus UV resistant thread and heavier needles may exceed the cost of having someone make one for you. I've been able to resurect an old Singer machine with heavier needles and buy some decent UV resistant thread to re-stitch my sail cover seams, but doing zippers, double folded seams and hemmed edges is beyond me.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
My portable Singer will handle 5 laters of sunbrella

easily. V-69 thread and special Sunbrella thread can be bought for a few bucks a spool. The groumets and other fasteners are a bigger problem the the sewing machine.
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

.
Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
Bimini Replacement

Bimini's may be made from a number of fabrics, but I think Sunbrella (the most expensive) is the best in terms of UV protection and how long it lasts. I don't know how complicated your current bimini is, but on my bimini, which has 3 bows and runs thru a split backstay, it would take a bit of sewing talent to make one myself -- and I do sew. I would do as Stewart suggests, that is, take it to a local sail loft or canvas shop and have them replicate your current bimini. I have also used Island Nautical (see www.islandnauticalcanvas.com) and they are a reputable firm with reasonable prices. You can also check their website to get an idea of how much a replicated bimini might cost and compare that to what you can get if for locally.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Don't think they can replace what you have.

Scott:

I do not think that they can replace what you have.

If you email dave@sailboatowners.com he should be able to let you know.
 
Phil Herring

Phil Herring

Alien
Mar 25, 1997
4,924
- - Bainbridge Island
Reply sent 8/22

Hi Scott,

We sent a reply to your inquiry on 8/22 which included links to determine what you need. Be sure to check your spam folder and if it's not there, please send an email to me (phil at sailboatowners.com) or call us toll free 877-932-7245. Dave was the person here who answered your request.

Email. Can't live with it, can't live without it.

ph.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Along this same line of topic...

I do like to get my gear from here and I will check here first. However, for the predefined biminis listed, there isn't enough information to make an informed purchase.

For example: I think my boat, a Lancer 27, is somewhat standard in design. While searching for a bimini for my boat I ran across many different pricing schedules. From the mid three hundreds to well over a grand. My specs are simple: 84W x 45H x 76L. But if I look at the chandlery I see only "x foot coverage". No other info regarding dimensions.

If all the info was present such as W x H x L then I could easily purchase on already designed for another boat but with the same dimensions as I need for my boat. Granted, there would have to be some modifications, but I think that could be taken care of.

So, where am I going wrong with my thinking?
 
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