bimini
- Thread starter fred1diver
- Start date
Here you can see my Bimini and Dodger. I also have a connector. My boat is a Compac 23. She does go up on a trailer for the winter but I do take the bimini and dodger down when I am not at the boat.
you're lucky your boom rides at a decent height from the cabin top, mine is about 18" at the most from the cabin, does not leave much room for a bimini
I had one on my Mac 26S and loved it. Yes it was low so it fit under the boom and did inhibit movement some. But on a hot day it was so nice to have shade in the cockpit. It was mounted in such a way it could just be folded back when not in use and could very easily be removed and stowed below.
Here's a link to what I posted on another forum. I have one on my Hunter 26 too, but it has standing headroom.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1282
Here's a link to what I posted on another forum. I have one on my Hunter 26 too, but it has standing headroom.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1282
sailrite has videos on how to make your own bimini and curtains. Curtains are great for a lot of reasons. However, given the size I'm thinking a boom shade at anchor and a generous mitten full of sunscreen and a good hat while under sail would be a more cost effective option.
I think you hit the nail on the head Bill, a bimini will be too restrictive space wise and cost wise.
When we get below 2 knots on a hot day the bimini goes up and the motor goes on. After many years of not having one, our friends just put a bimini on their Compac 23, they would never go without now. Look on ebay or look around your area, we have a surplus place near us that has a hundred inexpensive biminis at the start of the season for great prices. Why reinvent the wheel?
As it is said: go big or go home! I have a similar dodger-bimini without the sides and wouldn't be without it. Shade on hot days, shelter from rain, extra living space other than below decks, all this with a 20 minute setup time. What's not to like? G.
Some other things to check while you are checking out the boom height
clearance for winch handles. Nothing so irratating as the curtian interfering with a full turn on the winch.
Getting in and out through the seams in the curtians. gota plan this or suffer the consequences. Pretty easy when at the dock but can get dicy while under sail and heeled over.
window location for sail trim (and possably sail hoisting). Don't forget to check the first mates view angle. My short wife could not see anything but the boom end when at the helm on our old bimini.
More of a construction note, the curtians that round the corner from the forward side to the sides (usually triangular) should be included as a seperate item or as part of the sides so that when they roll up they stick out forward. Incorporating them into the forward curtians will cause them to stick out athwartships and get in the way when going forward. Not an issue if you have a dodger with no curtians.
How will the lines get through the curtians.
clearance for winch handles. Nothing so irratating as the curtian interfering with a full turn on the winch.
Getting in and out through the seams in the curtians. gota plan this or suffer the consequences. Pretty easy when at the dock but can get dicy while under sail and heeled over.
window location for sail trim (and possably sail hoisting). Don't forget to check the first mates view angle. My short wife could not see anything but the boom end when at the helm on our old bimini.
More of a construction note, the curtians that round the corner from the forward side to the sides (usually triangular) should be included as a seperate item or as part of the sides so that when they roll up they stick out forward. Incorporating them into the forward curtians will cause them to stick out athwartships and get in the way when going forward. Not an issue if you have a dodger with no curtians.
How will the lines get through the curtians.
all my lines run on the cabin's roof so at least that part is easy, what worries me if the fact that I trailer her and I worry the bimini will be in the way for raising/lowering the mast, can't imagine with a dodger, unless I make a cutout in the center of the dodger
I trailer my boat with the bimini folded down so it doesn't add any time to set-up. I fold it forward for trailering and aft for when I want it out-of-the-way while on the water. While it is true that there is no standing headroom it folds down in seconds so it's not a problem. We love ours. I even know a few people who use biminis on their 19 foot Potters.
I bought a P165 and had it for 2 months until I decided to buy a slip and get an O'Day 26" but I put a Bimini on the 165 and it worked great. Cost was $300 for a Carter but it was worth it. I did install 24" slides in also so I could bring it all the way over the companionway and then all the way back over the entire cockpit. It laid down just fine on the stern rail. It seemed to work good even though I never sailed the boat so the new owner got the enjoyment of it. Getting ready to install another Bimini but much bigger on the O'day. Long story short, I think a Bimini on any size tub is worth it. 
Yes, I can totally agree! I moved to http://sabbiabeachcondos.com/location/sabbia-beach-location-map/ two years ago and this is a must have in Florida! For sure it has to be comfortable too because otherwise why would you want to spend hours on your boat! Crouching in is okay, as you are saying! I guess you also have to try out different possibilities, maybe test them with people you know and then chose whatever you feel most comfortable with and for sure what is working for your situation.
Anyways there is no best solution fitting for everybody you always have to consider the circumstances!
The B323 is a bit roomier, but, still I put a zipper along the front flap of the bimini. I have an awning I zip to this. The awning is as wide as the bimini, and extends over the top of the dodger and extends a foot in front of it. Along the front ege is an awning pole almost as wide as the beam of the boat. The pole is screwed so it does not collapse. With an attachment line on each end of the pole, I can raise the front end of the awning to act as a scoop to funnel the breeze into the cockpit. Rain? Lower the front end and tie to lifelines. I can sail with the awning up. This past weekend I was the only boat in the raft with a dry cockpit, so I was the party boat for 12.
