Bimini

[Gary Grant]

We are in the process of installing a custom built bimini on our Hunter 320. We are looking for the best solution for dealing with the spaces where the traveler lines go through the arch. We have already installed canvas forward and aft of the arch, but are left with these holes. Has anyone taken a similar approach and, if so, what solution did you use?

 

[Larry and Carol Schroeder]

T-TOP WORKS GREAT

We took delivery of our 320 in April and were kind of bummed when we found out it had a "t-top" type bimini, and is a permanent type (doesn't come down). Hunter only made 2 of them (??? why) but the other guy who has one is in Ohio. Now we love it! Looks great on the boat, too. It is flat and goes almost forward to the custom dodger we had made a few months ago. We are tall and we can easily walk under it comfortably. If you want, the forward portion of it (from the traveler) can be unzipped. Don't know why they didn't make more of them. The only complaint is that the one made for our boat ended up on the other guy's boat, and I guess we have his. This created a problem for installation, and we're not happy with that part of it.However, if anyone out there is thinking about one----we think it's a great design.

 

[Stephen Baltes]

Bimini on my 320 is GREAT

I took delivery of my 2001 320 in March and it came with a great bimini. Seems like it was made by St. Augustine Canvas, in dove grey sunbrella, and both forward and aft sections can be unzipped from the Arch, rolled up and enclosed by the matching zippered covers. The forward section goes to about even with the companionway while the aft section is even with the back of the stern rail seats. Very good size, great height, aturdy and it stretches nice and tight. Looks so good I seldom take it down!My only concern is about the window which is sewn into forward section. Being in front of the arch it does me no good in viewing the wind vane or main sail shape from behind the wheel. Also, the window has a nice flap with velcro to cover the window - only problem is the flap is on top! Impossible to reach without climbing the arch! Would have been nicer if it was on the underside.I'm curious what you mean by "T-Tops, and why/how it is premanently mounted. Also, today's pics of the "new" 326 show a dark blue bimini in place - I thought that Hunter was going to the Dove Grey from now on? Or maybe it's a choice? Now that I have it, I much prefer the grey as it coordinates with the deck and the furling main and jib. Whenever I get cockpit cushions they'll be dove grey as well.