binini for a 25 again

[Ric Shultz]

Thanks for all the feedback and photo (Don, are you on the web site payroll? You sure are alot of help) on the bimini. The only thing I don't understand is where it folds up to when it is stored and how do you work around the backstay.Ric

 

[Don Evans]

More Bimini Stuff

Thanks Ric and your most welcome. Its been an honour to help my fellow sailors, as many have helped me over the years. Your right about that backstay. The bimini has to account for that. When the bimini is sized, a cut is made in the fabric, out to the stay, from one side, and a zipper is attached by the canvas maker, out to a hole that allows the backstay to pierce the bimini. The zipper reseals the bimini once the frame and material is fit. The hole (about 1" diameter) in the bimini is chafe guarded with a leather collar.As far as storing it, again that backstay is in the way, so the best you can retract the bimini is to fold the front and middle support bars back against the backstay. That would allow the bimini to retract about 2/3's. I do this and hold the bimini retracted using a couple of bungee cords. Don

 

[Ric Shultz]

Another idea

Thanks again Don. Could you just put the hole in the bimini and run the backstay through it when you put the mast up? That way you wouldn't need the zipper.Does the Bimini get in the way of putting on your sail boot?

 

[Don Evans]

Zipper

I guess you could do away with it, but I think it is convenient and safer to remove the bimini while the backstay is on. I put the mast up and connect all stays first before anything else goes on deck. The bimini would be in the way while sighting the mast from the cockpit. I like the bimini out of the way before I lower the mast anyways. Releasing the backstay and worrying about keeping the mast up while you then remove the bimini seems counterproductive to me. The zipper is a common feature to allow this.The bimini does not interfere with putting on the mainsail cover. You can reach the end of the boom by standing on the bridge deck and tieing the end of the cover. Talk it over with whom ever is going to make your bimini for their opinion. Cheers.Don