I have been considering raising the boom, shortening the height of the sail by about one foot to allow for a taller/higher height bimini. While standing at the wheel of my 1991 Hunter 30, the end of the boom is right in front of my face, I am 6'2", I would guess the bottom of the boom to be about 5'3 or so from the floor. My question is concerning adding a bimini. Has anyone raised the boom and sail to accomodate the installation of a taller in height bimini for standing at the wheel, or should I just leave the boom where it is and have a lower bimini and stoop while under it and sit for steering all the time. The next question is, would a taller bimini (6'2 or 6'3) look funny on the 30 or is that sorta normal? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Larry
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We Moved up 15" on a 37
Gave us standing headroom under the bimini. Cut off the original sail foot. Lost little if any speed. Replaced the main years later with one cut for the mast and boom. Bill Bell
Gave us standing headroom under the bimini. Cut off the original sail foot. Lost little if any speed. Replaced the main years later with one cut for the mast and boom. Bill Bell
Depends on your needs
We had a bimini installed on Liberty, our H33, last year. Rather then think about going under the boom, we brought the new bimini to the end of the boom, and high enough so that my 6 ft frame could stand behind the wheel. We were surprised how big an area that is. Granted, we do not have shade all the way forward in the cockpit, but it is adequate for my wife and I. Besides, if we both really want shade, we both can sit behind the wheel and enjoy each other's company while sailing. The future may hold buying a dodger and a fly. That way we can shade the entire cockpit when dockside. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
We had a bimini installed on Liberty, our H33, last year. Rather then think about going under the boom, we brought the new bimini to the end of the boom, and high enough so that my 6 ft frame could stand behind the wheel. We were surprised how big an area that is. Granted, we do not have shade all the way forward in the cockpit, but it is adequate for my wife and I. Besides, if we both really want shade, we both can sit behind the wheel and enjoy each other's company while sailing. The future may hold buying a dodger and a fly. That way we can shade the entire cockpit when dockside. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
I'm gonna do it.
I am having the same problem as you. I'm 6'3" and the height of my bimini is adequate for standing room, however, the boom does hit the bimini. I am having eight inches cut from the clew to nothing at the mast. If I raced I guess this would bother me but I don't. Good luck.
I am having the same problem as you. I'm 6'3" and the height of my bimini is adequate for standing room, however, the boom does hit the bimini. I am having eight inches cut from the clew to nothing at the mast. If I raced I guess this would bother me but I don't. Good luck.
personal priorities
I think the type of sailing you do is the biggest factor. I have an 81 H30, and I am 6' tall. I have to stoop just a little bit when standing under the bimini. I don't even open the bimini unless I am off for a multi-day cruise, so it isn't worth the money and possible sacrifice of performance to alter my mainsail to accomodate shade. Also, when I am cruising, and spending all day in the cockpit, I don't want to stand all day. But if it will greatly enhance your sailing, then go for it and move it up. I also like what one of the other response had to say about a smaller bimini that stops short of the boom, I have seen that on a lot of boats. And a final throw in- I added a bimini to my first boat while I was cruising and getting sunbaked, and it just made it under the boom after some adjusting. Before the adjustment, I sailed with just the head sail and used the topping lift (it was adjustable) to raise the boom out of the way. At that point shade was more important to me. When I really needed the main, I folding back the bimini and loaded on the sunblock.
I think the type of sailing you do is the biggest factor. I have an 81 H30, and I am 6' tall. I have to stoop just a little bit when standing under the bimini. I don't even open the bimini unless I am off for a multi-day cruise, so it isn't worth the money and possible sacrifice of performance to alter my mainsail to accomodate shade. Also, when I am cruising, and spending all day in the cockpit, I don't want to stand all day. But if it will greatly enhance your sailing, then go for it and move it up. I also like what one of the other response had to say about a smaller bimini that stops short of the boom, I have seen that on a lot of boats. And a final throw in- I added a bimini to my first boat while I was cruising and getting sunbaked, and it just made it under the boom after some adjusting. Before the adjustment, I sailed with just the head sail and used the topping lift (it was adjustable) to raise the boom out of the way. At that point shade was more important to me. When I really needed the main, I folding back the bimini and loaded on the sunblock.
Did it on my 79 Hunter 30
I stand at six foot and have a bimini that I can stand at the wheel. I had to re-drill the slide to move the boom up about six to eight inches and then drill a couple of additional holes to accept the boom when reefed. Just make sure you pull the mainsail to the top of the stick and see where your boom rests on the slide. This is the point where you attach the boom. Then have a large pipe cutter and cut the bimini poles shorter to allow the boom to swing without chaffing the top of the bimini. Remember to purchase a window for the bimini or you will not see your windex at the top of the mast. If you want a large jpeg of mine send an "e" to my email address at imcgain@griffinmail.com Good luck Ian
I stand at six foot and have a bimini that I can stand at the wheel. I had to re-drill the slide to move the boom up about six to eight inches and then drill a couple of additional holes to accept the boom when reefed. Just make sure you pull the mainsail to the top of the stick and see where your boom rests on the slide. This is the point where you attach the boom. Then have a large pipe cutter and cut the bimini poles shorter to allow the boom to swing without chaffing the top of the bimini. Remember to purchase a window for the bimini or you will not see your windex at the top of the mast. If you want a large jpeg of mine send an "e" to my email address at imcgain@griffinmail.com Good luck Ian
I have to agree with Brian
If you are a cruiser and not concerned about performance then cut the sail to fit. My first boat had the main shortened by the previous owner. But I still sailed with the bimini back because I could not read the sail or telltales with the bimini forward. ted
If you are a cruiser and not concerned about performance then cut the sail to fit. My first boat had the main shortened by the previous owner. But I still sailed with the bimini back because I could not read the sail or telltales with the bimini forward. ted
A simple matter
Larry, I have a 88 30 and am 6'2". Because I cruise a lot of the time and already had several skin cancers removed, the bimini was not an option. I had a sailmaker remove a wedge section from the foot of the main to allow for clearance over a standing height bimini. If there is any reduction if sailing performance, I have not noticed. I suspect that the windage from the bimini is a much bigger factor going upwind. Also a good time to visit the loose footed main issue. As for looks. Yes the tall bimini on a 30 ft boat does look a little odd, but these modern sail boats do not look like Hinkleys to begin with. A second issue is it gets the boom out of your face and safely overhead unless you are standing on the bridge deck. The boom location is a killer in the standard 30. As you say just about mouth height for us vertically challenged people. I stopped mine short of covering all the bridge deck so I can stand at the companionway entrance. I just have to duck as I turn around to go aft to the wheel. No big deal. Sure beats stooping over all the time.
Larry, I have a 88 30 and am 6'2". Because I cruise a lot of the time and already had several skin cancers removed, the bimini was not an option. I had a sailmaker remove a wedge section from the foot of the main to allow for clearance over a standing height bimini. If there is any reduction if sailing performance, I have not noticed. I suspect that the windage from the bimini is a much bigger factor going upwind. Also a good time to visit the loose footed main issue. As for looks. Yes the tall bimini on a 30 ft boat does look a little odd, but these modern sail boats do not look like Hinkleys to begin with. A second issue is it gets the boom out of your face and safely overhead unless you are standing on the bridge deck. The boom location is a killer in the standard 30. As you say just about mouth height for us vertically challenged people. I stopped mine short of covering all the bridge deck so I can stand at the companionway entrance. I just have to duck as I turn around to go aft to the wheel. No big deal. Sure beats stooping over all the time.
Another way.
Being cheap and having a new North main I was not about to cut the sail to move the boom. I am over 6' and have lots of headroom on my H37C. I made my three-bow bimini from a Sailrite kit. The aft bow is 2' behind the backstay and the middle bow is right at the backstay. The foremost bow is well forward, probably 4'. But it is lower, low enough that the boom just about touches it except when sailing. So I duck a little when going out from under but have standup room from two feet in front of the wheel to the back.
Being cheap and having a new North main I was not about to cut the sail to move the boom. I am over 6' and have lots of headroom on my H37C. I made my three-bow bimini from a Sailrite kit. The aft bow is 2' behind the backstay and the middle bow is right at the backstay. The foremost bow is well forward, probably 4'. But it is lower, low enough that the boom just about touches it except when sailing. So I duck a little when going out from under but have standup room from two feet in front of the wheel to the back.
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Ed, More Pictures?
Ed, A sailrite bimini is one of the projects in the near future for me. Do you happen to have a picture of your bimini from the side? It would help in determining the forward/aft placement and height of my bimini. Also any lessons learned from the sailrite kit? Did you go with the 7/8" or 1", aluminum or stainless steel? Thanks, Mark
Ed, A sailrite bimini is one of the projects in the near future for me. Do you happen to have a picture of your bimini from the side? It would help in determining the forward/aft placement and height of my bimini. Also any lessons learned from the sailrite kit? Did you go with the 7/8" or 1", aluminum or stainless steel? Thanks, Mark
BIMINI
I have a 90 H30 and just had Barrett Enclosures of Seattle build me a rail mount bimini that is 6'5" in height at the center that starts just aft of the boom and extends 43" back. If you contact John Barrfett at 1-800-282-5740, I'm sure he could send you the drawing. Jim Bessinger
I have a 90 H30 and just had Barrett Enclosures of Seattle build me a rail mount bimini that is 6'5" in height at the center that starts just aft of the boom and extends 43" back. If you contact John Barrfett at 1-800-282-5740, I'm sure he could send you the drawing. Jim Bessinger
Ed's bimini.
Here's another not very good picture that might help. The back support is about 10" ahead of the pushpit and at the same angle. I mounted the feet by drilling and tapping the toerail. This got me the most width. As you go aft to get winch handle clearance you lose width, at least on an H37C that is true. I am sorry that I did not opt for the large stainless tubing. It is like new after four summers but we are on fresh water. I know it will corrode in saltwater next year. Easily upgraded though. Also note that the middle and front bow supports are adjustable on the main support. One setscrew and you can adjust to the height you need.
Here's another not very good picture that might help. The back support is about 10" ahead of the pushpit and at the same angle. I mounted the feet by drilling and tapping the toerail. This got me the most width. As you go aft to get winch handle clearance you lose width, at least on an H37C that is true. I am sorry that I did not opt for the large stainless tubing. It is like new after four summers but we are on fresh water. I know it will corrode in saltwater next year. Easily upgraded though. Also note that the middle and front bow supports are adjustable on the main support. One setscrew and you can adjust to the height you need.
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Thanks for all the replies
Hello all respondees, I would like to tell all of you thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. I did not know if raising the boom was a normal thing or not. I think that even 6" would help me a lot. I am just a cruiser, not a racer. I like to just set back and receive all the free fuel if you know what I mean!! In the summer in Texas, the heat is almost unbearable in the middle of the day. We like to go out early in the morning or at night. The winds are very steady and not shifty at night. I can usually set a course, lock the wheel and relax and look at the lights or stars. I got caught out in a rain storm in my last sailboat. I had installed a large bimini on it covering the entire cockpit. I was glad to have it that time. I have had this boat for 3 years now and have said all along that I was going to install a dodger and a bimini. Have not been caught in a rain storm on this boat--yet but I have burned up on it a few times. In the afternoons, it is funny to watch everyone on the boat trying to shift into the sail cast shade!! Thanks again everyone.
Hello all respondees, I would like to tell all of you thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. I did not know if raising the boom was a normal thing or not. I think that even 6" would help me a lot. I am just a cruiser, not a racer. I like to just set back and receive all the free fuel if you know what I mean!! In the summer in Texas, the heat is almost unbearable in the middle of the day. We like to go out early in the morning or at night. The winds are very steady and not shifty at night. I can usually set a course, lock the wheel and relax and look at the lights or stars. I got caught out in a rain storm in my last sailboat. I had installed a large bimini on it covering the entire cockpit. I was glad to have it that time. I have had this boat for 3 years now and have said all along that I was going to install a dodger and a bimini. Have not been caught in a rain storm on this boat--yet but I have burned up on it a few times. In the afternoons, it is funny to watch everyone on the boat trying to shift into the sail cast shade!! Thanks again everyone.
No pictures Larry?
Larry, what happens when you open the post and then click on the camera? Just tried both of them here and both pictures opened right up. I could e-mail them but not sure that would help if there is something wrong with your PC. Can you open other pictures here on HOW?
Larry, what happens when you open the post and then click on the camera? Just tried both of them here and both pictures opened right up. I could e-mail them but not sure that would help if there is something wrong with your PC. Can you open other pictures here on HOW?
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