Boom height for bimini

[Randall]

We sail in south Texas, so we need SHADE! I want to install a fixed bimini with enough standing headroom for average height folks (5'9"). The previous owner had the boom set low on the mast track-- about 8" too low to clear a custom bimini. However, I can loosen the gooseneck and hoist the main all the way up & gain most, if not all, of the boom clearance I need. What is the most efficient boom height? Will maximum hoist raise the center of effort too high and hurt performance, or is it designed to be hauled all the way up? The H25 pictured on this site appears to have the boom at max hoist, & looks to have plenty of clearance for a bimini. I'm fixin' to order a new Doyle loose-foot main with two full length upper battens. If I still need more bimini clearance, how much harm would I do to performance by having the main cut 4-6" shorter? Seems to me that a slightly shorter loose-foot would perform as well as a standard height bolt-foot, unless the higher center of effort induces too much heel. What's the solution? Randall

 

[Bill Bell]

Moved Mine 15 Inches

On our Legend 37, we moved the fixed gooseneck up 15 inches and re-cut the main. We didn't notice any differences in sailing. Not any more tender and still hit hull speed easily. This did give a lot of head room under the bimini. Before raising the boom, it would hit me in the side of the head while standing in the cockpit. After moving the boom I had over 6 inches of clearance under the bimini. I'm 6'1". Bill

 

[s sauer]

Another Option

I had the same problemwith my original Main on my 28.5, so when I finally replaced the sail I had a new one cut with the clew raised higher by about 6-8 inches; the gooseneck remained in place; the hoist was unaffected; we put just a little more roach curve in the leech and we just clear the new bimini under sail.You may be able to try the same effect if you have a flattening reef in your main as they are typically about 10" above the boom and take out the same wedge shape. I am assuming you could have the clew re-cut and reinforced on an existing sail; going to a loose footed design. Be aware that the 'original reef point will not have changed, so a reefed main will likely interfere with the Bimini.The shade and a new main for an older boat were two great improvements for us.

 

[Marc Honey]

Recut/replacement main

Similar to previous 28.5 owner's post, I had a small "wedge" cut out of my original main while having it recut to full batten/loose footed and it gave me approx. 6 inches additional clearance at aft end of boom. Since our Hunters tend to be "tender" in higher winds, I wouldn't worry about it. If your having a new main made, a little more roach would more than make up for slightly shorter height.