we have never been happy with bimini on our Oceanis 37. The dodger works well and provides good protection but also we can put the whole thing down or just the middle section. We need maximum sun/rain protection in the cockpit while maintaining good visibility of the sails. At sea we would like to be able to be dry in the cockpit so that we need to seal off the gap between the bimini and dodger. However we do not want to move the bimini back and have a removable filler as this would have to be removed to put the dodger down and there would be less sun protection in the cockpit. I'd be interested to see pictures of anyone else's solution to the problem. Thanks.
Design for a new bimini
- Thread starter S4iln
- Start date
I did not like the OEM (locally made for AYS) design for my B323. I made my own Bimini/dodger/"awning" instead of the $5200 OEM price. The bimini has zippers on the flaps that hang off the fore and aft bows. The rear zipper holds a panel that comes down to the lifeline. The front zipper connects an awning that is the width of the boat, and goes as far forward as the traveler allows. That is about 8 inches in front of the front dodger bow. Across the front of the awning is a pocket for an awning pole that holds the blue canvas forward, and as wide as the boat.
1/4 inch lines from the end of the pole can go to a number of places, depending on how you want to use it. When not moving, I go outside the shrounds, then in to cleats on the front of the boom. If i need the awning as an air scoop, i can raise the front as high as the boom allows- about a foot- for a scoop effect. If it is blowing or raining, i tie the pole down to the lifeline to keep the elements pretty much out of the cockpit. I can almost always keep the awning rigged when sailing. Last fall at the MRYC we had 15 in my cockpit for happy hour because I had more canvas shelter then the bigger boats. I hope the pics will post ...
1/4 inch lines from the end of the pole can go to a number of places, depending on how you want to use it. When not moving, I go outside the shrounds, then in to cleats on the front of the boom. If i need the awning as an air scoop, i can raise the front as high as the boom allows- about a foot- for a scoop effect. If it is blowing or raining, i tie the pole down to the lifeline to keep the elements pretty much out of the cockpit. I can almost always keep the awning rigged when sailing. Last fall at the MRYC we had 15 in my cockpit for happy hour because I had more canvas shelter then the bigger boats. I hope the pics will post ...
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Thanks Ron for your quick response. I shall certainly give your ideas some thought. Your cockpit looks really snug! I'd be a bit worried about visibility but may be able to modify it to improve. We've given our canvas man a "wish list" but I suspect we shall not be able to have it all.
I have a huge Bimini that covers my cockpit from stern to within 18" of the dodger. I also have a connector that I rarely use, mostly because it is not necessary - there is enough protection, and this slot is where crew stand, observe sail trim, and work lines. There is a large window over the helm. The trade off is the bulk. With 1.25" bows and large canvas are too much to fold up. I could add cross-braces between the bows, and simply unzip the canvas, leaving the frame in place, but I have never bothered. With a window over the helm, and the slot between the Bimini and dodger I have never felt the need to remove the Bimini, and I am very glad to have it's protection from sun, and rain.
Id recommend a full length bimini. It replaces the dodger with curtans that zip in to the bimini. it can also be fitted with curtans all around for a full enclosure. Each curtian is individually removable so you can customise the amount of exposure you want/need. You can see mine in my avatar and in the attached photo first is looking aft with the 3 stern curtans rolled up, second is looking forward with two curtans down and the center one rolled up, 3rd is looking aft with two down and center curtan up, and the 4th is my first mate doing needy things for us in the companyon way compleatly under the bimini. also note the windows in the bimini proper that allow you to see the sail. There are also three curtans on each side.
Thanks everyone for great replies and photos. Bill, your set up looks fantastic. What material have you used for the windows - they look very clear. Also, how does the Bimini attach to the dodger? Having already sent such wonderful photos, would it be asking too much to ask if you have one taken from the outside ie side on of you boat and perhaps one of the join between dodger and Bimini so that I can see if it would work for us. If not possible, please do not worry as you have already been a great help. Thanks.
Bill, I should also have asked if you can put the dodger down when not required or fold back the front of the bimini to see the stars at night? Thanks.
We build a lot of custom biminis every year. Your boat looks like a good candidate for a rail mount bimini, and ours do fold back and zip into their own boot. Give me a call if you're interested in discussing the possibilities and viewing our worksheet. Toll Free 877-932-7245, 9-4 Pacific.
Sorry Bill, I have just re-read your post and can see now exactly how the front of your bimini works without a dodger. This is certainly a new thought and something that we had not considered. Have you ever missed having a dodger? Is there anything you would change in your design? Do you do much blue water cruising keep it up in most conditions? Thanks.
S4iln,
I have my dodger and bimini up all the time, because the solar panel is on it and we need ultra sun protection. When we aren't sailing or motoring we have an infill piece that fits between the dodger and bimini and zips in position. A longer bimini like the standard Beneteau euro version would be nice, but then you can't see how the main is setting when it is up. Pics attached at Rangitoto Island NZ. mid winter.
Cam
I have my dodger and bimini up all the time, because the solar panel is on it and we need ultra sun protection. When we aren't sailing or motoring we have an infill piece that fits between the dodger and bimini and zips in position. A longer bimini like the standard Beneteau euro version would be nice, but then you can't see how the main is setting when it is up. Pics attached at Rangitoto Island NZ. mid winter.
Cam
Thanks Mechman. Do you mean that they make a larger bimini for Beneteaus in Europe? What we have looks very similar to yours but we added a back panel to increase the shade. However it has never been very satisfactory due mainly to rather shoddy workmanship. We had wanted to put the flexible solar panels on it but the fabric used was too flimsy so the panels are on the main part of the bimini. We found while at sea that we needed/liked to have more weather protection and had difficulty working out how to fill in the gap between the bimini and dodger. It was suggested that we move the existing bimini aft, get rid of the back part and put a zipped filler between dodger and bimini. We like to put the dodger right down in fine weather. If we put a filler in and then put the dodger down, there will be much less sun protection in the cockpit than we have now so that will not do. That's why I'm interested in Bill's design but it would mean getting rid of the dodger so it's a big decision!
While I don't have a dodger proper the three curtans in front and two forward ones on each side do form a didger of sorts. We use them in that fashion. Really nice to be able to take down parts to control the amount of "chilly morning breeze" that comes through.
we use the standard sail rite recommended plastic window material, it is about 15 years old in this picture so you do get what you pay for.
We do keep the bimini up most of the time. Have a place on deck (bigger boats can get away with this easier) to stargaze with the Admiral also the cockpit seats don't lend them selves to sleeping on in the 40.5 due to a helm clearance
Our configuration has two double bails, and straps on 4 corners to hold everything in place. The only thing I don't like (but don't experience much) is the forward bail does not quite clear the companionway when you take the bimini down.
we use the standard sail rite recommended plastic window material, it is about 15 years old in this picture so you do get what you pay for.
We do keep the bimini up most of the time. Have a place on deck (bigger boats can get away with this easier) to stargaze with the Admiral also the cockpit seats don't lend them selves to sleeping on in the 40.5 due to a helm clearance
Our configuration has two double bails, and straps on 4 corners to hold everything in place. The only thing I don't like (but don't experience much) is the forward bail does not quite clear the companionway when you take the bimini down.
One other thing that we fixed when we built our new replacement bimini was the closure for the split backstay. the original had a zipper with two slides. This was always a PITA trying to get the zipper started when putting up the bimini as everything is tight when you get to that point. We changed that to a lacing with lots of gromets. Now we just rove the line through the gromets and pull the line tight. Much easier!
This year we made but screens for the 12, 3, 6, and 9 oclock curtains and are looking forward to having a breeze and no bugs when we close her up for the night.
Any design should also address winch clearance
This year we made but screens for the 12, 3, 6, and 9 oclock curtains and are looking forward to having a breeze and no bugs when we close her up for the night.
Any design should also address winch clearance
My picture and writeup in post #2, I forgot to say the awning rolls up around the awning pole and rests on top of the bimini when not inuse. The awning, when unrolled, can also be brought back aft under the bimin to block out the morning sun.
The problem I have is not so much with the dodger, but with a bimini. I can extend the dodger beneath the boom to the end perhaps, then I have a problem: I have to have more height to stand at the helm because being 6'7" I am looking right at the end of the boom so I need additional head clearance. Consequently, I have not come up with a good way to design a connecter between the dodger and the bimini. Probably nobody else has encounters this.