Do you have a great cockpit awning?

[David W]

It's time for us to replace our awning but I'm curious what other people have. We don't have a bimini, but it's not out of the question. Just curious to see what works for other folks. Our boat is 34 ft, circa 1978, pinched stern with tiller steering and main sheet traveller across the bridge deck.

Looking for ideas!

 

[PaulK]

We have an awning that can be hoisted by the main halyard, or which can simply lay on top of the boom when we are at anchor. Three extendable aluminum poles (like the adjustable boathooks) spread it across the breadth of the boat. Lines on their ends tie off to the lifelines or stanchions. We can slide it forward or aft a touch, as needed. It is great for shading the cockpit, cabin top, and deck 'midships, and so helps keep the cabin cooler. Note that it goes above the boom, so the sheet does not interfere with it. We have no topping lift, since we use a rigid vang. The mainsheet on our J/36 goes to a traveler in the cockpit. One thing that would improve our awning would be sides that drop down to the deck. This would help create shade when the sun gets below the yardarm, and could also help divert rain and spray if any should kick up.

 

[capta]

I've circumnavigated before biminis were common, but I'd never sail w/o one after having one. Keeps the cockpit cooler, drier and much more livable.
If you sail to windward in cold water a dodger/ bimini combo is also a really nice setup, again improving the comfort in the cockpit immeasurably. I guess your finances will determine your choices, but I would definitely go w/ a good and proper bimini at least.

 

[higgs]

If you can go with a bimini as opposed to an awning, I see no reason not to do the bimini.

 

[Joe]

With the bridgedeck traveler location, a bimini would be the ideal choice. A small roll up extension on the forward edge could connect to a dodger for continuous coverage, side curtains would convert your cockpit to another cabin.

 

[David W]

We have a great dodger and an awning that rests on the boom and runs to the back stay. We also have side curtains but more often than not we just clamp a beach towel on the sunny side.

The Bimini idea is attractive as we are also considering enclosing the cockpit to allow for year round sailing here in Canada's Gulf Islands.

 

[Ron20324]

I made my own bimini. On the forward flap I put a full-width zipper, expecting to make a filler panel to connect to the dodger. Then I saw how small the filler would be, and not of a size to do much good. I made just a rectangular panel to zip to the binimi and unroll forward as far as the mainsheet boom blocks would allow. This gave coverage the full width of the boat and can even be left up when sailing. The front edge of the awning has a regular awning pole the full width, and line from it's ends go to the shrouds or lifeline as needed. If the morning sun floods the cockpit the awning can be tucked underneath the bimini and led astern for a sun panel.

 

[Lost Parent]

We need pictures of all these awnings

 

[py26129]

Vote for Bimini no dodger

We have a bimini and no dodger as such. What we have is removable panels that are zipped & snapped in when needed. The three panels forward create the same protection as a dodger when required and when things get really crappy we zip in the rest and have a complete enclosure.

IMHO we have the best of all worlds. Full enclosure priotection when we want it and we get every bit of breeze on the hot and sunny days.

Matt

 

[David W]

With the bridgedeck traveler location, a bimini would be the ideal choice. A small roll up extension on the forward edge could connect to a dodger for continuous coverage, side curtains would convert your cockpit to another cabin.

This is one of the options we are considering. We had a new dodger built this year which includes a zipper along the top near the back for this potential.

 

[David W]

We need pictures of all these awnings

 

[David W]

We have a bimini and no dodger as such. What we have is removable panels that are zipped & snapped in when needed. The three panels forward create the same protection as a dodger when required and when things get really crappy we zip in the rest and have a complete enclosure.

IMHO we have the best of all worlds. Full enclosure priotection when we want it and we get every bit of breeze on the hot and sunny days.

Matt

Interesting setup. This is the type of "bimini" I'm thinking about because it covers more of the cockpit. We have tiller steering so we sit about 2' back from the cabin house as compared to a traditional bimini which is helpful for those with wheel steering and are at the stern while steering.

 

[zeehag]

i will be incorporating 2 boom gallows and biminis for each mast and boom so i can have sun protection and rain protection--i dont care about seas coming onto boat, as they done unless is very very bad weather---but double biminis and solar panel holders is my way i will be going.