Has anyone raised their boom for a Bimini?

Sep 30, 2013
3,595
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
I'd like to talk to someone who has installed a new gooseneck fitting to raise the boom higher. We will be sailing in the tropics, and the Admiral wants SHADE. The boom only needs to go about 8" higher, and I'm willing to give up a little speed. In the tradewinds, I expect to sail reefed a lot of the time anyway.I could also just raise the aft end of the boom and leave the gooseneck where it is, so I'd be interested in talking about that also. We will be having a new mainsail built anyway, so no problem with sail shape.
 
Nov 4, 2016
62
Gene, I put a bimini on my "Bucanero" (827) last year and it's the best thing I ever did. I sail off Louisiana mainly on Lake Pontchartrain and it can be REAL hot. The bimini is outstanding. I didn't have to raise the boom but a few inches from it's standard setting as I used a 48 inch bimini. If you go to my facebook page you can see some photos (Harold Kearsley). I got the hardware used and very reasonable and the new cloth from ebay as I recall. In total it cost me about $80 including getting the straps online. My admiral loves it too. Hal
 
Dec 14, 2013
50
Albin Marin Vega 27 Venice
Hello Harold,Very interesting photos of the bimini. I sail my Vega on the Mediterranean during summer and the sun and the heat demand such a bimini as a survival strategy (I need up sailing during night along the Greek coast to avoid the strong daily sun...). I am looking for something like yours. Could you share also the other bimini measurements (width and length) and detailed photos?Fair winds,Marco Baldan Vega 3339 - Spray
 
Apr 12, 2016
102
Thanks - I like it, Harold! But I want a Bimini I can stand up under, and the boom is gonna have to go up a full 8" for that to happen.I'm guessing your boom is on a track, and can be raised/lowered at will? We have a roller reefing boom with a fixed gooseneck. In a perfect world, I'd like for ours to be on a track. Then the boom could be lowered in foul weather, for less heeling.I second what Marco said ... I'd love to see any more pics, or hear any more details you might have.
 

mphalv

.
Sep 29, 2001
195
Hi Gene. We raised our boom about 10" at the gooseneck fitting many years ago, not to install a bimini, but to have a taller spray hood, and also not to worry so much about the boom smacking our head while the main was reefed. We have never regretted it. The small bit of sail area we lost has not made any difference, because we are reefed more often than not anyway.
Melanie Halvachs

V1826 Double Fantasy

Holden, Maine
 
Jan 28, 2001
694
Marco, if I may ask? Where are you located? We are currently in Romania and will be in Athens from the 19th to the 23rd. WaltFrom: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Marco Baldan africanmarco@... [AlbinVega] AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
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Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Has anyone raised their boom for a Bimini?



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Hello Harold,

Very interesting photos of the bimini. I sail my Vega on the Mediterranean during summer and the sun and the heat demand such a bimini as a survival strategy (I need up sailing during night along the Greek coast to avoid the strong daily sun...). I am
looking for something like yours. Could you share also the other bimini measurements (width and length) and detailed photos?Fair winds,
Marco Baldan Vega 3339 - Spray
 
Dec 14, 2013
50
Albin Marin Vega 27 Venice
A bit far...The Spray is at home, near Venice but I work in the Middle East (based in Lebanon) for the Red Cross and have not been sailing her since 2015. I don't think I will have holidays long enough to put her back into the water before 2020.I could, nevertheless, give you some advice about sailing around the Peloponnese as I did for 3 years...;-)
 
Jan 28, 2001
694
Hi Marco, We'd love to do a day charter while in Athens. Neither my wife nor I have ever been t the Med or the Agean. Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Thanks, WaltFrom: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Marco Baldan africanmarco@... [AlbinVega] AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2018 10:46 AM
To: walt judy brown allore bestvega@... [AlbinVega]
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Has anyone raised their boom for a Bimini?




A bit far...
The Spray is at home, near Venice but I work in the Middle East (based in Lebanon) for the Red Cross and have not been sailing her since 2015. I don't think I will have holidays long enough to put her back into the water before 2020.
I could, nevertheless, give you some advice about sailing around the Peloponnese as I did for 3 years...;-)
 
Dec 14, 2013
50
Albin Marin Vega 27 Venice
Hello Walt,I am not an expert about chartering boats in Greece as I never did. What is fairly unique and positive about Greece for sailors is that most ports and marinas are free of charge (or were up to 2015), although without any service (toilet, water, electricity). In some marinas fresh water is available along the piers. After 2015, Cost Guard authorities started to claim a fee, still very small, in the range of 3-5 euros, from what I heard. A new tax is planned for this year but still much less of the sums we pay in Italy (marinas) or Croatia (entry tax plus marinas).Likewise Italian marinas, some Greek marinas/ports may be crowded during summertime in the main touristic areas, including around Athens.If you plan to sail in the Aegean sea during summer, you have to factor the famous Meltemi wind which may blow above 40 knots. The coast along the Peloponnese is fairly protected and if you plan to go south, more manageable. My personal experience in the Aegean is limited to Aegina Island (Perdika), Hydra bays, Monemvasia (Jefira port) and Kithira Island (Agia Pelagia). I liked the most Jefira port as fairly protected, almost free from charges, with fresh water available along the pier, outside mass tourism routes and close to the Monemvasia gem.Sailing from Italy, I usually enter Greece in Corfu where I stay at the Corfu city mandraki: the small marina close to the old Venetian castle, near the old city, a fairly unique location and a pleasant little marina.Then I sail south through Paxos (Lakka bay), Kefalonia (Fiskardo), Zakinthos (Agios Nikolaos - Vromy Bay). Zakinthos is the southern limit for mass tourism. From here on, is the paradise for the sailors who prefer quiet bays/ports. South of Zakinthos I usually stop at Pilos (Navarino Bay) and Porto Kajo, a pleasant, protected bay on the tip of the central "finger" of the Peloponnese.Fair winds,marco
 
May 30, 2006
1,075
Lol. After i read the word FREE, i blacked out. "Marco Baldan africanmarco@... [AlbinVega]" AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com wrote:





Hello Walt,I am not an expert about chartering boats in Greece as I never did. What is fairly unique and positive about Greece for sailors is that most ports and marinas are free of charge (or were up to 2015), although without any service (toilet, water, electricity). In some marinas fresh water is available along the piers. After 2015, Cost Guard authorities started to claim a fee, still very small, in the range of 3-5 euros, from what I heard. A new tax is planned for this year but still much less of the sums we pay in Italy (marinas) or Croatia (entry tax plus marinas).Likewise Italian marinas, some Greek marinas/ports may be crowded during summertime in the main touristic areas, including around Athens.If you plan to sail in the Aegean sea during summer, you have to factor the famous Meltemi wind which may blow above 40 knots. The coast along the Peloponnese is fairly protected and if you plan to go south, more manageable. My personal experience in the Aegean is limited to Aegina Island (Perdika), Hydra bays, Monemvasia (Jefira port) and Kithira Island (Agia Pelagia). I liked the most Jefira port as fairly protected, almost free from charges, with fresh water available along the pier, outside mass tourism routes and close to the Monemvasia gem.Sailing from Italy, I usually enter Greece in Corfu where I stay at the Corfu city mandraki: the small marina close to the old Venetian castle, near the old city, a fairly unique location and a pleasant little marina.Then I sail south through Paxos (Lakka bay), Kefalonia (Fiskardo), Zakinthos (Agios Nikolaos - Vromy Bay). Zakinthos is the southern limit for mass tourism. From here on, is the paradise for the sailors who prefer quiet bays/ports. South of Zakinthos I usually stop at Pilos (Navarino Bay) and Porto Kajo, a pleasant, protected bay on the tip of the central "finger" of the Peloponnese.Fair winds,marco
 
Apr 12, 2016
102
Well guys, it seems I was worried about NOTHING as far as how I would physically reattach the boom at a higher point. All I have to do is go to Rig-Rite (or other such place, I'm open for suggestions??) and buy a "ggoseneck slide" and a toggle. Insert slide in the sail track, attach toggle to slide, attach gooseneck to toggle, boom, done. Good grief, to think I was worried about this!!
 
May 30, 2006
1,075
Or wear a hat while sailing and put up the bimini when motoring or while at anchor"gene_neill@... [AlbinVega]" AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com wrote:




Well guys, it seems I was worried about NOTHING as far as how I would physically reattach the boom at a higher point. All I have to do is go to Rig-Rite (or other such place, I'm open for suggestions??) and buy a "ggoseneck slide" and a toggle. Insert slide in the sail track, attach toggle to slide, attach gooseneck to toggle, boom, done. Good grief, to think I was worried about this!!
 
May 30, 2006
1,075
Unless your plans are to have sails up for days or weeks. In this case, buy the kit."gene_neill@... [AlbinVega]" AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com wrote:




Well guys, it seems I was worried about NOTHING as far as how I would physically reattach the boom at a higher point. All I have to do is go to Rig-Rite (or other such place, I'm open for suggestions??) and buy a "ggoseneck slide" and a toggle. Insert slide in the sail track, attach toggle to slide, attach gooseneck to toggle, boom, done. Good grief, to think I was worried about this!!
 
Nov 4, 2016
62
Hey folks, I've set up 6 photos on my bimini arrangement on Bucanero. You should be able to see them but if you have a problem, send me an email and I'll send the photos as an attachment. Hal (email halandcindy@...)
 
Nov 4, 2016
62
My pleasure! If anyone needs anything else just let me know. This group has helped me in the past so I'm VERY happy to return the favor! You folks ROCK! Hal