How to cut Mainsail on 28.5 for Bimini

[jamescyu]

I am installing a custom bimini on my H28.5 with 6 foot 1 inch headroom. I got a sail maker to cut the foot part of the mainsail. I wonder what is the best way to cut and still maintain the effectiveness of the mainsail. Do you need to move up the gooseneck of the boom on the mast ? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Jim

 

[Ed Schenck]

Are you saying that you already shortened the luff? Or that you found someone who will? I sail on a friend's 28.5 and understand your problem as I am 6'1". We just fold the front half back when sailing. But not the best option.

There have been discussions here about raising the gooseneck. Some have done it. I don't think I have seen or heard of reshaping the sail so that the leech is shorter. This would raise the aft end of the boom. You would certainly lose less sail area that way.

On my H37C I took a different approach. I kept the aft and middle bows of the bimini at about 6'4". But the forward most bow is much lower such that I have to duck in and out. It will be interesting to see what kind of advice is forthcoming.

 

[s sauer]

28.5 Bimini

Ordinarilly I'd suggest you check in on www.huntertwentyeightfive.com, but the site has been compromised. However, the Gallery section is still working. Check out the photos of Celebration II, Mainsail and Bimini.
I had the sailmaker cut my new main such that the leech was shortened by about 8". The hoist, luff, gooseneck and boom are untouched, and I have about 6'-1" under the center bow of the Bimini and maybe an inch less on the forward bow. We added some roach to the main to off set the wedge cut out just above the boom. Performance is unaffected and I usually sail with the Bimini up, unless we're serriously racing. I have a velcrow attached cover over a 12'x12" sail trim window in the center of the Bimini and two zippers to fit the Bimini around the backstay. The custom Bimini was made by North Sails, Annapolis for about $1250 in the good old days of 2003.