Ideas for cockpit bimini that can be used while sailing.

[reefmagnet]

Hi All,

My Vega has the factory option camping cover for the cockpit, but this can't be used whilst sailing with the main up as it interferes with the mainsheet. It could possibly be modified to allow the mainsheet to pass through, but then it may not tension up properly and/or leak like a sieve in the rain.

Living within the tropics, the sun can be brutal so I'm looking for ideas on a simple bimini arrangement that will allow cockpit shade whilst sailing. Can anyone help with ideas?

Cheers - Jeff.

 

[kbobsky]

Hi,
I've thought about this as well, but it really is pretty difficult to setup, as the boom is quite low.

Maybe extend the dodger somehow? Attach some supports to the dodger and use those to support the minimi (mini bimini!)

M

 

[tim_klynn]

I think these guys had a bimini rigged: Wee Happy For Sale | The Adventures of Capt'n K & Lala
You can probably wander through their blog and see some photos of it. -Tim
________________________________
From: Mikko kbobsky@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 1:43 AM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Ideas for cockpit bimini that can be used while sailing.



Hi,
I've thought about this as well, but it really is pretty difficult to setup, as the boom is quite low.

Maybe extend the dodger somehow? Attach some supports to the dodger and use those to support the minimi (mini bimini!)

M

 

[pjacobs55]

Have you thought of mid-boom sheeting? Put a "horse" across the aft end of the hatch garage, and run the lines through to the cockpit.
Check out messages 17149, 15233, 12959.
I did a Lancer 25 like this: http://www3.telus.net/sailing/traveller3.jpg
It's been done, but seems to be a bit controversial!
Peter
www.sintacha.com

 

[brockhaus77]

For what it's worth (not much, I'm afraid - and much belated), I have a "generic" bimini (single "leg" attached to the deck, one rigid and two hinged frames that can pivot forward to unfold the bimini) installed on my Vega. It does interfere with the (standard) end-boom sheeting, so while hard to the wind, it is folded back (and I wear a hat). However, in Virginia I only get really hot when the winds are light and from astern - but once the sail is out by 45 degrees or more, I can unfold the bimini and sit in the shade. (The dodger also helps somewhat if you sit forward in the cockpit).

Sebastian - VegaLyra (1060)