one of my winter projects is to add a binimi to my 35.5, if any one has a photo they can post, it will help me decide on the style and type i want.
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Bimini Suggestions
Be sure to make the bimini large enough to do the job. Extend it behind the backstays to protect the helm seat and go forward enough to give shade to your guest. Also, spend the extra money to get stainless steel tubing. It last longer and a large bimini needs the additional strength. If possible attach the rear bow with SS tubing to the pulpit rail instead of nylon straps. It makes the top more rigid and stable if someone uses the frame as a hand hold (and they will). On mine, I had zippers installed on the aft and forward edge. The aft piece of cloth is used to keep the sun off your neck/back when the sun is setting behind you, and the forward piece of cloth is used to shade and prevent rain in the companion way hatch when you are anchored. It is amazing how much sun(heat)will come in without it.
Be sure to make the bimini large enough to do the job. Extend it behind the backstays to protect the helm seat and go forward enough to give shade to your guest. Also, spend the extra money to get stainless steel tubing. It last longer and a large bimini needs the additional strength. If possible attach the rear bow with SS tubing to the pulpit rail instead of nylon straps. It makes the top more rigid and stable if someone uses the frame as a hand hold (and they will). On mine, I had zippers installed on the aft and forward edge. The aft piece of cloth is used to keep the sun off your neck/back when the sun is setting behind you, and the forward piece of cloth is used to shade and prevent rain in the companion way hatch when you are anchored. It is amazing how much sun(heat)will come in without it.
Here's one.
Of the owner photos here on HOW only one has a bimini. See Related Link. My dockmate has a full enclosure on his H35.5 but I have no pictures. Being claustrophobic I am not a fan of that canvas "porch". Another source of photos is on Yacht World(http://www.yachtworld.com/). There are twenty-two 35.5s to look at.
Of the owner photos here on HOW only one has a bimini. See Related Link. My dockmate has a full enclosure on his H35.5 but I have no pictures. Being claustrophobic I am not a fan of that canvas "porch". Another source of photos is on Yacht World(http://www.yachtworld.com/). There are twenty-two 35.5s to look at.
thanks
good points, the photos about what i was looking to do, with added reinforcement for possible solar panels. this might be a dumb question for some but with the bimini up is it tricky to manuver around the frame when sailing? or do you take the top down?
good points, the photos about what i was looking to do, with added reinforcement for possible solar panels. this might be a dumb question for some but with the bimini up is it tricky to manuver around the frame when sailing? or do you take the top down?
Not sure. . .
that I catch your drift. The only frame on mine is attached to the toerail outside of the coaming and just aft of the winches. Even the straps that tension the front bow are aft of where I step out to go forward. I guess if you made it really large and went too far forward and/or used a double frame it could be in the way. It is a problem if you like to watch the windex. You can put a window in for that but it kind of defeats the purpose, lots less shade. I plan to add the analog display from my wind instrument. For now some yarn on the shrouds works when I am too lazy to get up and look out from under the bimini.
that I catch your drift. The only frame on mine is attached to the toerail outside of the coaming and just aft of the winches. Even the straps that tension the front bow are aft of where I step out to go forward. I guess if you made it really large and went too far forward and/or used a double frame it could be in the way. It is a problem if you like to watch the windex. You can put a window in for that but it kind of defeats the purpose, lots less shade. I plan to add the analog display from my wind instrument. For now some yarn on the shrouds works when I am too lazy to get up and look out from under the bimini.
maybe its the photo
but it looks like you would have to squeeze in between the forward bow and the support strap to go forward, my only worry would be in an emergency, going forward fast. also keep in mind that these questions might not be valid issues because ive never sailed a boat with a bimini. thanks ted
but it looks like you would have to squeeze in between the forward bow and the support strap to go forward, my only worry would be in an emergency, going forward fast. also keep in mind that these questions might not be valid issues because ive never sailed a boat with a bimini. thanks ted
on the cheap like me
now if you want to go on the cheap like me go to the websweeper.com i bought one with sunbrella material six ft in length for 285. you need to take a couple of measurements and i have to cut a couple of holes for the back stays but i can do that and my bride with trim them up. no zipper between the bimini and dodger but the price for material and frame i thought was very good. craig
now if you want to go on the cheap like me go to the websweeper.com i bought one with sunbrella material six ft in length for 285. you need to take a couple of measurements and i have to cut a couple of holes for the back stays but i can do that and my bride with trim them up. no zipper between the bimini and dodger but the price for material and frame i thought was very good. craig
Experiment.
I built mine from a Sailrite kit, see Related Link. There is plenty of material and length of tubing to experiment before cutting. You could be right Ted if it is brought forward enough to tie in to the dodger. In that case I would not use the straps. I would use additional tubing and make it rigid without straps. The tubing could be shorter and farther aft, out of the way. Then only the forward most bow would interfere. Or you can make it shorter and have a zip-in piece between the dodger and the bimini(I can't do that, my traveler is on the bridgedeck).
I built mine from a Sailrite kit, see Related Link. There is plenty of material and length of tubing to experiment before cutting. You could be right Ted if it is brought forward enough to tie in to the dodger. In that case I would not use the straps. I would use additional tubing and make it rigid without straps. The tubing could be shorter and farther aft, out of the way. Then only the forward most bow would interfere. Or you can make it shorter and have a zip-in piece between the dodger and the bimini(I can't do that, my traveler is on the bridgedeck).
Bimini
Hey Ted, Here's a picture of the bimini on our 85 H34. We had it built by Barrett Enclosures of Seattle. Your concerns about going forward with it up are legitimate. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of where to put your head when you're going thru, it's not bad to leave the cockpit. My main problem with sailing with it up is that you can't see the top of the mast. I can get an eyeball on the windvane if I look thru the hole where the backstay goes thru, but it's kinda a pain. Overall, I'm very happy with the bimini and the workmanship of the guys at Barrett.
Hey Ted, Here's a picture of the bimini on our 85 H34. We had it built by Barrett Enclosures of Seattle. Your concerns about going forward with it up are legitimate. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of where to put your head when you're going thru, it's not bad to leave the cockpit. My main problem with sailing with it up is that you can't see the top of the mast. I can get an eyeball on the windvane if I look thru the hole where the backstay goes thru, but it's kinda a pain. Overall, I'm very happy with the bimini and the workmanship of the guys at Barrett.
Bimini Photo and a Question For Susan
Here's a photo of the 4 bow bimini on my Hunter 34. The height is fine for a 6' tall person anywhere under the bimini. The boom never touches the bimini, but when the sail cover is on, it hangs down low enough to rub the leading edge. I usually use a spare sail tie to wrap the very end of the sail cover up a little tighter and it clears the bimini fine. Someday I'd like to add a dodger, but in NC it isn't a priority. Susan, can you tell me what the small round fitting is on your starboard transom (just outboard of your fuel vent)? Looks like one of those hand-held showers or perhaps a municipal water inlet. Thanks! Gary
Here's a photo of the 4 bow bimini on my Hunter 34. The height is fine for a 6' tall person anywhere under the bimini. The boom never touches the bimini, but when the sail cover is on, it hangs down low enough to rub the leading edge. I usually use a spare sail tie to wrap the very end of the sail cover up a little tighter and it clears the bimini fine. Someday I'd like to add a dodger, but in NC it isn't a priority. Susan, can you tell me what the small round fitting is on your starboard transom (just outboard of your fuel vent)? Looks like one of those hand-held showers or perhaps a municipal water inlet. Thanks! Gary
Attachments
Transom Fitting Answer
Gary, that's the exhaust outlet for my Diesel-fired heating system. It came with the boat, but now it's just an eyesore.
Gary, that's the exhaust outlet for my Diesel-fired heating system. It came with the boat, but now it's just an eyesore.
Barrett
Dial: 1-800-282-5740 or: 1-206-282-5740 or go to: http://www.barrettenclosures.com/ or click the related link. Ask for Mike and tell him Susan from Seattle/San Diego sent ya.
Dial: 1-800-282-5740 or: 1-206-282-5740 or go to: http://www.barrettenclosures.com/ or click the related link. Ask for Mike and tell him Susan from Seattle/San Diego sent ya.
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