marine store biminis

[tim howe]

hi. i just purchased a 1977 27' and want topurchasw abimini from west marine, boaters world etc...has anyone done this? whatwould be the measurements? h xl...3 or 4 bows?

 

[Barrie McDonald]

Cheap Biminis

Tim,Go to www.sailrite.com and check out their online catalogue for biminis and dodgers. They offer great kits at very low prices.Good Luck,Barrie

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

I put an "off the shelf" Sunbrella bimini

on my powerboat, and if it can stand up to 25-30 mph generated by the boat--and mine is on the flybridge, so the wind gets under it--it would certainly stand up to any wind conditions on a sailboat. It was only supposed to be an inexpensive temporary solution because when I called the local canvas shop in Feb, they told me they were taking orders for October! Four years later, it's still in fine shape. It has an aluminum frame, which is fine for fresh water (however, if you're in salt air conditions, stainless is available), and doesn't have any zippers or snaps for side curtains, but if all you need is shade in the cockpit, "off the shelf" is a good buy IMHO.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Agree with Peggy as ususal.

Since I made my own from a Sailrite kit I have some experience in this area. The kit is fine if you have the time to master the sewing part. But the over-the-counter solution is fine also.For an H27 on saltwater I would recommend a 3-bow of stainless in the color you like. Buy the width that exceeds a measurement at a point around mid-cockpit. You won't find an exact fit but can easily cut the tubing to the final width. The fore-aft dimension should be around five foot for an H27. Now take the bows and a friend to the boat to find a mounting point. The idea is to find a place that will not interfere with winch handles, furling lines, cleats, etc. I drilled and tapped the toe rails for the mounting hardware on my H37C. The aft most bow goes behind the backstay. I sewed a 18" section of velcro over the slot and reinforced the hole where the backstay comes through. So the back folds out even with the rails. The mid-bow remains right at the backstay and the forward bow folds out to just under the boom. The whole thing folds up against the backstay and I made a cover using velcro closures. Piece of cake.