Need help with bimini top 79 H30

[kito]

I wonder if someone can help me out. I want to order a bimini top for my 79 H30 project boat. Problem is that it's on the hard in my yard with mast down. I am not sure where the cutouts for the split backstay will be located. I guess I could trig it out but would be hard to get exact measurements. I won't have the mast up until next Spring if all goes well. It would be nice to have my bimini up while working on her. Can anyone share their bimini dimensions and where the best mounting would be?. I am leaning towards a rail mount but deck mount would be fine if there is no interference with the winches etc. I am 6'5" tall and need it tall enough to stand under. Does the Hunter store here have the split stay dimensions already in their database? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Steve C.]

The boom will never let someone 6'5" stand under a bimini...

 

[Nereussailor]

I'm 6'1" and It's pretty tight for me.

 

[kito]

I don't mind bending over under the bimini a bit. Any help on my back stay location and size? I really like to get one on order.

 

[Nereussailor]

A lot will depend on your mounting points on the boat and the tension of the back stay.

 

[Steve Dion]

You may want to speak to the staff at the HOW Store. They can tell you if they have the pattern for your boat. One of our harbor members ordered one (for a H'30) from them and it fits file.

Be sure to have it shipped to the marina because it is not easy to transport.

 

[kito]

Thanks all. I will call the HOW store and see if they already have the info I need. If someone can give me the boom height from the boom to the cockpit floor I would really appreciate it. I know the height can be adjusted easy enough. Just don't want to get something taller than I need since the height effects the price.

 

[Ian McGain]

if you are that tall, I would suggest you do not do anything with your bimini until you stand up your mast and boom. You will want to set your boom at the highest setting on your mast to gain as much headroom as you can. This is also dependent on your main sail, as you do not want to have this re-cut.
Hang a tarp to give you shade to work on the boat. The bimini can wait.

 

[ggrizzard]

I can get you the hypotenuse elevation from the cockpit deck level and an average boom height from my rig tomorrow evening.

 

[H30Gary]

On my 1980 H30, I measured 6' from the cockpit floor to the bottom of the boom. This was with the boom about horizontal and not with the main on. Not sure if the boom would be higher or lower with the main up and sheeted in.

I don't have a Bimini, but my guess is that you'd have about 5'6" clearance under one.

 

[kito]

Thanks for all the info. I am confused now. I was on another H30 and was able to pretty much stand up under his bimini. It was a while ago and can't recall if his bimini just covered the aft section of the cockpit. I know the boom is relatively short and maybe the bimini coverage started aft of the boom end. I know 5'6" height is going to kill my neck and back though..........

 

[Nereussailor]

You could set your Bimini back a little, but then you don't get the coverage of the cockpit. Mine tilts forward a little to clear the boom by about 1". Most of the time I sit on a dense foam cushion that is about 13" thick so it really doesn't affect the line of sight. I also sewed an extra panel to the top of the Bimini to protect it if the boom would rub on it while at the dock. When sailing, it isn't as close as it is when the boom is hooked to the topping lift. I don't have a boom vang, but my traveler is mid boom and keeps it pretty tight. While sailing, it's about 6-8 inches above the Bimini. I'm going down to my boat in a little while and I'll take some measurements and pictures.
I'm in need of a new Bimini and this thread has me thinking about the height of mine. Another option is to get one the height you want, fit it to the boat and adjust your boom. If you absolutely have to, cut it down as needed. I found my Bimini sitting next to a dumpster and had to cut off almost a foot to get it to fit. The width was perfect. It's a cheap aluminum one, but I didn't have one at the time and needed one bad. The Florida sun in summer can really mess with your head.

 

[rufus1138]

one point to add, i wouldnt mess with the backstay pass through until you decide if you want an adjustable backstay, my 33 has a bimini that was made without provision for an adjustable backstay, you need zippers or some kind of way to let the shrouds move laterally in the bimini when the tension is adjusted if you use a split style scissor adjuster.

 

[Nereussailor]

I've tried to get down to the boat three times to get pics,and measurements, but it's rained every time I want to leave. Today I went down there with the camera, and got all set up to take a picture, and there was no card in the camera. I'll have to talk to the admiral about that one and try again.

 

[kito]

I've tried to get down to the boat three times to get pics,and measurements, but it's rained every time I want to leave. Today I went down there with the camera, and got all set up to take a picture, and there was no card in the camera. I'll have to talk to the admiral about that one and try again.

Thanks anyway NS........sheet happens