I recently installed a bimini top on my Oday 22. It came off of my friends 24' open fishing boat. I needed to reduce the height by 7" to make it functional while under sail. I cut the main poles down the 7" and reinstalled the end hinge pieces using a small stainless steel screw instead of the original rivets. The bimini can be used while sailing and actually created a nice addition to the boat. The bimini overhangs the companion way about a foot or so, leaving it about a foot or so from the back of the boat. This does not interfear with the backstay and is far enough forward that I can peak my head out the back to look at the sails or windex. When it is hot and sunny, the bimini has added a cool area to sit. The wind comes in the front hatch, blows through the cabin and out the companionway. I agree with Mike, it feels like air conditioning with the air coming through the cabin. When it rains, it is a great escape from the weather. I attached the straps to the two rear cleats and the front straps to the teak rails on each side of the companionway hatch. No I can't standup, but most of my time is spent sitting down anyway. I tried setting it up to fold up to the rear, but this caused problems when trying to board the boat on the mooring. I have since set it up that it folds forward on top of the cabin, totally out of the way of boarding the boat. This winter I will try to mount it the bimini onto the tracks running along the cockpit so I can slide it forward or back. I will try to take some pictures this weekend.
