O'day 26 Bimini Top Installation

[BelladonnaII]

I've recently ordered and installed a bimini top on my 84 O'day 26 thanks to a owner that was selling his boat on sailboatlistings. I noticed it and inquired on the dimensions.

I've seen many questions about the o'day 26 bimini here and on sailnet so I thought I should post.

The overall size is a tad big but I think it fits pretty well with maximum coverage. It is 6' Long x 46" High x 67"-72" Wide. Those are the specs for the kit that I ordered. You might think 6' is too long but mine just comes over the stern rail about a foot and voila! It sits just a tad high for my liking but can be easily lowered if you want to trim the poles. The width is perfect.

Forgive me with the dark pictures, it was getting a little late when I finished.

 

[Ward H]

That looks good. Do you mind sharing cost an source?

 

[BelladonnaII]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/381229943417

This is the one I ordered although I chose the wrong color (Picture is pacific blue but actually navy blue). It says down in the description that it's navy blue but I didn't read that far. It's not a real dark navy so I'm just going to go with it. For $94 I don't expect to get that many years out of it so I'll get the right color when I need another. The frame is of pretty good construction and everything was straight and fit nicely. They only gave me one screw even though shipping manifest listed 12 screws but I just went to Lowe's and picked a few up.

I counter sunk the holes for brackets and used butyl tape to seal.

The pictures don't show where I temporarily just cut a slit in the top for backstay to come through. I'll have a Zipper or Velcro stitched in for that.

 

[Ward H]

Wow, I was expecting that to be quite a bit more. Have to show it to the Admiral.

 

[BelladonnaII]

Yea, I wasn't sure about it but I took a chance and it turned out alright. It's $95-100 for the standard top only at westmarine and defender. This comes with frame, boot, and hardware.

 

[Mac398]

Does it retract?

If so, can you sail with it deployed? Does it interfere with the boom, lines, etc.?

Can you stand up under it?

Did you need to modify anything to accommodate the back stay(s)?

Thanks!

 

[BelladonnaII]

It does retract aft and is supported by the rear legs although you must disconnect backstay in order to do so.

I had to raise topping lift a few inches but the main still raises it a bit more so sailing with it up is no problem. The main sheet is well clear of it.

I can stand up under it just fine and I'm 6'2 but it's not so tall that it looks ugly.

It needs a slit cut in it for the backstay (a little off center on the 26'). This can be done several ways with the preferred way probably installing a zipper.