The Skipper (my wife) has decided that we will sail in comfort this year on our 1981 H33. We cannot afford to canvas the whole cockpit, so thought we would start with a bimini. I contacted the local canvas shop, and was told that it will be a challenge, but possible. The problems are: 1. Split backstay. They will use zippers, and say that water will collect when not sailing. Recommended taking the canvas off when not in use. 2. Can run the front of the bimini to the back of the boom. This will be about 4-feet depth of canvas, giving the helmsman shade, but not the other passengers. If run under the boom, not any room to stand. 3. The S/S tubing will be close to the winches I installed forward of the original winches. I guess this is to be expected, and they say there will be room for the winch handle. Price seems to be right at about $825. Any ideas, or better yet, photos of other H33's with bimini's? Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Ken, my H-27 has the split backstay
and my canvas maker used zippers, too. With the cover on the bimini, I have NEVER had water standing on the canvas in a closed position. In fact, if you close it up right, the water (coming down the stays) will run right on thru on the stays. Taking the bimini off each time that you are not using it is NUTS for three reasons: lots of work, too much time to put it back on and take it off, and storage of canvas would be requiredAs for the distance, your cockpit is larger than mine, so the distance not covered would be greater. However, we got 90% coverage, as the bimini is made to "just fit" under the aft of the boom. By adjusting the topping lift, the boom clears the front of the bimini by about 1 inch and with the main up, it clears it by a lot more. Our bimini runs aft all the way to line up with the aft rail. Out stainless meets the deck behind the winch, not in front of it. In reviewing your note, and after thinking all of this through, I think you need a "second opinion" from another canvas maker. You may want to check out this guy's references........ Good Luck.
and my canvas maker used zippers, too. With the cover on the bimini, I have NEVER had water standing on the canvas in a closed position. In fact, if you close it up right, the water (coming down the stays) will run right on thru on the stays. Taking the bimini off each time that you are not using it is NUTS for three reasons: lots of work, too much time to put it back on and take it off, and storage of canvas would be requiredAs for the distance, your cockpit is larger than mine, so the distance not covered would be greater. However, we got 90% coverage, as the bimini is made to "just fit" under the aft of the boom. By adjusting the topping lift, the boom clears the front of the bimini by about 1 inch and with the main up, it clears it by a lot more. Our bimini runs aft all the way to line up with the aft rail. Out stainless meets the deck behind the winch, not in front of it. In reviewing your note, and after thinking all of this through, I think you need a "second opinion" from another canvas maker. You may want to check out this guy's references........ Good Luck.
H33 Bimini
Ken, here is a photo of the bimini on bay horse. It was there when I bought the boat and has served ok. The ties adjust so that the boom just misses the bimini top as it swings downward, (topping lift missing or loose) It has been left up for many months at a time with no particular problem other than just weathering the fabric. It even weathered 48 hours of 40 50 kt winds fully deployed in a near miss hurricane just before I got the boat. Leaving the boat, I usually fold it up and protect with a cover which also has the splits for the backstay. As you can see the backstay adjuster tackle also goes up through the backstay hole. Not a perfect solution but it does work. Indications are that my boat has had a similar rig all its days.
Ken, here is a photo of the bimini on bay horse. It was there when I bought the boat and has served ok. The ties adjust so that the boom just misses the bimini top as it swings downward, (topping lift missing or loose) It has been left up for many months at a time with no particular problem other than just weathering the fabric. It even weathered 48 hours of 40 50 kt winds fully deployed in a near miss hurricane just before I got the boat. Leaving the boat, I usually fold it up and protect with a cover which also has the splits for the backstay. As you can see the backstay adjuster tackle also goes up through the backstay hole. Not a perfect solution but it does work. Indications are that my boat has had a similar rig all its days.
split bimini
I have a bimini on my 79 Hunter 30. The jpeg is to large to attach. I have a zipper that comes in from both sides to a cut-out circle arround the back stay. rear straps hook to either side of the ladder on back top rail. The front straps hook to shackles hooked through the aluminum rub rail. forward request for pictures to imcgain@hortnet.com as the jpeg is to large to post.
I have a bimini on my 79 Hunter 30. The jpeg is to large to attach. I have a zipper that comes in from both sides to a cut-out circle arround the back stay. rear straps hook to either side of the ladder on back top rail. The front straps hook to shackles hooked through the aluminum rub rail. forward request for pictures to imcgain@hortnet.com as the jpeg is to large to post.
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