Recently purchased a 1987 Legend 37, and would like to add a bimini, possibly a hard one made of fibreglass, or a standard sunbrella version. I have seen ads only for the soft top variety, and never having had one before, I am unfamiliar with what style, construction consideration, or company, constitutes good good value and trouble - free operation. If anyone can help me with any information or guidance, it would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time. Wilf
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Biminis
Ameriseam makes a good bimini which is offered as an option through Hunter Marine. I think if you search the archives you'll see some good reviews of their work. I've heard nothing but raves for the fiberglass hardtop dodgers, but i couldn't tellyou offhand where to find one. Perhaps the back of Sailor or CW you'll find a classified ad. Anyone here have a hardtop??
Ameriseam makes a good bimini which is offered as an option through Hunter Marine. I think if you search the archives you'll see some good reviews of their work. I've heard nothing but raves for the fiberglass hardtop dodgers, but i couldn't tellyou offhand where to find one. Perhaps the back of Sailor or CW you'll find a classified ad. Anyone here have a hardtop??
wavestopper
ive been looking to replace my dodger with a fiberglass one also, they are more expensive $4-5k, im trying to justify the added cost in my mind. i flew down to the seattle boat show this year looked at a fiberglass one called the Wavestopper. Try Seawind canvas & Sails (1-360-650-0810) bellingham,washington or www.mypid.com/seawind they look pretty good also
ive been looking to replace my dodger with a fiberglass one also, they are more expensive $4-5k, im trying to justify the added cost in my mind. i flew down to the seattle boat show this year looked at a fiberglass one called the Wavestopper. Try Seawind canvas & Sails (1-360-650-0810) bellingham,washington or www.mypid.com/seawind they look pretty good also
Which is it?
Interesting question if you mean "Bimini" and not "Dodger". A bimini hardtop, permanently mounted over the cockpit?
Interesting question if you mean "Bimini" and not "Dodger". A bimini hardtop, permanently mounted over the cockpit?
Yes but
Wilf: I also looked into the hard dodger. As you know the only hard part is the top. They still have sunbrella side curtains with plastic windows. So from my standpoint the additional cost is not worth the additional the price. With the soft dodger, I think that you will probably get 8-10 season out of one before they need to be repaired/replaced. When you replace them you only need new canvas not the frame etc. I have seen these on a couple of boats and they look OK (beauty is in the eye of the beholder). There is no reason that they cannot build the same type of frame for the soft dodger vs a hard dodger. That said, I would assume that there is some safety factor built into these types of dodgers in the open ocean.
Wilf: I also looked into the hard dodger. As you know the only hard part is the top. They still have sunbrella side curtains with plastic windows. So from my standpoint the additional cost is not worth the additional the price. With the soft dodger, I think that you will probably get 8-10 season out of one before they need to be repaired/replaced. When you replace them you only need new canvas not the frame etc. I have seen these on a couple of boats and they look OK (beauty is in the eye of the beholder). There is no reason that they cannot build the same type of frame for the soft dodger vs a hard dodger. That said, I would assume that there is some safety factor built into these types of dodgers in the open ocean.
Go local
Wilf, I've never seen a hardtop bimini on an aft cockpit boat. I've seen some on cats and center cockpits. A lot will depend on where you're going to sail. I've got a soft dodger and bimini on my 37.5. Because when the odd tropical storm or hurricane comes through I want to reduce windage as much as possible. In either case I'd recommend contacting a canvas shop close enough access to the boat. You'll be able to talk over different ideas and come up with a solution you'll be happy with. There are a zillion different ways to do what you want and with the canvas guy right there he can offer ideas and you can picture it on the boat. Jim "Prospect"
Wilf, I've never seen a hardtop bimini on an aft cockpit boat. I've seen some on cats and center cockpits. A lot will depend on where you're going to sail. I've got a soft dodger and bimini on my 37.5. Because when the odd tropical storm or hurricane comes through I want to reduce windage as much as possible. In either case I'd recommend contacting a canvas shop close enough access to the boat. You'll be able to talk over different ideas and come up with a solution you'll be happy with. There are a zillion different ways to do what you want and with the canvas guy right there he can offer ideas and you can picture it on the boat. Jim "Prospect"
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