To Modify My 26.5 For Better Cruising?

[Randy Rathmann]

I purshased an '87 Hunter 26.5 last fall and am impressed with her sailing characteristics. The boat has lots of sail area,is very fast and I can single hand when necessary. However my wife doesn't like to heal more than about 20 degrees max and we would both realy like to have a bimini we can stand up under. The goose neck is riveted to the mast so can't be adjusted. I have seen biminis on 26.5 but it would really be a chalenge to get around under it. My soulution is to: 1. Find and purchase a goose neck that will slide in the sail track on the mast. 2. Have a new main sail cut to fit with the boom high enough to give us the head room we need. The main for a 25.5 might work. 3. Install bimini. My soulution is obviously going to reduce performance and considering the cost of a new main will be relatively expensive but if it gets my wife on the boat with me it may be well worth the price. Would appreciate any insight from other Hunter owners and sailing commuinity in general. Thanks!

 

[Debra Blatnik]

Try an awning instead

My 37 came with a bimini and I am trying to get it altered so that I can see while I sail.Several places carry an awning that is held in the center by the main halyard when you aren't sailing. It gets tied at the corners to the lifelines.This may be a better solution.

 

[Dick Vance]

Bimini That Will Work

Hi Randy,I had the same problem with my 25.5= low boom.I used a generic 6' 3-bow bimini top from Overton's (http://www.overtons.com)that fits above the boom level to give standing headroom. Since I'm on a freshwater lake, I chose the aluminum frame with vinyl top. I split the top between the aft two top support frames to allow the backstay to pass through. (this is kept closed by a vinyl flap with velcro) The top is mounted on 3' slider tracks, (also available from Overton's) parallel to and as close as possible to the toe rails. This allows the top to have approx. 3' of fore and aft travel; just clearing the luff of the main when all the way back; can be slid forward when docked, anchoring or motoring, with the boom swung aside, covering the front part of the cockpit and shading the companionway.When you don't need the bimini, it folds up against the backstay.With the top slid back for sailing, there is plenty of shade and shelter for the helmsman and crew.I forget the exact measurements, as I put the top on about 9 years ago, but measure the width between your toerails at the midpoint; measure the height distance from the gunwales that will give you standing headroom from the cockpit floor, and select the size from Overton's chart that will give you the closest match. (I believe I used the 46" high top but measure to be certain)I had a local auto upholstery shop do the split and flap between the rear two suppports for me. My 25.5 has the backstay offset from centerline to accomodate the rudder so this has to be marked by positioning the folded top against the backstay and marking it where the backstay intersects. I also had the vinyl boot cover split at the same point and grommets attached so that I could use the cover when the top is folded.There is a picture of my boat with the top up (in the most aft position) in the Boats section here:http://www.sailboatowners.com/album/articles/Vance73098118433/MEV2boats.jpgThere's another photo with the bimini folded here:http://www.sailboatowners.com/album/articles/oldpix/HBreef.jpgI have several pics of Honey Bear in the Boats section; click on 25.5, then Photos Contributed by Owners.Many other owners have used my method and all have been very satisfied. Its the only way you can have a proper bimini on a boat with a low boom. I once saw a 25.5 that had one installed underneath the boom and the owner had to sit to steer and kneewalk to move around! Not a good solution. That was what gave me the idea to split it and use slider tracks.HTHDick VanceH-25.5 "Honey Bear"

 

[Bill Tarnick]

Use existing gooseneck

I had the same problem. Here's what I did:I drilled out the rivets holding the gooseneck to the mast and tapped the holes to next size up machine screws. I drilled and tapped another set of holes 18 inches up on the mast. I had a local sailmaker add a reef 18" up on the main. I used a generic bimini from Overtons. I'm 6'2" and I can stand under the bimini. But if I want to race or have more sail area for what ever reason, I fold up the bimini and lower the boom back to its original location and shake out the reef.