Unexpected benefit from the bimini top

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Kermit

Kermit

.
Jul 31, 2010
5,722
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
First Mate and I used the bimini on our Hunter 23 for the first time Saturday. The weather was so hot we almost didn't even want to take the time to figure out how to attach it since we figured we'd get frustrated with it. Considered not sailing at all because of the heat. Turns out, it was easy to set up and made a world of difference for us.

Then the best part happened. I couldn't see the main at all and could only see a small portion of the jib. So I just sailed! No stress, no worries. Just sailed.

I tend to stress over getting everything perfect when sailing. After about 30 minutes of this cool, shaded, stress-free sailing, I decided to look at the main and see just how far off I was on the trim. The trim was absolutely spot-on. The luff was tight and the streamers were streaming straight back. First Mate looked at the jib and told me both tell-tales were totally happy. I had to see for myself. Happiest I've ever seen them. Something my ASA 101 instructor said to me during my second lesson came back to me. "Don't forget that sailing is supposed to be fun." Saturday was truly relaxing for me. I couldn't help but check the sails a few times after that, too. Perfect every time. I mean absolutely perfect. Even after sailing on a broad reach and jibing. Still perfect.
I always knew that sailing was fun for me, just not particularly relaxing. Sort of like the bottom of the 9th inning in the first game of this year's College World Series final series when South Carolina got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with the score tied. Lots of fun to watch, just not particularly relaxing.

So I found out that I truly can sail by feel and relax at the same time. I guess that's what sailing is all about.

I don't feel comfortable enough with the spinnaker to fly it with the bimini up so I'm sure we'll sail topless again soon. So my next goal is to do just that. Might take awhile, but daggumit I'm gonna do it.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

.
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Nothing like being relaxed in the shade this summer. Sailing only makes it better. Congratulations on getting the bimini installed. Two things would make your good post better, a picture and a bigger font. :)
 
Kermit

Kermit

.
Jul 31, 2010
5,722
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
To excite PrincessoftheLake...

Ed Schenck said:
Nothing like being relaxed in the shade this summer. Sailing only makes it better. Congratulations on getting the bimini installed. Two things would make your good post better, a picture and a bigger font. :)
Click to expand
Thanks for the reply and the gently-worded critique! I think I fixed the font issue and have no pictures of Palmetto Moon with the bimini up. I'm attaching a topless picture. Hope you like it, Princess!
 

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Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

.
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
My hope is to one day have another cruiser on the small lake where my Highlander lives. Your H23 with a bimini would be the perfect boat. So details of your install with pictures would be a real boon. I sail topless most of the time(see Avatar). But occasionally shade is required.
 
SailArkansas

SailArkansas

.
Jul 20, 2010
81
Precision P28 Lake Ouachita
Super glad to read your post. I just had biminis installed on my baot and haven't had a chance to sail with them yet. The cockpit bimini will have to be collapsed but the helmsman bimini will stay up and I won't be able to see the main either. The jib won't be a problem though. I guess I will be sailing by feel as well though I did mount some telltales on the shrouds.

Kermit said:
First Mate and I used the bimini on our Hunter 23 for the first time Saturday. The weather was so hot we almost didn't even want to take the time to figure out how to attach it since we figured we'd get frustrated with it. Considered not sailing at all because of the heat. Turns out, it was easy to set up and made a world of difference for us.

Then the best part happened. I couldn't see the main at all and could only see a small portion of the jib. So I just sailed! No stress, no worries. Just sailed.

I tend to stress over getting everything perfect when sailing. After about 30 minutes of this cool, shaded, stress-free sailing, I decided to look at the main and see just how far off I was on the trim. The trim was absolutely spot-on. The luff was tight and the streamers were streaming straight back. First Mate looked at the jib and told me both tell-tales were totally happy. I had to see for myself. Happiest I've ever seen them. Something my ASA 101 instructor said to me during my second lesson came back to me. "Don't forget that sailing is supposed to be fun." Saturday was truly relaxing for me. I couldn't help but check the sails a few times after that, too. Perfect every time. I mean absolutely perfect. Even after sailing on a broad reach and jibing. Still perfect.

I always knew that sailing was fun for me, just not particularly relaxing. Sort of like the bottom of the 9th inning in the first game of this year's College World Series final series when South Carolina got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with the score tied. Lots of fun to watch, just not particularly relaxing.

So I found out that I truly can sail by feel and relax at the same time. I guess that's what sailing is all about.

I don't feel comfortable enough with the spinnaker to fly it with the bimini up so I'm sure we'll sail topless again soon. So my next goal is to do just that. Might take awhile, but daggumit I'm gonna do it.
Click to expand
 
PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

.
Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Fly_H23 said:
It can be very distracting to others on the the boat or nearby. You don't want to cause any accidents right?
Click to expand
Well, to date I have not caused any accidents (although the helmsman can become distracted) and photographic evidence is on my profile.:D
 
PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

.
Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Kermit said:
Thanks for the reply and the gently-worded critique! I think I fixed the font issue and have no pictures of Palmetto Moon with the bimini up. I'm attaching a topless picture. Hope you like it, Princess!
Click to expand

Top or no top-she is lovely!
Thanks for the picture Kermit.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

.
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
We were talking biminis. I can see that you have one but the frame attachments are not in the picture. :)
 
K

Keiffer

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Nov 11, 2009
34
Ericson 31 Independence Lake Lanier
Can't help thinkning about the words to a Kris Kristofferson song:

If your feelin salty - I'm your tequila

If you've got the freedom - I've got the time

There aint nothing sweeter - than naked emotion

You show me yours - and I'll show you mine
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

.
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
How did Phil do that?
I can attest to having a "helmsman distracter" on most sunny warm days. I can't prove it though like Princessofthelake can though.

On a related topic, adding a window to a bimini is pretty easy. I just got my home made bimini finished and it has two. I’ll take picts this weekend and post them. Placement is critical as the old bimini window would not allow my 5'2" helmsman distracter to see anything but the very end of the topping lift. I'd recommend a cover with Velcro around the window edges installable from below so you can shut the window and keep out the sun on some points of sail and at anchor/dock.
 
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