unknown cockpit canvas

[drazlou]

My 1994 C30 came with a dodger and no bimini. It did have a canvas cover in a bag that looked like it had never been used. It has a zipper that attaches to the aft end of the dodger and then has two snaps and multiple grommets. It looks like the snaps at the back go around the split backstay and a grommet in the center looks like you could attach a line to the upper part of the backstay to give it some pitch to drain water. There is no information regarding this thing in the Catalina manual. Does anyone know how this thing is attached and used?

 

[Skipper]

There's probably a channel in the rear of the canvas for a canopy pole. The pole will look like a mini boathook: reatractable, aluminum, etc, but with no hook. You can get them at WM. The pole will prop up the rear of the canvas IE tent style, with the front attached to your dodger.

The canopy will then attach to your backstay as you suspect, with tie downs to the aft pulpit.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Sounds like you have got a similar setup as on Coriolis.
Like Skipper says, look for a channel in the rear of the canopy, the front attaches with the zippers to the Dodger, the rear is held up at the split backstay, really simple, took me a year to find out what the canvas in the bag was about.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Enlarge my avatar pic

 

[Lost Parent]

Can you explain how to enlarge your avitar

 

[Stu Jackson]

One way is to push CTRL SHIFT + at the same time. CTRL (-) brings it back again.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Try this page, it's an old one, but it has larger pics;
http://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=catalina-274

 

[drazlou]

Thanks for the picture. Does the aluminum pole attach to anything or does it just stiffen up the back of the canvas. Is there a connection to the backstay in the center of the canvas or just the two attachments to the split portion of the backstay?

 

[redhead78]

I had one that connected to the dodger wf zipper,there was a long pocket or sleeve at the opp end with an openoning in the center approx 1" diameter. I would slide the alum 1" diameter pole thru the sleeve, and at the middle I would hook it behind the rear stay, then continue to slide thru the sleeve. Each end of the alum pole had a eye on to hook a bungee to and hook it to a downward object a little aft, as it slides down the rear stay it stays horizontal..... sound doable??? Red

 

[Coriolisbc]

Lou;
Answer is yes, to both, the pole stiffens up the back of the canvas, it is held aloft by a single center strap that clips on to the backstay at the split portion, next time ( tomorrow) when I am at the boat, I will take more detailed pics

 

[drazlou]

Thanks. Did the canvas come with your boat or did you buy it? I spoke to Catalina Yachts and they said that Catalina never offered this canvas as an option so they didn't know anything about it. Do you use this in lieu of a bimini? It seems to cover the entire cockpit area and could really be useful on one of those 95 degree sunny days when you're dying to get out of the sun.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Lou, the canvas was custom made by a company in Seattle, I use it in lieu of a bimini,

 

[BillyK]

Thanks. Did the canvas come with your boat or did you buy it? I spoke to Catalina Yachts and they said that Catalina never offered this canvas as an option so they didn't know anything about it. Do you use this in lieu of a bimini? It seems to cover the entire cockpit area and could really be useful on one of those 95 degree sunny days when you're dying to get out of the sun.

I have this exact setup.. It's an awning and sets up just like the guys are saying.. The worst part about it is its low and being in the cockpit is a pain with it up. But if its 100° out its a necessary evil. I'm going to have a Bimini made this spring because I can't stand not being able to stand...

 

[Coriolisbc]

Here are some better pics

 

[Spindrift NH]

I too have one of these that came with my boat. On the aft end of mine there is a pocket that the aluminum pole slides through. There are two cut-outs right at the split stays, the pole goes behind the stays while the canvas cut-out goes in front of the stays, creating a support system designed to hold up the back. I do not need anything else to hold it in place. On real windy days it will "wobble". I can use tie downs to keep it from doing that. Also, I have a separate, matching piece of sunbrella that I can attach to the side that hangs down to the coaming. A nice feature for late in the afternoon when the sun is low in the sky.
While researching boats, I got the impression this type of "bimini" was called a "California Bimini" I certainly could be mistaken with that. Either way it's not something I would have set up while sailing. I too am considering adding a Bimini to the boat, when I get all the other more important projects done!