First, I have not heard back from the owner as to the manufacturer of the bimini but i suspect the boat has the 6 foot long bimini manufactured by Ameriseam. I also understand that when the mainsail is hoisted, the boom clears the bimini.
First, I introduced Ameriseam to Hunter and was present when the bimini patterns were being done to the water ballast boats. First the attachment of the mainsheet was on the cockpit floor in front of the wheel steering.. Two size biminis were designed one four foot long and the other 6 foot long. The six foot bimini required to move the attachment of the mainsheet attachment on the boom forward if I recall about 14-16 inches. B&R folks did not see this to be any problem with the loading of the boom and I installed many that way. It sounds like the boom kicker needs to be readjusted higher to the point the boom clears the bimini when motoring. i was able to set a positon where the mainsail was fully deployed without the boom hitting the bimini. The last year built was 2006 for the 260 as I hauled the last one out of the factory. I wonder also if the main is worn to the point it needs replacing.
When adding a traveler, never install from seat to seat as it is a knee or shin bone injury waiting to happen. I confered with the fellows from B&R rig and Hunter owner Warren Luhrs when I was asked to install the first traveler to a 26 and later the 260. The ideal position is the area of the seating just in front of the companionway. Over the companionway met with resistance due to safety issues but the last was overloading the boom in the rear. I want you all to think about that one as we were all concerned about placing a traveler over the companionway.
First, I introduced Ameriseam to Hunter and was present when the bimini patterns were being done to the water ballast boats. First the attachment of the mainsheet was on the cockpit floor in front of the wheel steering.. Two size biminis were designed one four foot long and the other 6 foot long. The six foot bimini required to move the attachment of the mainsheet attachment on the boom forward if I recall about 14-16 inches. B&R folks did not see this to be any problem with the loading of the boom and I installed many that way. It sounds like the boom kicker needs to be readjusted higher to the point the boom clears the bimini when motoring. i was able to set a positon where the mainsail was fully deployed without the boom hitting the bimini. The last year built was 2006 for the 260 as I hauled the last one out of the factory. I wonder also if the main is worn to the point it needs replacing.
When adding a traveler, never install from seat to seat as it is a knee or shin bone injury waiting to happen. I confered with the fellows from B&R rig and Hunter owner Warren Luhrs when I was asked to install the first traveler to a 26 and later the 260. The ideal position is the area of the seating just in front of the companionway. Over the companionway met with resistance due to safety issues but the last was overloading the boom in the rear. I want you all to think about that one as we were all concerned about placing a traveler over the companionway.