Awnings/Biminis and cockpit mainsheets

Twister_Ken

Twister_Ken

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We're looking at changing boats (something bigger) for eventual use in the Med. Several of the boats that interest us have cockpit travellers for the mainsheet - usually just ahead of the wheel. It's a feature I like in sailing terms, as I don't feel a primary sail control should be out of reach on the coachroof.

However, it does seem to pose a problem in terms of rigging a bimini or awning when sailing. No problem when moored, because the mainsheet can be unclipped and taken to the rail. I guess my question is a two parter. Is there away of rigging a bimini (or at least some sort of shade) for the helmsman with such a sheeting arrangement, and if not, how important is a bimini underway in Med conditions?

Thanks in advance
 
Shade is vital in the med - the best system when under way is a proper framed bimini which folds back against the pushpit when not in use - just make sure it's high enough so you don't hit your head on it (mine's too low!)
 
We have a coachroof mounted mainsheet track with traveller lines and mainsheet handled from the coachroof winches and clutches. The boat is usually on autopilot (or can be put on it with a single button press) and so there is no real disadvantage in not having it at the wheel in the cockpit. Indeed having a full width traveller track on the coachroof allows the sheeted in mainsail to be let out or pulled in like closing a door under much more control than releasing a cockpit mainsheet or letting off a traveller there where the maximum boom angle must be less by simple geometry. The downside however is that in order to apply enough leech tension on the main you need to have a stiff boom section and powerful gear, in our case we have a multipart mainsheet that then goes onto a winch as well, plus a rigid kicker with a similar tackle/winch.

However, our bimini is made so it can cover the helm and standalone without the sprayhood up or it has an extension zipped in to join it to the sprayhood if that is raised, the hood has a zip opening centre window for 'air conditioning'. It must depend on the boat length I suspect because in our case the boom end only just reaches the front of the cockpit, so we could have a cockpit traveller there anyway if we wished and still use the bimini under sail even with the sprayhood up, but not of course with the sprayhood to bimini section zipped in place, the gap is about 18".

Our bimini converts to a full wet/windy weather conservatory as well but surprisingly even this year in UK waters it has still seen a lot of use in bimini format and I wouldn't want to be without it so a definite Med must have.
 
we are looking at the same sort of set up, but to keep us warm and dry in the UK!

We already have a bimini as you have seen, but it stays upright just aft of the boom when stowed, not folded flat. I have motored with it opened out but not sailed.

For the full conservatory, I am planning to put a snap shackle on the bottom block of the mainssheet tackle, which goes onto the traveller. Then simply move it over to the toe rail on either side, so the conservatory can be erect with no gaps in it.

The best and most simple answer is to get the main from TecSew or C&J Marine to take a look and give you an informed design.
 
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We're not looking at boats with coachroof mounted travellers, because the boats we're interested in aren't made that way!

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Understood.

The other way is with the traveller behind the cockpit - ie. probably a centre cockpit boat. Trouble is, you need a certain size of boat before you loose the feeling that the cockpit is *on* the boat rather than *in* the boat. Even so, the boom needs to be a fair height in order to have a bimini that doesn't bend you double as you move around.

It is an area where compromise rules...
 
If you insist on a cockpit mounted mainsheet it is almost impossible to rig an effective bimini that is usable when sailing. I think you will find a coachroof mounted traveller is less of a constraint than you imagine, particularly if you have a good autopilot. The latest Bavarias (and others such as the Sunbeam 34) have what is known as the "German" mainsheet system where the traveller is on the coachroof, but have a two part mainsheet led back either side to winches in the cockpit. On my boat I am going to experiment next year with a "tail" on the mainsheet taken back to the helm.

A bimini is just about essential in the Med as the alternative is frying!
 
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We have a number of boats here rigged up with biminis, and in all cases, the leading edge stops just short of the mainsheet. It therefore does not cover the cockpit completely, but it does shelter the helmsman and at least one other person (of course, depending on the size and layout of the cockpit). The bimini can then be folded back to the backstay. The hinges being on the U-shaped after support. When motoring or at anchor, a clip-on awning can be stretched from the leading edge of the bimini to wherever you want for total protection. As for sailing with a bimini, I've only seen it on boats with coachroof travellers.
I've considered fitting a bimini myself, but not bothered so far, but I'm not bothered by the sun.
 
Hi,

Re your original questions.....

I agree with those who say you need the bimini up when sailing in the med. We have to put ours away when sailing and it's a real problem which we will resolve somehow this winter.

With a mainsheet in the cockpit I believe you will be able to have a bimini over the helmsman which folds away behind when desired. If your cockpit is not too long you might be able to have a sprayhood which comes back almost to the mainsheet, in which case you will only have a relatively small unprotected area.

If the cockpit is long then consider a second bimini forward of the mainsheet which would folds away forward of the sprayhood when not needed.

Cheers,

Bob
 
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Yes, but how do you do it with a mainsheet in the way?

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You can't bring the leading edge of the bimini further forward than the main sheet so as has been posted above you have to have a sort of half bimini fitted - which shelters the helm and maybe one other.The problem is that the bimini will only be effective with the sun overhead and even then the chances are the protection will be less than ideal.We bought a sort of parasol in S.France that hung off the back stay and had lanyards at each corner so it could be adjusted to suit.It was cheap and stowed into a bag which on our 28 footer was ideal.On a bigger yacht I would still have the parasol for sailing and a full on bimini for in harbour.It would have to have sides as well as the sun has to be experienced to be believed on occasions.Hope this helps.
 
Very much liked this:

Bimini

Saw it at SIBS. It is 1500 Euro, for either of two sizes. I should say the web site photos are not so good, the brochure is better, they are made in Belgium. What I liked about it was that it can be moved around to provide shelter for the sun as it moves across the sky (the sun that is), so you should be able to mount it so that a cockpit mainsheet traveller clears it. The other useful feature is that as there is no side frame, there is nothing to get in the way when picking up the lazy line for the bow warps.

I have an idea one may be appearing on a certain Bav 36 in SoF next summer!
 
Yes.It looks like one of those tents with the bendy plastic poles.The one we bought was in a v.small chandler so I would imagine they are quite common on the continent.Unfortunately I don't know the trade name of it.Perhaps they do them in the UK - if so maybe someone on the PBO site would know?
 
I think it would be ok underway but not sure how it would work to shade all the cockpit when lounging with back against companionway bulkhead in harbour or when at anchor when the 'angle of attack' of the sun would alter as she sheers?
 
We saw this and were very impressed too. We have a centre cockpit ketch and the mainsheet is behind the wheel. It still gives us a problem unless we are prepared to install an additional frame, as the only other way to support a bimini aft is on the shrouds, and then it's in the way of the sheets as they are loosened. And one of us doesn't like the idea of an extra frame.

The guy doing these was v helpful and we are going to take pix of our set up (not as simple as addtions to a binnacle post) and he says he'll review possible solutions. So maybe for us too! In the meantime - large sun hats, reversed baseball caps, parasols, and a very easy to set home made cloth awning for the moment we stop or turn the engine on!
 
Saw a photo, I think on a trade stand at LBS in 07. It was a split bimini, the forward section zipped to the spray hood with a hoop frame supporting the after end. The stern portion was studded to frame hoops at both ends. The gap between looked about a foot wide for the mainsheet to go thro'. IIRC there was a moulding on the centre frames that created the appropriate curved slot (boom radius) onto which the bimini was clipped. Maybe worth contacting the appropriate Show exhibitors to source this. Obviously custom designed but it looked superb quality.
 
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