Beneteau Oceanis 36C Owners....Bimini question...

[adpmijs1]

Hi,

I have a cockpit tent on my 36CC, but don't use it now we've moved to the Canaries...a bimini would be much more use!

I'm struggling to see how / if / where one could be installed though. Has anyone done this on a 36CC?

My questions are largely around:

1. The frame for the cockpit tent isn't much use as it's really too small, both in width and height, to be usable.
2. If you put a wider one on, say from handrail to handrail, it would probably be fine whilst it's up, but then where would the frame be folded / stored when you wanted to take it down? Would it foul the mainsheet?

Can anyone help or provide photo's of theirs please?

Cheers,

Andy

 

[adpmijs1]

I guess no one has done this then, or is too busy enjoying it to reply!

 

[Tranona]

The number of folks with a boat like yours is very small. The proportion with a bimini is also likely to be small and probably none of these subscribe to this forum. You might get more joy through a Beneteau forum.

However, more likely to get sense out of speaking to an experienced bimini maker. Not a huge number around in UK but CJ Marine in Chichester probably the best bet. Likely to get more luck out of somebody who makes these things for a living rather than an owner.

 

[adpmijs1]

Hi, well..yes and no. Whilst it possibly better to target an owner's website / forum, I've always found the YBW forum to yield more replies in the past as it picks up those who haven't registered, and also past owners who may not frequent the owner's websites any more.

I deliberately asked the question of the owners who have to live with, and use, the installation once it's in. I've been in contact with a few bimini manufacturers..all of whom seem happy to install whatever I ask for. Ideally I'm after feedback about owners' setups, e.g. "we had this made for us, but in hindsight I wish we had done....instead"

Thanks for the reply though!

 

[Mrnotming]

Square of Sunbrella with long pockets fore and aft to insert suitable battens or tubing possibly PVC.
One line to backstay or Mizzen(prob not got this!) maybe use a rollover bar style frame to aft of centre cockpit.Two lines forward to shrouds and two downhauls to tension the lot.
Prob: boom may intrude into the setup unless a small reef is arranged to raise the boom end?Do you sport a windshield as well as a Spray hood as well?Usually too low a point onto which to fasten the front edge, and you'd probably need the air gap to cool you anyway? I find I have to fold away most of this stuff in windy conditions (F6/7) when berthing as the windage of it all makes a hash of my manouvres! Draw out some ideas for yourself first, perhaps looking online at the site from whence your original sprayhood was supplied.?

Oops! just realised your mainsheet might be sheeted from a track aft of the cockpit?
Screws up most ideas, change to mid-boom style?
Legend USA style arch in Stainless would allow boom sheeting overhead of fabric.

 

[Tranona]

Very difficult to fit a good bimini to a smallish centre cockpit boat because there is limited headroom from the cockpit floor to the underside of the boom, the mainsheet gets in the way and there is limited clearance over the coamings for going on deck. Mainsheet forward of the hatch is not good because it is too far forward and raising the boom reduces sail area.

No doubt you have discovered this already, but not sure there is a magic answer. As suggested a cover over the cockpit for use in harbour is not difficult to arrange, but a folding bimini that can be used underway less easy.

 

[jac]

Just a thought, (as a new 36cc owner without a Bimini) could you have a hinged part attached to the existing frame to go out sideways and use that to extend the width of the Bimini? Not much you can do re overhead clearance short of major surgery but short hinged extensions from the sprayhood and from the cockpit enclosure itself might work. Probably not going to look top notch but may give the shade you need?

 

[CandJMarineLtd]

Beneteau Oceanis 36CC Bimini

Hi Andy

Many apologies that we haven't seen your thread earlier....it's been a busy run up to the Bank Holiday weekend!

It would be a pleasure to help you with a new Bimini for your Beneteau Oceanis 36CC. We have attached a couple of photographs of our quality cover, showing it both in situ and when stowed away in it's tailor made pouch. Both items are available from our standard pattern.

If you would like to PM us either your telephone number or email address we would be more than happy to make contact with you and provide you with more details on this fantastic C&J product.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards
C&J Marine Ltd

 

[Mrnotming]

Am I missing something in the C&J photos?
How to you sail off the wind?
Looks like the mainsheet will jam under the corner of aft tube?
Seems to sterilise the boats sailing ability whether deployed or folded?
Care to Comment C & J?

 

[CandJMarineLtd]

Beneteau Oceanis 36CC Bimini

Good morning 'paulclan'

Never fear, C&J are here!

Rest assured our Biminis are designed and manufactured with all these thoughts in mind and consideration is certainly made for the necessity to use the Bimini whilst sailing. Therefore, using our modern 3D technology, combined with measurements and photographs of the yacht we can ensure that the Bimini does not interfere with the workings of the vessel. It is also standard procedure for our fitting team to cover all these points before installation. Alternatively if the product is supplied for a customer to install themselves, then full instructions and guidance is provided.

If you would like further information please download a copy of our Bimini datasheet is available at http://cjmarine.co.uk/Content/infoSheets/Bimini.pdf

We hope that this answers your queries.

Kind regards.

 

[Mrnotming]

Unconvinced.Could you post photos of that same boat on a broad reach to help illustrate the lie of the mainsheet?Thanks.

 

[CandJMarineLtd]

'paulclan'

Sadly no, we are unable to provide these pictures. Unless this type of picture is taken by our customers and sent to us then we would not be in a position to take any.

However, what we can do is reiterate our last posts confirming our comprehensive checks that are put in place by our trained fitters when we install Biminis.

We are sorry that we cannot visually convince you, but it is not possible for us to be able to supply photographs of our Biminis in all situations and conditions.

Regards

 

[Mrnotming]

Thanks for leaving me unconvinced!
Regards.