Biminis??

[Jonny_H]

Hi,

We are currently debating whether we need to spend money on a bimini for our trip to Austrlia.

We are having issues because the boat is centre cockpit with the main sheet at rear of cockpit and we have a big winch on each side of the cockpit.

Any comments??

 

[ChrisE]

Whatever you come up with you MUST have a sunshield in the cockpit, the strength of the equatorial sun has to be felt to beleived.

We rigged pieces of canvas to keep the sun off and will use a bimini next time.

 

[jonic]

Jonny

Just setting off from Palma so very quick reply. You MUST have one. We had the same issues but it can be done. In a few days I'll post some pics. Gotta go....

 

[Troutbridge]

Must have one. Preferably one that you can erect when sailing [still talking biminis here /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif]
Also, you can still get burnt even with a tan & don't forget to wear a T shirt when snorkelling otherwise your back will get fried and you won't notice!

 

[demonboy]

Johnny - we too are centre cockpit with an annoyingly low boom, mainsheet hanging over the back of your head and winches and stuff and things and blah etc etc. Took us three years to finally take the plunge but we have been told time and time again how important one is.

I include two pics which may or may not be of some help. You can see the bimini has only one fitting to the deck but is comprised of three bars. It is secured by four webbing straps (ignore the overlength of the webbing - to be trimmed). The gaps between the webbing and frame allow for a big winch handle to fit through. Besides I tend to hop over to the leeward side when winching (that is, I don't really winch when in the cockpit).

Don't forget to get in oyster white or grey or any other light colour. You will fry under a navy blue bimini!

Grrr. I can't get ftp opened up to post the images on the thread. I'll keep trying but please PM me with your email address and I'll email 'em.

 

[alandee]

Hi. Ours is a godsend in the Med. We have a centre cockpit Beneteau 36CC with the traveller to the rear of the cockpit similar to yours I think. Make sure the fabricator/installer knows what the big chrome things with the bits of rope wound around them are for...the supports for ours were fixed just six inches away from them !! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Apart from that it was just fine ! Great for keeping the rain off too when moored up.

 

[Carolwildbird]

You couldn't send me the pics as well, could you? I have a bimini which I inherited with my boat- but it was in bits. The previous owners didnt use it. I think I have fathomed out how to assemble it (and replaced a couple of small parts to make it work) but can't quite work out how to strap it onto the sprayhood/deck etc.. Maybe a picture or two of others might help.

 

[Tranona]

It is normal to have webbing straps down to eyes on the coachroof either side of the companionway. Sometimes there is also a strap to go to the sprayhood frame for use when that is erected. Whatever, you need something to stop it from being blown back.

 

[Jonny_H]

Thanks ... looks like the credit card may be called on again! Ouch .. just collected the new windlass last night.

Any suggestions on good places to get them from? Are they cheaper in the Canaries / Spain than they are in the UK?

Also, any one had any experience with these : www.biminitop.com they seem to solve the problem on centre cockpit winch set-up's etc? Will email them re prices (not hopeful though - have a feeling it will be a 4 figure exercise!)

Thanks

Jonny

 

[demonboy]

I kept going back to this design myself, suggesting it to the various bimini makers I've chatted to over the years. None seemed particularly keen on the idea because it lacks strength. Your bimini should be able to withstand gale force winds if fitted correctly. Not sure the product you provide a link for is that strong. Still, if all else fails it's better than nothing. Get it made yourself though. Bolt to the binnacle perhaps.

 

[Jonny_H]

Jamie,

On their website they say its been tested in 85mph winds - however, whilst I expect the frame to withstand this I'm not sure the way they suggest to mount it would be as strong (clamped to console).

We looked at making our own bimini from scratch - baselinemarine has all the fittings etc, but we can't bend the poles to make the frame - unless anyone in the north west has a tube bending machine they wish to lend us for a weekend? We could use universal joints and make the bimini with right angled joints - but this doesn't sound like it would be very attractive, plus it would be more of a 'sail' when windy!

We have seen some 'off the shelf' bimini designs - Plastimo, Lalizas and Taylor Made do them - however they all say to mount them with the mounting points at the mid point of the length - which in our case in smack bang where the genoa winches fall!

Hmmmmm

Jonny

 

[Tranona]

That is only a shade for use at anchor. You need something that will stand up to use when sailing. Canvas work people in UK CJ marine springs to mind do them for boats going to the Med. It is a common thread on the Motor boat forum.

Suggest you find somebody who can do it after seeing the boat as there are different ways of setting them up. Biggest problem on centre cockpit boats is getting enough headroom while still allowing boom clearance - plus keeping the frame fittings out of the way of winches and allowing space to get onto the sidedeck. Having said all that you will appreciate it when you get to the warm climates!

 

[Jonny_H]

We have a cockpit tent we can use at anchor - but need something while sailing.

We have read someone's blog who used a big beach umbrella strapped to the center console and said this worked very well, all for €10!

We have the boom height / mainsheet position / winch position issue:

(Excuse the ripped sprayhood - on the 'mend' list for this weekend when we have the sewing machine out!)

We looked at CJ Marine at the boat show, but their prices were eye watering (a 4 figure affair - something we don't have /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )

Jonny

 

[Slinky Spring]

Help may be closer than you think.
My stack bag and friends sprayhoods were made at the yacht shop at fleetwood
the yacht shop
They will also sell you fabric off the roll if you wantto have a go yourself.
All the bits you need can be got from martex marine
martex marine
There is a place in liverpool called the 'one off shop' who specialise in supplying and bending all types of tubing.
Or you could make it using fixed bends. That would give you the option to dismantle the frame when you weren't using it.
Another place that has all the fabric tapes fittings etc is point north
point north
Another possibility is Lambs sailmakers in liverpool. No website but his phone no. may still be 07743632309.
He did a full cockpit enclosure and 2 stack bags for about £1k for an Oyster 41 I know of. He is usually happy to travel.

Another thought is that you could design the frame to clamp onto the guardrail supports. That would keep it well clear of your winches.

 

[Tranona]

Looks OK on height, you should be able to get almost standing headroom. Biggest problem will be mounting the folding framework as you are short of length in relation to height between the winches and main traveller.

On cost, unless you can put something together yourself you are into 4 figures. A bimini for a Bavaria 38 lists at about £1250 plus VAT. You spray hood with grab rail would be £800 plus VAT professionally made - couple of hundred less if you DIY.

Back to the old priorities. Having spent quite a bit of time in the Med, even out of the really hot months, a bimini would be near the top of my list.

 

[rwoofer]

I have seen CC Southerlies with a vertical frame at the back of the cockpit from which the bimini is deployed. Was thinking of doing this with my old CC.

Found a pic here:

 

[Slinky Spring]

Have a look at this colvic countess
colvic countes
The photos aren't very clear but you can see the bimini on it

 

[nickrj]

A bimini would be fantastic down here - The sun is incredible. That being said, it's additional cost, no? Reality is, you can sail without one - Most of your voyaging will be on autopilot anyway, so you'll probably be inside laying in your bunk. You can rig a tarpaulin or something over the boom when in port... All that canvas and fancy stainless could be half a years (or more!) worth of Rotis and guava juice - Your choice! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

nick

 

[affinite]

Bimini is essential in the med.
Dont be tempted to buy a lightweight, alluminium framed one from the US like I was. It looks pants. In fact it looks exactly like a pair of pants on a stick once the breeze gets up.
I am replacing mine next week (hopefully) with a decent SS framed job. BTW - Looks to me that you need one of those "Y" framed jobs. Ive seen a few in Greece and they seem to be pretty sturdy and wouldnt foul your sheet/traveller. Will post a pic if I can find one

 

[whipper_snapper]

I agree with all the others, you need a good bimini for sailing. But you also need a big overall shade that will cover the whole boat while you are at anchor (as you will be most of the time). Without it you cannot comfortably do any work on deck, or just lounge around, during the heat of the day.

This need not be very expensive and can be knocked-up by a competent canvas worker. The best I have seen here are made from double layers of stuff called 'shade net'. It is a fine mesh that allows some light and air through. This makes the whole thing much lighter and easier to stow and erect. I think that you can buy equivalent stuff in the UK for gardening, try B&Q. Don't go to your local sailmaker who will make you an expensive, heavy monstrosity.