How difficult would it be to make your own bimini?

O

Oscarpop

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 Jul 2011
Messages
1,053
Location
Kent
Visit site
I am getting quotes around the £1200- £1500 for a bimini.

For what is essentially a couple of stainless steel tubes, some stainless fitments and a piece of fabric stretched over the top, I am not sure that this is good value for money.

I recently made my own cockpit cushions with a sewing machine and they turned out well, so I guess I can handle a sewing machine.

I can see that something like a spray hood is a far more complicated thing , but the bimini thing eludes me.

So, can you please let me know if i am (once again) misguided in my assumption?

Also can you point me in the right direction for stainless steel tubing and fitments.

I have some numbers for fabric suppliers, but others are always welcome.

Cheers
 
About 5 years back, I made a bimini for a small Cranchi Mobo,it already had the stainless tubes (folding) fitted, I bought some material two metres wide x 2 metre off the roll, it was white thick cotton, it cost me 50 europs and was still going strong four years later. My Mrs sewed it up using waxed thread on a normal sewing machine, and added fixing webbing on it, it worked a treat.
I cannot comment on the stainless steel tubing and fixings, but it is widely available. The stupid prices quoted for simple biminis are only quoted because people with more money than sense pay it. I dont because I am Mr Cheapness.
 
We had ours made by a sailmaker, but it is essentially a rectangle of fabric with long batten pockets sewn into each end into which long battens the width of the cockpit are fitted. It goes over the boom, the forward outer corners are secured to the shrouds, and the aft ones to, on one side the radar strut and the other a long boathook fitted in the danbuoy holder. There are eyelets along the edges for securing to the guardrails. Obviously different setups might need different adaptation, but this avoids the need for steel tubing, and all fits into a sailbag, except the battens which stow along the toerail.

Needless to say it has not been deployed so far this year. :(

This pic gives a general view

Chevin-bimini.jpg
 
Davy_S said:
The stupid prices quoted for simple biminis are only quoted because people with more money than sense pay it.
Click to expand...

When I was antifouling my boat a couple of months ago, there was a guy working on the next boat. He was, I imagine, from a sailmakers, and he was making a pattern for a bimini. The stainless frame was already on the boat. He had to erect it, secure it, then fix what looked like polythene sheeting on it, using double-sided tape. To make it fit properly, there was a lot of cutting and seaming. It took a few hours. Then he took the pattern away, so that the bimini cover could be made. It's easy to dismiss prices as "stupid", but if you're paying for someone else to do the job, you have to realise how much work is involved.
 
When I was antifouling my boat a couple of months ago, there was a guy working on the next boat. He was, I imagine, from a sailmakers, and he was making a pattern for a bimini. The stainless frame was already on the boat. He had to erect it, secure it, then fix what looked like polythene sheeting on it, using double-sided tape. To make it fit properly, there was a lot of cutting and seaming. It took a few hours. Then he took the pattern away, so that the bimini cover could be made. It's easy to dismiss prices as "stupid", but if you're paying for someone else to do the job, you have to realise how much work is involved.


Ok, I take that point, to fit a bimi (in our case) onto a stainless frame was not rocket science, A hem was formed to go around the port tube, the cloth was stretched across to the starboard tube, marked, then another hem made. then the forrard end of the bimi was again hemmed to fit over the tube. now we only need one more hem to fit the stern tube, as the bimi frame opens into a vee shape it was not difficult to do, The webbing simply held the bimi tightly. It was a simple job, I know which way I would do it, If you want to pay a lot more, its your choice!
Click to expand...
 
Oscarpop said:
I am getting quotes around the £1200- £1500 for a bimini.

For what is essentially a couple of stainless steel tubes, some stainless fitments and a piece of fabric stretched over the top, I am not sure that this is good value for money.

I recently made my own cockpit cushions with a sewing machine and they turned out well, so I guess I can handle a sewing machine.

I can see that something like a spray hood is a far more complicated thing , but the bimini thing eludes me.

So, can you please let me know if i am (once again) misguided in my assumption?

Also can you point me in the right direction for stainless steel tubing and fitments.

I have some numbers for fabric suppliers, but others are always welcome.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Thats the right price. Like many things there is more to it than meets the eye, and if you screw up and get it wrong you will curse it for the rest of the time you own the boat. Go to somebody very experienced like CJ Marine and discuss your requirements with them. There are many other things worth considering in addition to a basic bimini that will make your life more pleasant. For example, we have a zip on back drop on ours because many of the quays in the Ionian have the boats moored with stern facing west. You can also consider side curtains or linking the bimini up with the spray hood. These are the sort of things an experienced fabricator can incorporate based on their experience.
 
For that price I was quoted a full cockpit enclosure and Bimini and stainless work in such a way as to cleverly use one or both and sides/back panel as required. Attaching to existing dodger/grab handle/frame. Well respected independent now departed for sailing adventures?

Otoh all you need in the way of tools ideas material and how to books is available from Sailrite ( web)
Do it, why not?
 
very easy,the tube you can by buy the lenth norm 5mts,end fittings from west marine or local chandlery,i bent my tube around an old 45 gallon drum
made pattens out of old sheets then sewn up at home with old singer sowing machine,mind you net time will buy cover from west marine cost £66.0
as a mater of fact thay also do frame kits 42"high 6'length 67"-72"wide £182.99
42"high 6'lenght 73"-78"wide £182.99
the covers vary from 77.99 to 109.99
or complete kits from 319.99 to 479.99
colors are
white
gray
pacific blue
teal
black
cranberry
navy
hunter green
 
oceanpilgrim said:
very easy,the tube you can by buy the lenth norm 5mts,end fittings from west marine or local chandlery,i bent my tube around an old 45 gallon drum
made pattens out of old sheets then sewn up at home with old singer sowing machine,mind you net time will buy cover from west marine cost £66.0
as a mater of fact thay also do frame kits 42"high 6'length 67"-72"wide £182.99
42"high 6'lenght 73"-78"wide £182.99
the covers vary from 77.99 to 109.99
or complete kits from 319.99 to 479.99
colors are
white
gray
pacific blue
teal
black
cranberry
navy
hunter green
Click to expand...

can you please provide me with a web link. I can only get the US site up and they don't seem to do the kits
 
Making your own bimini.

Oscarmarine,
Stainless fittings can be obtained from Baseline Marine; they sell all the bits needed including the stainless tube. I would recommend going for the 25mm (1 inch) tube and fittings as this will give you a stronger structure. I have found baseline to be very quick and reliable and their parts are good quality.
IIRC I paid about 1000 euros for ours a few (4/5) years ago here in Italy. The actual cloth part is not very complicated, nothing like as complicated to sew as a spray hood.

Good luck.

Alan.
 
i order direct from them in the US and pay by card,delivery was abought £45 and you get charged vat by the dreded customs,as i have bought from them before thay set me a catalog it is on page 714-715,you may have to ask for a catalog first,you can go on line to order this
 
Oscarpop said:
can you please provide me with a web link. I can only get the US site up and they don't seem to do the kits
Click to expand...

Try this:

http://catalogs.westmarine.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.6.3.11&BookCode=wmm12&pagelabel=715#

Bluewatermarine in Pwllheli have a couple on e bay at the moment with stainless steel frames, might be a good starting point.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chaparral...cessories_SM&hash=item4cfd916a37#ht_546wt_744

We have one of the cheap ones and its been fine for 4 years but the poles are a soft aluminium and do bend if you lean on them. Not sure I would leave it up all the time though, would want a stronger stainless steel frame for that.

Pete
 
Last edited:
I found the hard part was bending 1" ss tube without kinking it - even using a hired tube bender. Ended up using right angle fittings between vertical and horizontal tubes, and putting a slow bend (i.e. big radius) into the horizontal pieces with a wooden dowell inside the tubes to stop kinking. It ended up not as rigid or strong as if the tubes were a single piece from deck to top and across and back to deck, but adequate. Not having access to a sewing machine, I fitted eyelets to for and aft edges and stretched lines (zig-zaged) under to tension. Sides were clamped between Al angle. Cost of materials about 15% of quoted cost, with better quality cloth.
 
Interlude said:
I found the hard part was bending 1" ss tube without kinking it - even using a hired tube bender. Ended up using right angle fittings between vertical and horizontal tubes, and putting a slow bend (i.e. big radius) into the horizontal pieces with a wooden dowell inside the tubes to stop kinking. It ended up not as rigid or strong as if the tubes were a single piece from deck to top and across and back to deck, but adequate. Not having access to a sewing machine, I fitted eyelets to for and aft edges and stretched lines (zig-zaged) under to tension. Sides were clamped between Al angle. Cost of materials about 15% of quoted cost, with better quality cloth.
Click to expand...

Most engineering firms can't bend ss tube without kinking, but it is possible to find one who has the facility. Alternative is the one Don Casey suggests in This Old Boat. 6 metres of 316 1" tube cost £42 from Aalco, so errors will not break the bank.
 
Jane made a sprayhood and it is the most difficult piece of boat canvas to make because of the curves. If you have one already that needs to be replaced then you have a pattern, if not follow the advice given above. Probably the most difficult part is sewing in the clear vinyl panels which should be in seams not just sewn to the canvas.

Before making the sprayhood she had made two sail covers, three awninngs, a cover for the windvane sail,a cover for the winvane, outboard engine, eight water/diesel containers, GPS, Sat C aerial, 2 fender pockets for six fenders, a deck bag, a bag for the twin headsails that are kept on deck, winch cover and a finally bag for a life ring and line

The other things you will need is a sewing machine with a walking foot, most of the canvas machines are made of steel. Use Dabond UV resistant thread and Sunbrella canvas that lasts longer than any other. You will also ned a hot knife to seal the canvas. All the materials and kit needed are available at www.sailrite. com.

Having seen how long it took Jane to make I would suggest you get it made rather than try DIY, especially if you don't have much experience with canvas.
 
As others have said, a DIY bimini is certainly possible if you are good with your hands, but it is quite a lot of work. Do you really need a full bimini or, like us, are you just looking for protection from the sun and rain?

We got two or three quotes that were acceptable, but nobody could come up with a design that was acceptable. Our genoa winches are pretty much right in the middle of the cockpit sides and there was no convenient place for the bimini mounting brackets that would allow the winches to be used.

We came to the conclusion that, if we could not sail with the bimini in place (albeit folded back), then we might as well investigate awnings since they are far cheaper. Our Jeanneau has twin backstays, so it was easy for us to do it ourselves. We got two shroud cleats and attached them to the backstays at about the same height as the top of the sprayhood. Then we cut a rectangle of fabric that covers the cockpit from the sprayhood to the backstays, fitted webbing straps at the front and rear to match the handholds on the sprayhood bar and the cleats on the backstays plus some guy lines that attach to the guard rails to keet it tensioned. The result works as well as a bimini, costs a fraction of the price, is easy to stow and can be made to look quite professional. I say "can be made" because we ae still using the proof-of-concept that we lashed up with some spare fabric to get the design right. We have the Sunbrella to do a finished job, but not the time to do it! :)
 
There is a big difference between a bimini and an awning. A well made bimini can be used underway as well as providing shelter at anchor. Different boats and cockpit layouts require different designs which is why you need to speak to people with experience on making them for different boats. Very few people can do this in the UK because very few boats are fitted with good biminis.

However, go to Spain or Greece and you will find more expertise. Just about every charter boat is fitted with one so the expertise is there.

Surprised that you are unable to get one made to fit your boat. The boat is used for charter, so somebody will have designed one that works. One of the constraints is always swinging winch handles, but you may well find that having a bimini you can use under way outweighs the inconvenience of not always being able to take full turns on the winch handles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top