Is a bimini essential in the tropics?

[typhoonNige]

We are getting close to departing on our travels and expect to end up in sunnier climes (Atlantic islands then Caribbean, maybe Pacific). The configuration of our rig (long, low boom and mainsheet traveller just fwd of the wheel) make fitting a good size bimini for shade at the helm awkward. The conventional two hoops frame design I am considering will also impede my fishing activities! Is there another way? Big hats maybe? Any suggestions from those who have been there / done that gratefully received.

 

[Cardo]

I can't personally advise what kind of bimini would work - maybe ask a bimini making company? I'm sure they've come up with plenty of ideas in the past.

But what I will say is that even in the Med our bimini has been essential. When the sun is up during the day, it hits you HARD. You have to have shade. Inside will be hot, so you need an outside area with shade where you can be comfortable. Ideally, you want something that can at least cover you at the helm when on the go.

 

[typhoonNige]

I can't personally advise what kind of bimini would work - maybe ask a bimini making company? I'm sure they've come up with plenty of ideas in the past.

But what I will say is that even in the Med our bimini has been essential. When the sun is up during the day, it hits you HARD. You have to have shade. Inside will be hot, so you need an outside area with shade where you can be comfortable. Ideally, you want something that can at least cover you at the helm when on the go.

Thanks Cardo. I have spoken to a couple of companies at the So'ton boat show and they will build a bimini at a price, but our rig limits it's size. I have recently acquired a used bimini from a friend which has promise for our application after a few mods, but having done temporary fixes to see how it would work in practice I would love to find another way!
Maybe we just have the wrong boat!

 

[Tranona]

Yes, some sort of shade is just about essential. One of the reasons why coachroof mounted mainsheets are popular is that it makes it easier to fit a Bimini. One possibility is to convert to a German mainsheet system and do away with the cockpit traveller. Also worth talking to an experienced canvas worker such as C J in Chichester about what is possible on your boat.

 

[Cardo]

Maybe we're just wrong to have a boat!

There, I fixed that for you.

Biminis are not cheap. Ours, which was pretty standard, cost the best part of £2k. But to be fair, you gets what you pays for. I would not be without ours, it has been excellent.

 

[Cardo]

Yes, some sort of shade is just about essential. One of the reasons why coachroof mounted mainsheets are popular is that it makes it easier to fit a Bimini. One possibility is to convert to a German mainsheet system and do away with the cockpit traveller. Also worth talking to an experienced canvas worker such as C J in Chichester about what is possible on your boat.

+1
We ruled out any boats with in-cockpit mainsheets. They may be useful for racing, but I think they're dangerous and are just a pain!

Our bimini came from C&J. Not cheap, but I'd recommend them.

 

[affinite]

Based on our experience in the Med Id say yes.
Big hats dont stop the sun beating down on your back and we really suffered in the couple of months that we didnt have one.
We too had a low boom and awkward mainsheet but managed to get a bimini made which fitted and allowed us to have solar panels mounted on it - see pic

 

[typhoonNige]

+1
They may be useful for racing, but I think they're dangerous

As one of my crew discovered when racing!

 

[vyv_cox]

Our mainsheet is immediately aft of the bridgedeck. This limits the forward length of the bimini but it is perfectly adequate. We can move the mainsheet to one side to allow a full-length awning at anchor. Essential equipment though - Jill has suffered some minor skin damage on her face due to not having one in our first season in the Med. Makes a huge difference to comfort and health.

 

[macd]

As said, a full-time bimini is a major boon in hot climates. But however many miles you do you'll almost certainly spend a great deal more time berthed/anchored than you will under way, so shade that can be rigged under those circumstances would be a more-than-useful halfway house.

Consider, too what sort of rig you'll be using. Since most of your proposed sailing will presumably be down the trades, will you actually be using the mainsail very much? If not, it's probably quite feasible to rig a canopy from a boom properly secured on a gallows. That's obviously not possible with a conventional Bermudan.

 

[jordanbasset]

We had a fairly large bimini and also had some sides that zipped into the bimini that came about half way down so to give more shade when the sun was not directly overhead. It made a big difference for us, but understand some people would not need it

 

[typhoonNige]

We have a plenty of shade from a boom tent at anchor (one advantage of the long boom). By rigging the 2 frames of the bimini fwd and aft of the backstay we can get about 5' x 10' of shade. With side panels this may be enough. We did our shakedown cruise around Britain last year so shade was rarely a requirement - even if it was the best UK summer in years!

 

[Aquarella]

I would agree with others here that a bimini is neccesary. I have a permanent bimini on my boat. The stainless frame was made in Italy, the rest I did myself. It's high enough to stand under even when standing on deck.( My late husband used to fish standing under it) Its zippered on far aft of the aft stay so the helmsman is well protected and it has a zip- on forward extension. I even made side pieces to roll down when the sun is lower but still frying you. Here are some pics taken from the mast top and the dinghy.
http://yachtswoman.blogspot.se/2013/05/the-boat.html

 

[Chris_Robb]

We have a plenty of shade from a boom tent at anchor (one advantage of the long boom). By rigging the 2 frames of the bimini fwd and aft of the backstay we can get about 5' x 10' of shade. With side panels this may be enough. We did our shakedown cruise around Britain last year so shade was rarely a requirement - even if it was the best UK summer in years!

A boom tent at anchor is obviously one way to handle this, but we would have fried if, when sailing, we did not have a bimini. To my mind its absolutely essential to have one when sailing. Even if your skin is as tough as old boots, what happens if you have a ginger on board? The sun could cause him serious damage. You need to find a way, and you need one for the helmsman and one for the crew.

 

[charles_reed]

I've found an awning essential in even the Med.

For various reasons, don't rig my bimini under sail, but it would be impossible to stand the heat if I couldn't abandon the helming to the autopilot.
Many people, when anchored or tied up, cover the whole boat with scrim which is a tremendous help and nothing like as expensive as a made-to-measure bimini.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I would agree with others here that a bimini is neccesary. I have a permanent bimini on my boat. The stainless frame was made in Italy, the rest I did myself. It's high enough to stand under even when standing on deck.( My late husband used to fish standing under it) Its zippered on far aft of the aft stay so the helmsman is well protected and it has a zip- on forward extension. I even made side pieces to roll down when the sun is lower but still frying you. Here are some pics taken from the mast top and the dinghy.
http://yachtswoman.blogspot.se/2013/05/the-boat.html

Wow! In answer to the original question that is a bimini and a half !! The rest of your website and blog is far more interesting - the paintings are beautiful, and your mantra of "Sailing On Single Handed" is just fantastic !

 

[Cardo]

We would a fairly large bimini and also had some sides that zipped into the bimini that came about half way down so to give more shade when the sun was not directly overhead. It made a big difference for us, but understand some people would not need it

Another post from me! We also have the zip-on mesh side panels. They are fantastic for evenings when the sun starts beating in the from the side. They take the sting out of the sun whilst allowing wind the go past and still let in light.

Wow! In answer to the original question that is a bimini and a half !! The rest of your website and blog is far more interesting - the paintings are beautiful, and your mantra of "Sailing On Single Handed" is just fantastic !

Certainly looks like a lovely boat. We'll keep an eye out for you this summer!

 

[jordanbasset]

Another post from me! We also have the zip-on mesh side panels. They are fantastic for evenings when the sun starts beating in the from the side. They take the sting out of the sun whilst allowing wind the go past and still let in light.

Yes I agree about the zip on mesh, if we have another boat it will be a definite for us

 

[typhoonNige]

Thanks for all the informed opinions. We will be adapting and fitting the donated bimini before we set off. Mesh side panels sound a nice idea too.
I may have to rethink some of my plans for big game fishing with all that extra hardware around the stern but its a small price to pay for a comfortable seat at the helm.

 

[macd]

The mesh, or at least a reputable brand of it, is called Phifertex. Good UV resistance. There are various weaves which allow through differing amounts of light (and breeze), although 30% (usually described as 70% shade) is perhaps the most common.