Kelpie
Well-Known Member
Just to update, the bimini is now nearly finished, barring some minor details.
I went with a rigid steel frame with a large panel either side, and then two smaller panels in the middle. This left a gap of about 500*1200 at the front, and I used 5mm perspex to fill that in. Keeps the rain off and lets me see the mainsail.
At the front, I haven't been able to arrange any sort of mid-span support (it would foul the sprayhood). I do have a mid-span upright at the aft end.
The narrow gaps between the panels are filled in using strips of twin-wall polycarbonate, stuck down with sealant.
The main compromise I have made is that I cannot stand on the bimini. I also gave up on having an opening in it. So access to the boom is a bit harder than I would like, but not impossible.
All that's left to do now is to add a small upstand around the edges and some sort of downpipe, and then I will have a rainwater collection system.
I went with a rigid steel frame with a large panel either side, and then two smaller panels in the middle. This left a gap of about 500*1200 at the front, and I used 5mm perspex to fill that in. Keeps the rain off and lets me see the mainsail.
At the front, I haven't been able to arrange any sort of mid-span support (it would foul the sprayhood). I do have a mid-span upright at the aft end.
The narrow gaps between the panels are filled in using strips of twin-wall polycarbonate, stuck down with sealant.
The main compromise I have made is that I cannot stand on the bimini. I also gave up on having an opening in it. So access to the boom is a bit harder than I would like, but not impossible.
All that's left to do now is to add a small upstand around the edges and some sort of downpipe, and then I will have a rainwater collection system.
