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Hull 922 Bimini Frame

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Carl in LA
Captain

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USA
284 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/31/2017 : 21:40:46

Hi All:

Closing in on the last few enhancements to Island Dreams prepping hopefully for a decade of future service.

I wanted a stand-up bimini but did not want to secure the frame to the stern rail seats. I wanted the stern rail seats to have lots of elbow room.

So I attached a frame to the rail that is above the fuel compartment. The stainless was bent and welded at House of Stainless in Gardena, CA.

It is hinge mounted so it can be folded down for job crane launching.

I'll say it... it is not an obvious fit for the boat. Perhaps with the front bow and canvas in place it will look a little more like it belongs.

Catalina 250 - Pretty Good Boat

Dave Brown
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2017 : 15:22:03

OK, I,m watching this.

I have the same boat, #411, but with a cock pit Bimini, on rail's.
so it can be adjusted, for and aft.
I have also, re-drill my boom block hole, Fwd, a little more than a foot. [ more room for a bigger Bimini}! and installed a 6 to 1 block.
( less work )
I had the foot of my main sail,(clue end only) re-cut, 8", so the boom is higher. ( clears the Bimini )
So, I'm watching this.

Dave B.

Carl in LA
Captain

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USA
284 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2017 : 19:22:11

A few more segments of stainless mounted...

How about a hard top instead of canvas?

Catalina 250 - Pretty Good Boat

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

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Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2017 : 00:47:54

That's interesting aft support frame. Looks like Dodge Challenger's back lights :-)

Anyway I think it's very soft to compress from the top so you will have to add more vertical reinforcement tubes in the middle part.

PS: Regarding the hard-top idea, are you able to sail with it? I mean the clearance around the sail and boom?

Good job anyway!

Dalpol Phobos 21, 2013, Sole Mio, hull #27, current adventures - We sail Phobos 21

PO of Catalina C25, 1978, High Anxiety, hull #701, SR, FK, L-dinette, inboard diesel Volvo Penta MD2010C w/saildrive - more info

Edited by - Tomas Kruska on 05/02/2017 00:52:12

Carl in LA
Captain

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USA
284 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2017 : 07:13:26

Thanks Tomas for the cool observation... I see the similarity too.

The plastics vendor suggested there would not be a plastic sheet product suitable and recommended building a fiberglass sheet - rather than go through the multiple steps to build a fiberglass hard top I'll stick with fabric.

Here is a photo of a sheet of Duta Skrim patterning material as procured from Sailrite spread over the frame. The Dura Skrim is adhered to the frame by a bit of Seamstick laid on tape as depicted in Sailrite bimini fabrication videos on youtube.

I am a bit concerned about how to sew the zippers as they approach the outboard ends of the bimini fabric. Sailrite basically says to migrate the path of the zipper about 1 3/4 inches and that will take up the slack as the fabric wraps around the end-curve of the bow.

We shall see...

Catalina 250 - Pretty Good Boat

Edited by - Carl in LA on 05/26/2017 07:19:53

Carl in LA
Captain

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USA
284 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2017 : 06:59:59

An update with progress pictures...

The pattern and the material are just a little big for working in my studio so I had to relocate to the patio... did not like laying down the fabric on the concrete but then I declared it will be exposed to the elements for several years so go ahead. Perhaps could have laid down a sheet of plastic drop cloth under - maybe next time.

Then cutting the Sunbrella - hot knife is the only way to go as it locks the edges of the fabric while cutting. On smaller cuts that will be hemmed I will use scissors.

The Sailrite LS-1... it flat chews through that material... far easier to use than the older Pfaff 130 (in the background) that I used in the past. One piece of advise the loft gave me when discussing was to use lifetime thread... the argument was why would you sew with polyester thread that will breakdown in three years when the Sunbrella is guaranteed for eight? I agreed and purchased the PTFE thread from Sailrite - super expensive but still agree that the bite of the price is offset by not having to restitch that thing before its lifespan is over.

Laid out to see the progress...

And then down to the boat for a test fit. Choose to test fit as I had not done this task before and was unsure of how the fit would turn out. Fit is pretty good - I made a few marks and will compare them with the pattern as I finish sewing this bimini fabric.

More to follow...

Best to all,

Carl

Catalina 250 - Pretty Good Boat

Edited by - Carl in LA on 06/02/2017 17:57:57

Carl in LA
Captain

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USA
284 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2017 : 06:43:26

Bimini fabric installed.

Fit is decent... a little soft in the middle. Perhaps the fabric could have extended further over the sides giving an opportunity to stretch-tighten across the top... but it is serviceable as is.

Great crafting experience working with zippers and reinforcing.

The powerful Sailrite sewing machine made the task doable... using the less powerful machine - it could be done but would have been more tedious.

The mission was to have stand up clearance and broad coverage and both are achieved.

Catalina 250 - Pretty Good Boat

Edited by - Carl in LA on 06/06/2017 06:48:29

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.