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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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New bimini installed

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2006 : 20:29:54

Hi Robert,

I'm glad so many people are finding this helpful. Gee, these companies should give me a commission

.
-How much mounting hardware was included?
It includes two basic nylon brackets and then of course the straps, screws/bolts and eyelets. I upgraded to those stainless steel brackets for a more solid mount onto the track slides.

Yeah, I got everything at Defender. Cassy custom ordered anything that they did not have listed. If you email them, just list the part number and ask if they can order it. You shouldn't have any problem.

You don't have to wait to order the other parts. There really isn't that much to it other than the bimini, two track slides, two stainless steel brackets w/easy to remove pins, and then just find out what size of screws/nuts you will need. I should have written those screw sizes down to make this even more complete/easier.

A quick update from today:
I went for a short sail today and got some more use out of my bimini. I LOVE IT! One thing I am debating though is moving it forward slightly more. The main sheet doesn't apply pressure to the bimini, but it does rub it sometimes. I'm just afraid that it may wear out the aft edge of Sunbrella. If I move it forward more, I may then have to remove the forward straps from the stanchions they are currently clipped to. Hopefully they will reach the next stanchions, if not I may have to use eyelets. I much prefer using the stanchions for the straps because nothing gets in the way when going forward, you just have to duck/crouch down. Anyone have any input about whether the main sheet may cause too much wear? I'm thinking about heading out tomorrow and may test out the placement some more.

Good luck with the projects!

Edited by - on

esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2006 : 21:12:22

Pelican, I just ordered everything Justin did. If you read through this thread and my entitled Binini on its way, you will find all the parts and info you need. I will post as my project progresses.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 11:08:43

I tested out the bimini more on Sunday. I moved it forward another notch or two to prevent the back edge from rubbing the main sheet. The front straps still worked fine being clipped to the stanchions directly below. I used my winch handles for the genoa and the frame does interfere. This is no big deal since I have two speed winches, so I can crank both directions. Here is a photo:

Do all C-25s have two speed main head sail winches from the factory?

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 07:29:28

Another update after this weekend:

I think I am going to try to shorten the bimini height a couple inches. I tested out the clearance a bit more and found that when the boom vang is tight, the boom doesn't clear the bimini. I also tested out the clearance when the main is reefed and I need maybe 2-3" to clear the boom. I think cutting a few inches off the main leg will work.

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PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 16:32:01

We spent all of last week on the boat at the lake. The bimini installation went smooth thanks to all of the help and excellent pictures in this and some of the archived threads on the topic. Dave had already mounted the bases to the cars, so we just had to put the bimini together, slide the cars onto the tracks and then attach the bimini to the cars. We played with height and forward/backward position throughout the week. We made a couple of loops of 1/8" line that we attached to a forward stanchion base and are using that right now to attach the forward straps. It made a huge difference in our comfort. We had some inclement weather a couple of the nights and having a "roof" over the cockpit helped with that soggy claustrophobic feeling you can get when you get rained in. Thanks again.

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esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2006 : 22:54:01

Well, I got my bimini installed today. Followed the exact set up Jjustin used. I did not get to sail with it up so adjustments may need to be made. I have not gotten pics yet but it is just like yours Justin. Thanks for the thorough info and pictures. I got the aqua green as it matches the boom cover. I really like the navy blue color and may change to that when these wear out. Installation was very easy even though I left the instructions at my office along with the boot. Glad I read them friday before leaving for the weekend. I'll try her out next weekend.

Again Thanks Justin ,et.al. for the great info on this site.

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 10:38:53

I've been meaning to post a small update about my bimini. I wanted to lower it a few inches to clear the boom when the sail is up either all the way or reefed since it was rubbing slightly. Dave helped me out with this project. We drilled out the rivets on each main support end caps and pulled them off. I then cut off 5” of tubing off each leg. I was originally thinking I would cut off closer to the V joint where the other poles attach, which is about 10”, but I didn't want to cut off too much. The aluminum cuts easily with a hack saw and we noticed the poles are double layered to provide more structural strength. I'm not sure if all biminis are built this way, but that was nice to find. We then took the plastic end caps and mounted them into my track slide mounts. We just test fitted the bimini placing it in the mounts and set it up. We then raised the main sail with a reef to test the clearance. I was surprised at the amount of clearance I now had.

I didn't measure, but it was probably 10-12” of clearance when reefed. I then raised the sail all the way and the boom was maybe 4-6” lower, still plenty of clearance. The main sheet now does not touch the bimini at all with the boom in any position.

My goose neck is adjustable and slides in the track which makes a difference. Using some old geometry, I calculated I lowered the bimini about 3.5”. It is slightly noticeable when standing beneath it, but there is plenty of room for sitting. I used to be able to stand and just tilt my head, now I have to slouch over a bit (I'm 6'). Here is a photo looking forward, so you have to crawl through that opening to get on deck which I don't have much of a problem with.

After testing the fit, Dave drilled new holes in the tubing through the end caps and put in a small screw to secure it. The only other change I may make is shortening the rear nylon straps and maybe adding a small piece of line to the forward straps to reach the next forward stanchions instead of the ones directly below them. I'm very happy with the results and am glad to have clearance with the sail full or reefed.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2008 : 14:51:23

Justin, I am starting my planning to change out our old bimini to a new one using your method. When you state the measurements, you use: The size I bought is 46"H 79"-84"W and 6’ long.

I have a couple of questions:
1. What is meant by "79"-84"W? Does it depend where you place the cars on the genoa track? ..meaning somewhere between 79 and 84 inches?
and
2. Would an 8' bimini be too long for the C25?

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2008 : 07:07:16

Hi Mike,

Those are the measurements the manufacturer lists. The 79-84" should be that the legs can flex between those dimensions for mounting and in my case on the genoa track.
I would stay with a 6' bimini. An 8' usually will not provide any more coverage over the cockpit because I already have my 6' as far back as possible without interfering with the main sheet at all points of sail. The two extra feet would go further over the cabin top and only make climbing forward more difficult.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2008 : 07:20:54

Thanks Justin that is what i was guessing, but just wanted to make sure before I spent the money.

BTW: On another thread re bimini's, someone has indicated that Catalina Direct should be soon carrying the genoa cars with the bimini brackets already attached. I hope that is true so I can save some time when I am ready to install.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2008 : 16:39:51

My genoa tracks arrived today, I have the brackets with the removable pin. I merely need to spend time with the grind stone and drive to fasten the two parts together. Oh yeah,, get the stainless steel bolts too.

No Bimini yet, I am still researching the color of my main sail cover so I can, hopefully, get a matching color. Sunbrella samples are on their way in the mail.

Stay tuned.

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