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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Biminis

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/06/2008 : 09:02:56

On our wish list is a bimini.

Since our boat is standard rig, it should be able to fit without much ado, but I have a few questions...

1. Is there a model that will work under sail, or are they only good at anchor on our boats
2. With regards to installation, I have seen some that attach on the sheet lead tracks, some that install directly to the deck, and some that do strange and wonderful things that can't be described with words. What works for you?
3. Is it worth it to install a boom tent temporarily until we get the bimini installed?
4. Does colour make much difference? Is it better to keep it white (cooler) or be stylish (blue in our case)

Any other advice?

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 10:14:45

1. Yes! That's the advantage of a bimini over a boom-tent.
2. I installed on the deck just forward of the winch islands (coamings). In that position, the mainsheet cleared the corners of the bimini and the bimini partially covered the companionway, which is nice. A track installation is a nice idea--I didn't do that because I decided to use telescoping struts (see below) instead of straps on the rear legs, to hold the bimini up when it was folded. So a sliding base wouldn't seem to do me much good.
3. YMMV.
4. Royal blue is the off-the-shelf color in most places, and therefore generally a cheaper option. I elected to have matching sail cover and bimini in Sunbrella "Toast". Matter of taste vs budget. I know people with dark navy blue--it doesn't seem to be hotter under there.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/06/2008 10:19:50

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 11:55:34

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 12:47:23

We have a bimini on our standard rig and use it while under sail. I couldn't imagine sailing in 90+ degree weather here in OK without it. I take it off in the Fall and back on in late Spring when things start to heat up. It looks a lot like Don's above, but it rides much closer to the boom. Only problem with that is that it can wear in spots where the boom rubs. It is not attached at the toe rails, but on separate attachment points. When I get a new one, I will plan the toe rail installation.

Edited by - on

Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 13:08:28

Don, is that a 135 you're flying with a standard rig ?

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 14:44:56

We were able to move the bimini from our C-22 to the C-25 without modification when we bought the C-25 almost 2 years ago. It is 36Hx78Wx72L I think. With that transition our attachment points were limited, and we ended up installing the new mounting brackets on the deck about half way between the genoa track and the cockpit coaming about 6 inches in front of the winch islands. It does make going forward somewhat difficult. Placing it on the coaming makes it easier to go forward with it up, but you lose some side-to-side coverage. Also, with a std rig, a 36" high binimi is likely a good fit. Since ours attaches on the deck below the coaming it's a bit low, but it actually works better for our tall rig.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 14:48:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Otey
 Don, is that a 135 you're flying with a standard rig ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes it is.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 14:56:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 We have a bimini on our standard rig and use it while under sail...It looks a lot like Don's above, but it rides much closer to the boom.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When close hauled with the mainsheet well hardened, my boom too is just an inch or two from the bimini. In the picture above, the boom appears farther from the bimini because the boom was let out while on a reach.

Edited by - dlucier on 05/06/2008 15:01:44

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 15:03:00

Thanks everyone. Now for a new tack on this - what do I look for when I'm buying? I am guessing sunbrella for the canvas rather than that vinylester or whatever its called, apparently 36" high is about right, what width? just measure and match? Are there different "strut systems", can you opt for more or fewer bows to hold the canvas up?

I also saw a pic once of a C-25 in the north channel with a tent-type enclosure of the whole cockpit. That would be great for keeping out the bugs up here - has anyone seen one of these? (the cockpit tent, not the bugs). Here is a cockpit tent on another boat so you know what I am talking about. This guy had one custom made by his sailmaker.

More photos are shown on his website at http://www.quietboating.com/Modifications.html

Edited by - Prospector on 05/06/2008 15:12:00

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 15:13:16

My boat had lots of goodies when I bought it, but no bimini.

I made a bimini to match some designs discussed in earlier threads - 6' long and about 6" under the boom, so it extends over the cabin a few inches. The sun is pretty strong here, and the bimini provides wonderful shade.

The color is white on top with a "Pacific Blue" cotton liner. The top was cut from a rectangle along the luff of the previous-previous owner's roller furling jib I found in the sail locker. Dacron attachment loops were sewn under various spots. Without the blue liner the sun was too intense, but now it's perfect shade. The base of the bimini is attached to the coaming and the corners clipped to the pushpit and fairleads on the toerail.

The other parts of the sail were used to sew together a heavy riding sail (the 3 corners attached), and a firewood bag for home. I have some dacron left. Oh, I also made a "tiller shade" that ties onto the end of the tiller to prevent sunburn on my steering hand.

A 30' long zipper bag (roller furling jib zipper sock) of Pacific Blue Sunbrella was cut into 2 - 15' lengths, zipped together double-wide and used as the bimini cover. Thanks, PO.

Didn't cost much more than $25, I think, but I must admit it was a lot of work. A boat unit is a boat unit, and a bimini is such a simple device.

Fair winds!

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2008 : 15:21:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 Thanks everyone. Now for a new tack on this - what do I look for when I'm buying? I am guessing sunbrella for the canvas rather than that vinylester or whatever its called, apparently 36" high is about right, what width? just measure and match? Are there different "strut systems", can you opt for more or fewer bows to hold the canvas up?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It's best to measure your own cockpit width, and length, and make sure the boom clears the bimini. My bimini extends just over the raised pop top a few inches for either sun or drizzle protection.

Some like to have a dodger attached to the bimini with a zipper, but I think that's overkill on our little boats. The C-27 in the next slip has a dodger, but I think that's more important on long trips where you are stuck outside in foul weather. In foul weather, I just sail in and go home.

Lots of options.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 10:21:12

Okay,, I am convinced that I have to get one for my boat. It will have to wait until next year when I can get some more $$$$$$. From the pictures herein, I simply fancy the thought of having one. Thanks for sharing.

Anyone make one from a sailnet kit?

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 10:23:45

I meant Sailrite

http://www.sailrite.com/FAQ?search=bimini

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 11:23:56

I sail with a Bimini and the main reefed because of being a tall rig. I use the track at the toe rail which on the 79 goes to the stern. I now store the Bimini in it's cover as far back as the back stay so it is completely out of the way for sailing, learned this from the Forum. I have installed snaps around the edge so I can have a sunscreen for the late afternoons at the dock. Because of a week of rain last summer on a cruise I snapped a clear plastic cover at the front edge to keep the rain off of the skipper.

The Bimini is a stock WM 6 foot wide.

Edited by - on

Scumbucket
1st Mate

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USA
53 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 11:28:47

This has been an interesting topic as I am in need of one for my boat as well.

The Arizona Sun will just bake you!

Edited by - on

Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 11:54:38

Jim, your canvas looks great. Is that a dinghy in tow I see thru the stern rail?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 12:18:08

I suggest, for the height measurement, buy a bimini that's a little taller than you think will fit under the boom, and then cut the bottoms of the main bow to get just the right fit. It's hard to tell what will be just right until you get it onto the boat.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2008 : 14:01:22

Dave's right. I did order the taller and adjusted the height. I had to make a tool that would crimp but now would just use a screw. The frame is two tubes, one inside the other, which gives it a lot of strength. I could carry the Grand Daughter's kayak on the Bimini when motoring.

My dingy is an 8' Livingston with a 9.8 Mercury which is an over kill but could get me back to a marina tied along side of the C25 for power. It is a kick for me as the dingy does move right along when running errands.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 08:46:35

I don't have anything to offer except that I love my Bimini and would probably roast without it! Looking at my picture the thing I might do differently if I were installing one is to put it on tracks so I could move it forward and aft.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 10:16:05

Check out boatcovers.com. I bought our bimini from them and have been very pleased with it. Price was reasonable and delivery was prompt.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 18:03:43

I think we discovered this last summer, but I had forgotten and re-discovered it again today. A 36" tall bimini mounted on the deck between the cockpit coaming and the genoa track is low enough to sail with a tall rig main fully hoisted. You may need to use a little bit of topping lift, but it works. With winds 5-10, we had a delightful pre-Mother's Day sail with our daughter before she goes back to St. Louis tomorrow. I started out with the main reefed because of the bimini, but after sighting along the boom, i realized that we could keep the boom right at the bottom of the sail track opening on the mast and have just enough room to unreef the main, and it worked!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 18:37:31

Dave,

Is that a bimini or a flybridge?

Edited by - on

gregloew
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2008 : 08:58:09

The postings here are great! I had a catalina 22 with a bimini that was mounted to the deck forward of the winches. It worked well - but sometimes I wished I could shift it up and back based on sun location. My 'newer' 1984 catalina 25 doesn't have one - and needs one. I have seen mentions of using tracks (versus fixed point) to mount them. I was wondering if anyone has tried mounting to the genoa track - (I suppose aft of the jib sheet turning pulley)? Seems like this would require a wider bimini, would provide the fore/aft adjustment, but might interfere with jibsheet operation, and width might encumber going forward on the boat. Any thoughts? Unless this makes sense, I'll probably just go with the narrower track kit from Catalina direct. Happy Sailing!

Edited by - on

Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2008 : 09:45:22

A couple of things to consider: No woven fabric blocks 100% of UV light, but dark fabrics block more, that is why more biminis are made from blues and other dark colors. Also consider the quality of the tubing, stainless is going to hold up much better than aluminum. Most of the time when you see a bimini wrecked by wind it's made of aluminum. You get what you pay for and it's better to only buy it once, rather than replacing it often due to inferior materials, so it's really worth it in the long run to get a quality product.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2008 : 10:59:10

Also, buy stainless deck fittings, not plastic! And, our bimini from boatcovers.com came with a free boot(cover) in your choice of colors. I ordered the bimini in tan sharkskin fabric, which has worked out very well. Just wanted something different from your basic blue or white. The boot is royal blue which matches the main cover.

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/10/2008 11:00:18

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2008 : 05:55:16

I took measurements on my standard rig (don't remember the measuremennts now), and bought one off the shelf from these folks, www.gmitopdesign.com

Good price, easy assembly and I'm very glad to have it. I sail with it up in hot SC.
They have serval sizes to choose from.

Edited by - on

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