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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Really dumb bimini question

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CatalinaGuy
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/30/2002 : 14:34:34

I'm sure this is a silly question <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>, but when you sail with your bimini fully open, how do you determine correct sail trim? Do you have enough visibility from under the bimini to see the main and jib sail surfaces and telltales to adjust trim?

Thanks

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 18:15:03

I usually look forward beneath the bimini to see my lower genoa telltales and over the back of the bimini for the upper telltales, main telltales, and windex. I also look from the sides of the bimini to see the windex.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 18:23:12

Probably the simplest solution (there's the K.I.S.S. principle again<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>) is to put a window in the bimini...
Derek (who doesn't have a bimini!)

Edited by - on

Tray
Navigator

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Namibia
224 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 19:34:01

I have a couple of cheap wind indicators on my shrouds that I can see with the bimini up. I think they only 10 bucks at West Marine.

Tray
C-250WB #554
"Weeny Bean"

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 20:26:32

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Probably the simplest solution (there's the K.I.S.S. principle again<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>) is to put a window in the bimini...
Derek (who doesn't have a bimini!)
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Derek!! Genius!! Amazing idea!! Rig a fancy device to keep the sun off the people in the cockpit, and then put a WINDOW in it! I love it!! For maximum visibility of telltales and windex, I'm gonna have my bimini made completely of clear vinyl! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/30/2002 20:58:43

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 21:03:33

"Probably the simplest solution is to put a window in the bimini..." - Derek Crawford

The simplest solution is to just peek out from under the bimini. A window in the bimini just defeats the purpose of a shade blocking cover and even if there was a bimini window it probably wouldn't help you much looking forward to the lower genoa telltales.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 22:55:16

Guys......,
I am with Derek, my Bimini has a small window with a flap that rolls up and a velcro strap to hold the rolled flap while sailing. When motoring or just cruising around I can close the flap. I can easily see enough of the sails to determine proper sail trim and my Bimini is as big as I could get it. I can not imagine (since I and most Bimini's at our Marina) having to stick my head out just to see the wind index. If the little window in the bimini was not there then of course you would have to ocassionaly peak under to check the sail trim etc. My Bimini came from C&C sails in Houston and they asked me when I ordered it if I wanted a window, so I ordered the option since all the boats around me had a window....have fun
Steve Steakley

Edited by - ssteakley on 09/30/2002 22:56:56

Edited by - ssteakley on 10/10/2002 11:18:12

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2002 : 23:18:29

OK, Steve, but Derek didn't say anything about a flap. Now it's actually starting to shape up to a good idea! Now, what about a dodger (with an attachable awning for when your're at anchor)? We're exploring all of the options...

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2002 : 00:37:31

Steve, aren't you being a little bit over-dramatic?

"I can not imagine having to stick my head out just to see the wind index..." - Steve Steakley

You honestly "can not imagine" having to peek out from under a bimini?

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5937 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2002 : 10:34:48

I have yarn telltales attached to each of my upper shrouds, and another one attached to my backstay. No windex. All are visible from the cockpit. They tell me the direction of the apparent wind. Once I know the direction of the apparent wind, I know from experience how to trim the sails for a beat, a close reach, a beam reach, a broad reach and a run. When you’re cruising, it usually isn’t critical that your sail trim be absolutely perfect. When you’re racing, you won’t have the Bimini up in the first place. I never have been able to use a windex. It gives me a crick in the neck to look up at the top of the mast all the time. Also, a windex doesn’t tell you anything that you can’t learn from a few well-placed yarn telltales.

I have to agree generally with Derek and Steve S. We get too reliant on windexes and telltales. How would you trim your sails if your windex was broken? You’d manage. When we first learned to sail we were taught to feel the wind on our faces. Using that alone as a gauge, you can sail the boat a lot better than you realize. You just need to practice sailing without paying attention to those indicators, and develop confidence in your ability to sense wind direction.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2002 : 21:35:11

Don,
it probably read as over dramatic, but I am really a very practicel guy. When I am just cruising around, that little window is sufficient to see the mainsail tell tales, wind index and I can see the lower jib tell tales and rely on the admiral to take care of jib trim. When Racing, like Steve Milby wrote, I fold up the Bimini and use all the indicators, wind index, tell tales, other boats, etc. I can imagine peeking constantly around the Bimini if the little window did not exist, but I do not have to... I really like S. Milby's comment about the wind in you face...that is a great way to just cruise around,
Steve

Edited by - ssteakley on 10/06/2002 21:36:55

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2002 : 02:05:28

Really dumb bimini answer

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
put a window in the bimini...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Derek,
You're a hoot! At Microsoft it is considered high praise when Bill Gates tells an employee "that's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!"

BTW, anyone know if Bill Gates sails?

Edited by - OJ on 10/08/2002 02:08:38

Edited by - OJ on 10/08/2002 02:14:12

Edited by - OJ on 10/08/2002 02:17:52

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2002 : 10:08:34

Guys, if putting a window in a bimini is such a dumb idea, why do I see many biminis in our marina with them (yes, and they all have velcro flaps over them)??? Maybe us Texans are more intelligent than we are given credit for <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> and the rest of the Country hasn't caught up yet <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I've sailed on boats with them in 100+ heat and the window really doesn't affect the cockpit temp.
Derek

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Mike Vaccaro
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2002 : 08:31:14

Just a thought, as we sail quite frequently with our bimini up--we don't really have any issues with assessing trim and wind direction. It's easy enough to see the headsail telltails by looking underneath the bimini, and looking up is also nearly unrestricted since on a Catalina 25, the bimini is located fairly far forward (about 3' from the aft end of the boom). Thus, when you're at the helm, you don't need to crane your neck any more than normal to look up.

Having said that, our bimini configuration is "non-standard" as our boom is raised 20" and shortened 4" from stock height/length for a tall-rig to allow standing room underneath.

Purely opinion of course, but for cruising, the benefits of the bimini far outweigh any visibility problems it causes.

Cheers,

Mike Vaccaro on the "Swoose"
84TR/SK #4707

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