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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Suggestions for a Bimini		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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SKS
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/23/2019 :  14:49:41  Show Profile
I've seen biminis for sale ranging from $170 to over $900.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best size and vendor for a good bimini ?
"Lady E" 1986 Catalina 25: Fin Keel, Standard Rig, Inboard M12 Diesel, Sail No. 5339
Sailing out of Norwalk Cove Marina, Connecticut

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts
Response Posted - 07/23/2019 :  16:12:59  Show Profile  Visit Peregrine's Homepage
I always liked this one. Never asked the owner what it cost or took it to my bimini guy yet.
It covers most of the cockpit and and can accommodate the pop top.
http://catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/fwtbt.asp

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts
Response Posted - 07/23/2019 :  18:53:17  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
Brand names and styling aside, I highly recommend using the larger diameter (1"?) stainless steel tubing on a Catalina 25, vs. the smaller (7/8"?), thinner aluminum tubing found in bargain biminis.

Along with the stainless steel tubing, go with stainless steel joints and mounting hardware, thru-bolted to the deck.

Sunbrella (acrylic fabric) is worth the extra cost. The stuff is practically immune to sun and weather.

I put a cheap bimini on my Catalina 22 about a year ago, and I can already tell it's not going to last much more than a couple years.
— Leon Sisson
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AlMo
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts
Response Posted - 07/23/2019 :  19:52:06  Show Profile
https://stingysailor.com/2014/06/13/budget-bimini-top-solution-2/ looks like the one I'm deploying to my C25 this summer, and a lot of good tips on choosing if you don't have one.
1978 C25 "X Lives" #1035
SR/SK
Edited by - AlMo on 07/23/2019 19:57:19
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts
Response Posted - 07/23/2019 :  20:44:21  Show Profile
I put the one on Passage that "Voyager" Bruce Ross has now... I guess that makes the Sunbrella canvas something like 17 years old--maybe Bruce will report on its condition. I heartily agree with Leon on the stainless steel frame and attachments--you have to expect some stresses, including people leaning or falling against it. I used adjustable stainless struts in place of the aft straps, so they could prop the folded bimini up just forward of the backstay as an alternative to laying forward it on the cabintop.

I had it made by a company in Canada--have no idea of who it was now...
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
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Erik Cornelison
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2019 :  11:10:58  Show Profile
There's a youtube sailing channel called "Learning the Lines", a young couple in Tampa Florida who fixed up a sailboat.

In the early episodes when they are fixing up a 27' sailboat, they order a cheap bimini. I think the fabric was already falling apart just three months later. They use it as a pattern to make a proper one. Stainless steel frame is the only way to go IMO.
Erik Cornelison
6th Generation Professional Sailor, First Gen Submarine Sailor.
1986 Standard Rig SW. #5234
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2019 :  13:30:20  Show Profile
Agree with the All Stainless and Sunbrella fabric. The Bimini will become a handhold trust me. The stainless is much stronger and should the fabric ever need replacing a canvas shop can replace just the canvas reusing the stainless frame that probably will last a lifetime.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


Edited by - islander on 07/24/2019 13:31:22
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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.