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Dave Bristol-bimini

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RoofRoof
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USA
186 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/02/2003 : 13:01:52

Hey there Dave....
You have a tall rig right? So, give me all of the details about your recent bimini installation. I'm sure that you took in all the info offered on these posts, and likely made it work well.

So, what are the dimensions of the bimini that you purchased, did you mount on the genoa track, do you reef your main when using the bimini, and where does the main sheet go with the bimini up, etc?

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dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2003 : 13:14:14

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Hey there Dave....You have a tall rig right? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Alan,

Dave has a standard rig.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2003 : 15:05:36

Don's right. The bimini is assembled and ready for a weather window (and some spare time). It'll mount it on the side-decks, just outside of the coamings and forward of the winch islands, like most we've seen here. The main bow will be held by stainless legs instead of straps, propping it up leaning aft, forward of the mainsheet. Quick release pins on the legs will allow it to go forward onto the cabin top. The foward straps will release easily to make going forward somewhat easier--I hope. <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle> Width will be about 74", height to be determined--probably 44-45" from the deck. I plan to revise my topping lift to a 2-1 leading back to the cockpit for better control.

I decided against the genoa tracks because it seemed to be too wide, especially with the rear "props", and a little vulnerable around docks and pilings. But that's definitely debatable.

Film at 11... (Well, some day, anyway.) Sorry I can't advise on the tall rig... (Actually, I'm not!)

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

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George Beck
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USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2003 : 21:49:51

I purchased Bimini from OVERTON catalogue few years ago and wouldnt be without it. I have 1982 Tall Rig, bimini goes back to main sheets and foreward to cover companion way. I am able to sail with it up and folds foreward with boot on when not in use. I do have to release sheet tension and physically lift boom up few inches to fold foreward under the boom and same for opening up. Because it is a tall rig the Bimini is little confining in the cockpit but you get used to it, especially on those hot, sunny days and you will wonder what you did without it. This was so long ago I cant help with the measurements but could measure the bows next time I go to boat if you want.

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RoofRoof
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186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2003 : 23:15:45

Yes, I'd love any exact measurements you have. I've read every post on this topic for the past year. I really want to do the bimini on my tall rig, but I'm still not sure exactly what to do.

I plan to mount it on the genoa track, so that I can move it ....when it doesn't work exactly right.

So, I believe I'll be ordering one or having one made that is about 84" wide. I'll reef my main so that I can have standing room. I guess with the main sheet, I'll have to try to get a 4 foot long bimini instead of the usual 5 or 6 footers.

Please offer any advice if you have a similar configuration and only if you have a TALL Rig.

Sorry Dave. I just always appreciate your exacting detail in all of your projects. Too bad you can't help me on this one.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2003 : 23:57:28

Alan: Most people reporting so far appear to have 6' long biminis, which when mounted so the mainsheet clears it on a run, covers the companionway by a couple of feet. That translates into not just shade in the cabin, but also a degree of weather protection with the hatchboards out. The downside is that it complicates going forward, but I'm working on that...

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

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skipn809
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111 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 01:46:45

I have a 1985 tall rig with the original main.

I am currently tweeking a 6 foot bimini I bought from GMI (gmitopdesigns.com) It is the 6 ft.x (36to 42 inch tall)x 82 inch wide model. I got the Sunbrella and aluminum poles, and it ran about $225 total (about $300 for Canadian). I mounted it on the genoa tracks by using track slides that I cut the bales off of, and then drilled to bolt the foot of the bimini legs to. Cost about $50 when done.

Here are the problems and compromises so far. I cut 4 inches off of the legs to get it down. I still have to raise the boom end about a foot to get it to clear the top if I want to sail with it up. I also tried to adjust the height of the center and front bows by moving them up or down the leg that attaches to the deck. This would gain me a couple of more inches under the boom, so I could get it closer to a proper sail configuration (like it would be without a bimini.) I realized if I moved those bows too much from factory setting (more than 4 inches) it would no longer fit in the cover because the bows would not close together. (Maybe a call to the factory might get you a cover for an 8 footer which might be bigger and allow more adjustment room.) I also try to rake the bimini at a slightly front down angle to match the angle of the boom.

I am 5'10" and almost have standing head room (I do at the rear end), but I am more concerned with still having enough height to move forward under the front bow to the deck. I can still cut 2 inches off the legs and still have the bows fit properly, and have room to go forward. There is ample room from the end of the bimini to the swim ladder to let you on and off without much problem. The boom can be lifted, and the bimini moved forward on the tracks if there is. It will easily cover the companion way hatch too.

The main sheet is attached to the end of the boom, and I can sail with the bimini up if I move it forward on the tracks a little. Of course the more forward, the more the rear of the boom has to come up with the topping lift. This boat had a traveller added across in front of the companion way, which I removed, and plan to mount on the top of the cabin. I could sail with the bimini up, and fit a 6 ft. bimini between the companion way traveller and rear stay if I want to go back to that system.

Still to be tweeked-- the side legs come pretty close to the winches. Mine are selftailers, and before I cut another 2 inches off, and try to adjust the bows any more, I am going to put in some more sail time and cyphering. Tonight I decided to go down on my next day off and turn the bimini 180 degrees backwards and see how the legs clear the winches. Who knows, with a little adjustment it may work really well, and allow me to lower it a couple more inches.

When I have the bimini down, I slide it forward a foot or so on the tracks, and lay it down on the stern rail. Or I can slide it rear ward and tie it upright at an angle to the rear stay, out of the way. I can get to the outboard in either position.

Bottom line, I feel the bimini is a must have if I want my wife to go along, and I admit I have to have it too. I am more of a cruiser who just fell into a tall rig without realizing it. If I want a perfet sail shape to race, I will drop the bimini. Otherwise, with the 150 jib, it is still pretty good. I hope to have the bugs worked out in the next couple of weeks, and maybe my son will get some photos posted for anyone interested. If it doesn't work out, I will have a new bimini for sale real cheap to someone with a standard rig.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

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dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 02:10:47

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Bottom line, I feel the bimini is a must have if I want my wife to go along, and I admit I have to have it too.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I agree wholeheartedly. I spend so much time sailing that if I didn't have a bimini I would look like a piece of burnt bacon.

I leave mine up all season and only bring it down when we drop anchor and go swimming(kids love to jump off the coamings). As you know, the bimini can only cover a portion of the cockpit which is somewhat nice because if you want to sit in the sun you simply sit at the rear of the cockpit and sit forward when you want shade.

Before I had a bimini I wasn't a big fan of them, but since I installed one on North Star it has become one of those items I can't live without.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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RoofRoof
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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 10:21:04

SKIPN809.....Thanks SO much. You have and are giving me exactly the info that I need. Any more thoughts, tweaks, and PICs would be VERY MUCH Appreciated.

Thank you again.

RoofRoof,

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Eric Dove
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37 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 16:04:37

Just a thought...and I'd be curious to hear opinions on this....

I've also got a tall rig and have often contemplated a bimini. I also see myself purchasing a couple new sails in the next season or two. What I was considering doing was having the main custom cut so the foot was the same length as spec, but the luff was about a foot or maybe 1 1/2 feet shorter. I would also have the roach cut a big bigger too, to possibly compensate for that lost sail area (I like that sail area for our light winds). Then by mounting the boom about 1 or 1 1/2 feet higher up the mast, I'd have much better room for a bimini. I'm 6'2", so I'd still be well shy of true standing room, but it seems like that would give a whole lot more room. I'd heard someone on another post mention the idea of using a standard rig main on a TR, but that's a whole lot less sail area, and the boom would be REALLY high. This seems like it might be a good solution, which may not compromise anything. Of course, unless you're potentially in the market for a bimini AND a new main, this probably wouldn't be for you. Thoughts anyone?

Eric Dove on Adelaide

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 16:25:08

Sounds like a plan to me... If you don't plan to race under class rules, you could possibly go longer on the foot to gain back some of that area, although that might affect the balance of the boat, adding slightly to weather helm. A sailmaker could advise on that. I don't see your idea affecting performance much--your headsail is the primary driver of the boat. I think you'll like it!

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

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Eric Dove
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37 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 16:26:36

I do race Wenesday nights under PHRF....would that be effected?

Eric Dove on Adelaide

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skipn809
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111 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 20:13:59

I have mounted my bimini under a tall rig.

I put the feet on track slides like I said in the previous post using the size bimini I indicated. I like this company's product better than the 2 Taylor Made biminis I used on my other two boats because the aluminum bows seem to be heavier tubing, there is a split zipper on the cover, and the feet are not pressed on, so you can cut a leg and not have to buy a new foot. The other bows on this GMI top are cut on the sides and have to be put together, but that is OK because it allows you to further modify the height if you want.

I cut 4 inches off the feet, and kept the center bow located on the leg as it came from the factory. I did move the front(forward) bow up 9 inches from the foot of the leg after cutting the 4 inches off. It still fits in the bimini cover. This gave me about 67 inches of headroom measuring from the floor of the cockpit to the center bow. The track slide is positioned just forward of the rail scuppers. (The slides do not have to be moved to allow the bimini to fold back and lay on the stern rail when stored. I have to move them back some to stand the bimini upright against the back stay to give more room to the o/b or swim ladder if it is not up and in use.) This position at the scupper allows me to sail with the bimini up using the traveller at the end of the boom.

Here is the down side: To sail close hauled I have to raise the boom using the topping lift about 12 inches. Otherwise it will not clear the bimini. So I lose about a foot of sail and proper trim. No big deal because I ran the topping lift lines to the cockpit. I am a cruiser, so I am not concerned about this. Also, I can not give the wench handles a full turn, and must do small cranks. I am a cruiser, so I am not concerned about this. I usually have the jib trimmed by the time I end the tack. Yes, I do use a wench sometimes. Her name is Gail and she brings me beer and lets me yell at her on the boat (not at home). Been a thorn in my side for 32 years, but that is another story. Small cranks aren't all that bad. She has put up with a large one for many years. She is acruiser and is not concerned about this. May not look cool,(cranking) but who will notice if they are looking at the lousy trim on the main? If the mainsheet does not clear the bimini satisfactorily, I will move it more forward on the track slides, and raise the boom a little more.

I plan to put the traveller on the cabin top, which will allow me to move the bimini aft about a foot, which will allow me to lower the boom a few more inches when close hauled. I thought about cutting 2 more inches off the feet, which would help with sail trim, but I decided I like the headroom. (The bimini is designed to cut 6 inches off the leg, and still work as designed.) Also, I will be able to rake the top a little more (down in front) when I pull the top aft, which will give me standing head room at the rear of the bimini, plenty of room to get to the swim ladder with the top up, and a shade lower boom. I may cut 2 inches after I sail with this configuration next summer. It will be nice to be able to slide the top forward on rainy days and leave the companionway boards off.

Finally, I have not mounted the strap eyes to the deck yet. It appears I may want to loop the strap under the top of the stern rail behind the lifeline release, and attach the eye to the rear bimini bow where it meets the canvas. This would keep the canvas from riding up up the bow and not add more holes to the deck. I may loop the strap under the lifeline in front of a stanchion and attach it the same way. We'll see.

The bimini seems to fit the boat nicely, and is not so wides as to be ugly when laid on the stern rail. I hope to have some photos posted one of these days if anyone should be interested. The kids have left the nest and taken their digital cameras with them. It is hard to get them to come sailing any more, and their old man would rather buy boat stuff than a new camers. As I said, we'll see.

Hope this helps.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 20:44:50

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I do race Wenesday nights under PHRF....would that be effected?

Eric Dove on Adelaide
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
As I understand it, PHRF allows anything, but you should notify the local measurer of your variation from the builder's standard. In this case, you're giving up at least as much as you gain, and probably won't lose on your handicap. They might just say, "Sail on." But then, I've told you more than I know (again). <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

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

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RoofRoof
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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 23:36:08

Skipn809 I really need some pictures. Maybe you can bribe the family to come home with a camera.

So, if you lay the bimini back against the backstay.....do you have a quick release for your main sheet? Or what?

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2003 : 17:03:37

Roof: An alternative to propping against the backstay or laying it on the cabintop is to use telescoping legs in place of the rear straps. That'll hold the folded bimini upright forward of the mainsheet and out of the way for going forward. Quick release pins on the legs will allow it to lay forward on the companionway hatch. Snap hooks or carabiners on the forward straps allow the forward bow to be released for access to the sidedecks, while the main bow is still held up by the legs.

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

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Sea Trac
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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2003 : 17:16:19

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Yes, I do use a wench sometimes. Her name is Gail and she brings me beer and lets me yell at her on the boat (not at home). Been a thorn in my side for 32 years, but that is another story. Small cranks aren't all that bad. She has put up with a large one for many years. She is acruiser and is not concerned about this. May not look cool,(cranking) but who will notice if they are looking at the lousy trim on the main?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Damn it, Skip. You got me laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes. Which was not cool, because I had to explain to my employees that I WAS NOT CRYING. Funniest post I think I've ever read.

J.B. Manley
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d609b3127cce8d2e212441c60000002010" border=0>
Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
36°29'58" -94°59'59"

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skipn809
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111 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2003 : 22:42:59

RoofRoof:

Do your friends just call you Roof?

I just use a snap shackle attached to the boom. I tie the bimini up to the stay with a sail tie or bungie cord, since I like to slide it around on the track.

I'll see what I can do with the photos.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2003 : 22:48:14

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...I had to explain to my employees that I WAS NOT CRYING.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Oh-oh... BUSTED! Reading posts at the office!

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

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