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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Biminis again, again

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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/13/2004 : 11:41:19

I have searched the archives that are still available and cannot find what I am looking for. I hope someone can give me advice.

I have an '84 C25 SR SK. I know how wide I need my bimini to be to fit on the genoa tracks. My question is how tall should the top be above the mounting points? I cannot raise my mast and sail to check it right now but I need to order one asap for an upcoming trip.

Any help out there? Thanks to you all !!

Fair winds,

Andy, Breakin' Wind, 1984 C25 SK SR

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2004 : 12:45:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by StSimon
 ...My question is how tall should the top be above the mounting points? I cannot raise my mast and sail to check it right now but I need to order one asap for an upcoming trip.

Any help out there? Thanks to you all !!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Andy,

It might not be a good idea to use someone else's measurement for your bimini since every boat is slightly different with respect to boom placement and every inch of space is precious when you are talking about bimini height.

To establish the proper height of the bimini on my boat, I hoisted the main and sheeted it in tight. I then measured the boom height both fore and aft, then subtracted 1" from the lowest measurement to establish my bimini height.

Last year I put a new main on my boat and had to alter the bimini frame to get it to fit because the old and new main sails were different with respect to boom height.

Edited by - dlucier on 05/13/2004 13:09:54

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2004 : 13:55:36

Thanks Don,

I knew this would be the case but thought I would fish anyway. I went home at lunch and stood in the cockpit and measured my head height. I know the boom clears my head by a couple of inches. I can always cut it down slightly if needed.

Goodbye boat units!! Hello shade !!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2004 : 14:23:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by StSimon
 ...Goodbye boat units!! Hello shade !!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The bimini is worth its weight in gold!

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2004 : 16:15:01

I'm about to splash for a week or so off the Georgia coast. I'm sure it will be more comfortable than our last coastal sail. I went ahead and ordered what I believe to be the correct bimin size. We'll see when it gets here.

I've got another question about mounting it to the genoa tracks now. I'm going to re-read the search results for bimini before posting another question.

Thanks Don.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2004 : 20:42:06

Remember that the main bow will be at roughly a 45-degree angle, which means it can be about 1.4 times the height you want for the opened bimini. The center bow will probably be a little higher than the main bow. Also, depending on how you plan to fold down the bimini, you may need the main bow to clear the boom as you swing it forward. One solution is an adjustable topping lift (which I'm going to add) so you can lift the boom. I'm going to be doing a lot of measuring with the bimini in place before I cut the main bow to length. Then, I'll probably cut it a little long, try it, figure out how much more to cut, and do it again.

Good luck!

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2004 : 01:18:15

The bimini sold by Catalina Direct is 36" high. So is the one I bought from West Marine.

Brooke

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2004 : 09:18:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Brooke Willson
 The bimini sold by Catalina Direct is 36" high. So is the one I bought from West Marine.

Brooke
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Brooke,

Is this measurement based on a coaming top mounted bimini or side deck mounted by the Catalina logo?

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2004 : 09:53:39

It's based on the distance from the fitting at the bottom of the "A" pole vertically to the top of the fabric. Obviously, if you mount it on the coaming top you'll have a few more inches headroom than mounted on the deck. When I was researching biminis to buy I called CD and they gave me the measurements: 36" high, 6' from fore to aft. I didn't ask about the width. The bimini I bought from West Marine is 4' fore to aft, which will accomodate my newly relocated mainsheet traveler just aft of the companionway sill. Had I bought the 6' model I would have had to cut slots for the backstay. My observation is that many of the CD biminis are mounted so far forward they partially cover the companionway: this body would not make it through that space!

I might have been able to accomodate the 42" high bimini sold by West Marine, but they only come in 6' lengths. In either case, the new main I've ordered will raise the boom enough to allow the bimini to be deployed while sailing without a reef. At least, that's the plan. We'll know June 16.

Brooke

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 00:19:48

The problem with the Catalina Direct bimini (in my case) is that it is not wide enough to mount on the genoa tracks. Theirs is designed to mount next to the logos.

I went ahead and raised my mast in my driveway (with all my neighbors watching intently, btw I'm not suposed to have any boat parked in the driveway according to the neighborhood covenants, but what are they going to do, evict me?) and put up my boom and main. With the main all the way up and my topping lift at the right level for the main the 54" height 6' long bimini seemed to be the ticket. I did not account for the fact that the main support pole on the bimini would be sloping back. I assumed the manufacturer would have accounted for that already. The instructions tell you to measure vertically not at the angle the pole will be, right? Well, I'm taking my hacksaw with me to GA next week just in case. I had to have the bimini drop shipped there so I would guarantee arrival on time for when we arrive. BTW, for anyone wanting a top in a custom color (other than blue) they tell you 2 to 3 weeks delivery. Taylor Made ships out in 3 to 5 business days and overnight shipping cost me only about $30.00 more than ground shipping. This means you can get a custom color bimini from West Marine or Boat US (which are now the same) in about a week.

Anyway, we'll see if my measurements are correct once we arrive. As I mentioned, the hack saw is going with us.

Thanks to Don and Skip who provided advice on mounting the bimini on the genoa tracks offline. You guys are great !!

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 18:05:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by StSimon
(with all my neighbors watching intently, btw I'm not suposed to have any boat parked in the driveway according to the neighborhood covenants, but what are they going to do, evict me?) <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'd be careful and re-read your deed. The association may be able to foreclose on your property!

Edited by - on

skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 21:20:24

I spent 30 minutes doing a lengthy reply this morning before work only to find it got lost in the black hole.

To cut to the chase, be careful how much you cut. I'd recommend you do a couple of inches at a time, and stop 2 inches sooner than you think necessary. Then sail a few times with the bimini in the position you plan to use it at.

You may find that going lower will change the location of the feet and bow connections, to provide sufficient stretch to the top, and result in it interfering with jib sheet angle / winch use when mounted on the genoa tracks.

I like a lower bimini to counter the setting sun and get more hours of shade, but at some point it becomes a trade off for bow angle/feet location.

For what it is worth,
Skip
PS- thanks for the kind words.

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