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New bimini installed

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/17/2006 : 08:23:58

On Saturday I installed my new bimini top with many thanks to Dave (Bubba) for all his help. I bought the aluminum Sunbrella bimini on sale from Overton’s for $252, best price I found anywhere. The size I bought is 46"H 79"-84"W and 6’ long. I went with the modified genoa track car mounting method that others have done and I bought the same size used by others.
I bought two of these track slides:

Dave brought his grinder and we grinded off the loops. Smoothed it out and we have a nice flat mounting surface.

We then drilled and tapped holes to mount the stainless steel bracket. There was just enough space under the car to place a nut. After tightening the bolts, we grinded off the protruding part of the bolt. There is just enough clearance on the track and it slides freely. Here is a photo of the final results:

Here are a few pictures of it installed and in use over the past couple years now (updated 7-28-08):
This was taken right after installation. A couple weeks later I cut off 5" from the base of the legs for a little more clearance.

Note the straps do not obstruct going forward at all:

I normally just rest it on the stern pulpit for storage:

During the cooler seasons that I do not use it, I unclip it from the track mounts, place it behind the backstay to rest it further back on the stern pulpit out of the way, then re-secure the track mounts.

I still need to figure out how I’m going to attach the hold down straps. The rear straps I plan to attach to the loops on the stern pulpit where the lifeline clip to (the bungies are temporary). I am going to need to shorten the straps though since they cannot tighten that short of a distance. The forward straps may be able to attach to those stanchions, but they are at their longest length. I still need to test out the boom and main sheet clearance and figure out the best genoa track spot.

Where do most of you with biminis clip the nylon straps to? I haven’t had to drill any holes in the boat for this project yet. It would be nice to stay that way, but if I need to I may install some of the eyelets.

I can’t wait to test it out and have some shade on some of these hot humid days on the Chesapeake. I can’t sail during the week anyways, but I don't think I'd want to be out there today. They are forecasting sunny, 97F with humidity making it feel like 105F and only 5-10 knot winds!

(Updated 7-28-08 I regularly get emails about this project and someone just mentioned my links were bad on my original post. Since I change photos sites, here are new updated links. You can also see my solution for the nylon straps. The aft ones wrap around the stanchion then forward to the eyelet. The forward straps go down to the stanchion bases. Two years later and this bimini is still working great. One of the best upgrades I've installed.)

Justin
Previous Owner of Sapphire Breeze - 1982 Catalina 25 SK/SR
My sail blog site: https://reveriesailing.com/

Edited by - Justin on 07/28/2008 13:42:20

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 09:52:16

We attach the forward straps to the bottom loops on the first stanchion in front of the bimini. Our bimini ends a bit further aft, so we get the first stanchion from the cockpit. It makes for almost vertical straps but keeps things neat. You should not have such a steep angle.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 12:12:17

Very nice job. This might not work for you since my bimini is not as wide as yours (my mounts are on the coamings), but my forward straps attach to stainless strap-eyes that I installed on the side of the handrails. My aft straps go to the same spot you're planning on attaching yours...the lifeline "loops" on the stern rail. Works great.

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 07/17/2006 12:23:05

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 15:04:32

... my forward straps attach to stainless strap-eyes that I installed on the side of the handrails. My aft straps go to the same spot you're planning on attaching yours...the lifeline "loops" on the stern rail. Works great. - Steve

Mine is attached exactly like Steve's ... 'no problemo ...

Edit: BTW, 'VERY nice job ... it looks GREAT!

Edited by - Buzz Maring on 07/17/2006 15:05:45

David Zumwalt
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 16:03:41

This has all been very helpful to me as I am looking to add same to my boat. The pictures are great as well.

With your set up can you sail with the bimini up?

How has gaining access to the bow changed when on the water?

It was 105F Sunday afternoon but we went out for a short time anyway. A bimini would have been really helpful.

Both bimini's look great.

Dave

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 18:23:20

Dave -

I can sail with the bimini up. As long as the main is all the way up, no problem. It's close though and as soon as I install a topping lift, I'll be able to keep the boom just a tad higher than it is now, allowing a bit more clearance from the bimini.

Going forward is not a problem either. I'll usually just walk outside the bimini or unhook the aft straps and let it drop against the cabin top, making it real easy to go forward. Smetimes I'll duck under the aft edge of the bimini and hoist myself onto the cabintop but it's a bit more physically demanding than the other options.

I ordered my Sunbrella bimini from Boater's World in the same price range as Justin's, although his is wider. According to my wife, it's the best boat purchase we've made so far.

Steve

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 20:21:36

We also have our bimini on the genoa tracks but no aft straps. Instead we use a rear pole that allows us to drop the bimini to the rear and it stays up on the rear poles.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 07:08:55

Thanks for the tip on installing the eyelets on the hand rail. That's a great idea. After looking at my photos a bit, I think I may be able to attach the rear straps without having to cut their length. I might be able to wrap it behind the first stanchion on the rear pulpit, then take it forward to the loop. Hopefully that will be enough to take up the excess nylon.

This coming weekend I plan to raise the main sail and check for clearance. I may even be able to raise my boom a small amount because my sail does not completely go to the top of the mast.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 07:13:54

... I might be able to wrap it behind the first stanchion on the rear pulpit, then take it forward to the loop. Hopefully that will be enough to take up the excess nylon. - Justin

Hi Justin,

That's what I do. The aft nylon straps on my bimini aren't quite long enough to reach back up to the bimini frame, so I've put a loop of small line (3/16" ?) around the frame, and I clip the nylon strap to that loop.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 07:50:46

Forward straps attached to strap-eyes on hand rail. Pretend you don't notice the lack of varnish.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 15:07:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by StSimon
 We also have our bimini on the genoa tracks but no aft straps. Instead we use a rear pole that allows us to drop the bimini to the rear and it stays up on the rear poles.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Me to... I mounted the poles to hinged stainless brackets that are clamped onto the forward stanchions of the stern-rail. I plan to add quick-release pins that will allow the whole thing to be dropped forward onto the cabintop as an alternative to being propped over the cockpit.

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 17:14:42

We've got the quick releases on all 4 mount points. It makes putting up or storing below a breeze.

Edited by - on

Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 15:36:11

Hi, folks -

I have a general question for you bimini owners. Where does the bimini go when you're not using it? Justin4192 & Lightnup, it looks like it has to fold forward over the cabin (because folding back would lay it right across the cockpit). Is that the case? Or do you remove it altogether?

Thanks for the advice,

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 15:51:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bill Arden
 Hi, folks -

I have a general question for you bimini owners. Where does the bimini go when you're not using it?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's the beauty of a track mounted bimini...When not in use, you can bag it then slide it back behind the mainsheet up against the backstay. Its so tall, that I can easily walk under it.

Edited by - on

Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
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Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 17:11:14

Got it. Geez, I should have seen that!

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 19:00:50

Mine folds forward and lays nicely out of the way on the cabin top (or the poptop if it's raised).

When we're anchored, I usually drop it aft, it lays flat on the coamings inside the stern rail and makes a great foot support when one is seated leaning back against the cabin bulkhead (facing the stern). Sorry, don't have a pic.

Steve

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
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Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 23:12:27

Just a second Steve, I think I have that pict.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 17:03:44

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 10:54:19

On Saturday I was able to fully test out my new bimini. It fits perfectly! There is enough clearance under the boom, maybe an inch with the boom pulled in and when the boom is out, the main sheet clears the back of the bimini.
Here are a couple photos showing the clearance:
Boom out:

Sheeted in tightly:

I’ll have to see how it fits with the main sail reefed another time. There is a chance the boom may be lower.
With the bimini mounted on the genoa tracks and the nylon straps clipped to the stantions, moving forward isn’t too difficult. As you can see everything is mounted outside the lifelines. The head room in the cockpit is just less than 6’. I can almost stand straight, just have to tilt my head.
Looking forward:

Sitting in the back of the cockpit you can see right over the bimini and check sail trim.
The bimini makes such a difference on these hot summer days. Being in the shade and having the breeze (although light on Sat.) makes these 90+F days more bearable.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 12:06:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Justin4192
 The bimini makes such a difference on these hot summer days. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Amen brother!!!

Nice work!

Edited by - on

esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 13:10:30

Justin that looks sweet. I have been following your blog since May. After being over cooked this weekend by the sun in upper 90 degree temps a bimini is at the top of the list. Where did you get yours and do you remember the part number? I like that the whole set up is outside of the life lines.

Edited by - on

esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 16:20:35

Once again research answered my own question.

Justin, I found the same bimini you bought. In addition to the track slide what other hard ware did you buy? It looks like you needed 4 nuts and bolts did those come with the top or did you purchase them seperatly. I have a fastener shop down the street from my warehouse so locating them shouldn't be hard if necessary.

Where did you get the slides?

One other question can you slide the top forward or back much? Back looks like the mainsheet and back stay limit that but what about forward?

Again it looks great.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 19:18:29

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the compliments. Defender custom ordered the track slides for me when I placed a large order through them. They are the Ronstan model RC72503 slides and they were $21.99. West Marine also sells them. Defender was very helpful and if you need something that isn't on their site, just ask them and there is a good chance they will special order it for you (and from my orders their prices were < West Marine). I also ordered the stainless steel bimini mounts with quick release pins (item #100827, $10 ea.). I took the parts to the local Ace hardware to test fit and pickup the right size of SS bolts and nuts to secure them. There is just enough clearance between the track and the bolt to still slide freely. You will need to grind the end of the bolt flush with the nut though. The nylon bimini pole ends that slide into the bracket were just a hair too thick and had to be sanded to be able to fit into the stainless steel brackets.

In the photos I posted during sailing, the main sheet just clears the back edge of the bimini. So, that's about as far back as I can go. I haven't moved it forward or backwards much, but I'm sure at anchor or in the marina it may be able to move a foot or so. I remember seeing someone's photo where they tilted it towards the stern so that you can get it a bit further back and provide more shade if the sun is at that angle. Sliding it forward shouldn't be any problem since the beam doesn't change as much forward in that portion compared to the stern. Moving it any further won't be much of a benefit though.
For storage you can bungie it to the boom to get it out of the way:

Or slide it back like Don shows in his photo.
The first day I left it laying on the stern pulpit, but it gets more in the way when boarding:

Since it is mounted on the track, the stantions get in the way of laying it on the cabin top. I'll need to look into it again, but this may leave my only option to laying it on the stern pulpit when under sail and not being used. I'll need to slide it around and see if I can get it on the cabin top because being on the stern pulpit under sail seems like it will be in the way. Actually, I just read Don's post again and it looks like maybe I can place it behind the main sheet and tie it to the backstay while sailing. That will be good then.
One last note is that the rear nylon straps are too long. If you look closely you can see I wrapped the strap behind the first verticle rear stantion then took it forward to the eyelet. It works, but makes tightening the strap difficult. I may eventually shorten the strap.

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2006 : 22:29:13

Justin,

We loved your bimini so much we ordered one for ourselves. It arrived today, but it seems the screws they sent to assemble the bows are too small for the predrilled holes. Did you have that problem?

I'll give them a call tomorrow, just curious if you encountered any such problems.

Thanks for this thread! It got us moving on this project and you've provided lots of good visual aids.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2006 : 07:05:34

Hi Pam,

I didn't have any problems with the screws in my kit. I'm pretty sure they were all sheet metal screws, except for the four in the nylon hinges. Did you get the same Westland bimini from Overton's?
I just remembered one other tip when assembling the bows, you have to match up the correct bow/pole combinations for the holes to match up perfectly. There are different combinations of using the same parts to assemble it, but you will notice some holes do not line up perfectly or may leave gaps between the joints. It took a couple tries to figure out which poles were joined when they drilled the holes through.

I'm glad this thread has been helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Edited by - on

pelican
Deckhand

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Response Posted - 08/05/2006 : 09:30:41

Justin, your bimini thread has inspired me too, to go ahead with the bimini.
Couple of questions. How much mounting hardware came with your bimini? Did you get the rest from Defender? Checked their site and couldn't find the Ronstan#RC72503 track slide you used.
Guess I should wait till I get the top to see what parts I need to order.
Your pics and advice/experience has been invaluable to me and others as well.
Thanks for tips and advice.
Robert

Edited by - on

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