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Bimini alternative?

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Jweikel625
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/26/2013 : 13:55:40

I just bought my boat in July, I came with a Bimini. Although I like the shade it provides when opened, I am realizing I it is always in the way. Whether going forward and having to crawl thru or around it, opening the pop up and slider i have to lift it as it rests on it when closed, I am always having to work around it. I don't want to lose the shade, but asking if others have a suggestion or alternative set up.

1980 SK/SR
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41307503@N06/,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDZgkSfCVg

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2013 : 14:06:21

Several boats at our marina have concocted a piece of plastic tarp held up by PVC tubing laid horizontally across the boom. Looks like hell, but it works!

Edited by - OJ on 08/26/2013 14:08:20

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2013 : 14:18:21

Use the search function for bimini, current and/or archived posts. You can find lots of info. Many have engineered ways to tie/clip/slide the bimini to the rear and connect it to the backstay when not in use. I "hang" mine on the pigtail on the backstay.

Edited by - on

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2013 : 16:34:43

On our boat, the PO installed a bimini over the aft portion of the cockpit, abaft the boom so that it does not interfere with sailing. There is a cutout in the canvas to allow the backstay to pass through. There is a stainless steel frame mounted onto the deck outboard of the cockpit coamings, kind of near the rear cleats. The forward part of the frame is on a hinge so that it can fold closed.

It does not cover the entire cockpit, but it does a good job covering the rear half and does not get in the way.

Unfortunately this is the best photo I have of it. In the photo, it looks like the bimini is going to interfere with the boom and mainsheet BUT it does not. In the photo, the end of the boom is attached to the pigtail on the backstay. When the boom is loosed from the pigtail, it drops below the canvas on the bimini. I do have to close the canvas to lift the boom to the pigtail.

Edited by - on

Jweikel625
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2013 : 06:50:39

I was thinking more of a sunbrella canvas to go over the boom when anchored that clips on to the lifelines. Wouldn't help while sailing but plenty of shade anchored. Looking at the photos with the Bimini mounted aft, I would have to get a whole new setup.
Seth, I like that table and where you have the speakers mounted.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2013 : 14:26:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I was thinking more of a sunbrella canvas to go over the boom when anchored that clips on to the lifelines<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Won't work. Think about the angle from the boom to the lifeline. It will be like a pup tent. If you were to sit or lounge on the cocpit seats you will have to lean your head all the way into the center so that the canvas doesn't keep smacking you in the head. You need poles. A little out of the box would be an Anchor Shade. Had one for my power boat and they work very well at anchor. Easy up and stored.

Edited by - islander on 08/27/2013 14:38:45

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2013 : 15:24:05

A "boom tent" can be made more accommodating by adding PVC pipes in pockets on the forward and aft edges of the fabric, with straps from the pipe ends down to the stern rail and two stanchion bases. Some sailors hang these awnings below the boom, but it would seem putting it on top of the furled sail would be simpler and roomier. The poles can be bent by a little tension to provide better shade.

I have a [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=14364129&langId=-1&searchKeyword=Anchor+shade#.Uh0jwJKsiSo"]Taylor Anchor Shade[/url]--it's nice for an open cockpit like I have, but the center pole might be annoying in a C-25 cockpit. The boom shade I described should be more comfortable. The two pipes could be stored in the quarterberth, and could be made to come apart in halves (with a short length of smaller-diameter pipe).

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2013 : 17:04:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jweikel625
 I just bought my boat in July, I came with a Bimini. Although I like the shade it provides when opened, I am realizing I it is always in the way. Whether going forward and having to crawl thru or around it, opening the pop up and slider i have to lift it as it rests on it when closed, I am always having to work around it. I don't want to lose the shade, but asking if others have a suggestion or alternative set up.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Take a look at these:

1. Most likely what you are looking for -->> [url="http://www.intheshd.com/"]Shade Tree Boat Awnings[/url]

2. Might work for your needs -->> [url="http://www.pro-techt.com/"]Mantis Shades[/url]

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2013 : 20:28:26

Easier than pvc are sectional fiberglass rods that are very flexible, as in the Shade Tree Boat Awning. They are available at outdoors stores as tent support

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2013 : 09:32:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 A "boom tent" can be made more accommodating by adding PVC pipes in pockets on the forward and aft edges of the fabric, with straps

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dave the neatest boom tent w/ battens I saw was made by a very successful racer. He took all of his 1st, 2nd and 3rd place flags and had them sewn together to form the tent

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2013 : 17:05:50

Wow, I couldn't cover my baldspot. I just had a boomtent made for me by a gal on ebay and also bought 6 yards of 60" Sunbrella Cadet Gray to try and make a bimini.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2013 : 17:54:41

cheap patio umbrella. $25 and a drill. Hang it from a spare halyard.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2013 : 14:23:16

Get as many as you need. Easy to store and deploy!

Edited by - on

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2013 : 14:53:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by islander
 Get as many as you need. Easy to store and deploy!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You are looking Goooooood!

-c-

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2013 : 15:02:39

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

A kansan would posses that hat about 30 seconds then... gone with the wind.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2013 : 21:54:24

[url="http://www.tilley.com/Hats-Men.aspx"]Tilley[/url]! Mine is 15 years old, and shows it--but still does its job!

However, I still value shade! I installed a bimini on my C-25, have a hardtop on my current boat, and got a Taylor Anchor Shade for the open cockpit while not under way.

The sun makes our wind, but sometimes it doesn't make enough.

(...and it also can make our melanoma. I lost my dear Admiral to that.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/29/2013 21:57:58

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2013 : 16:01:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A kansan would posses that hat about 30 seconds then... gone with the wind.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Go for the optional chin strap...

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