Hi all,

i am am looking for a Bimini for my North shore 27 for the aft cockpit, but the back stays will be in the way. Do I have to get a custom made Bimini or is there somewhere I can buy ready to go

Adam

Cisco, Adam said, "the backstays will be in the way".

If you want to do it cheaper I think it may be possible to buy a standard bimini and, depending on the design, modify it so it has either slits / zippers or reinforced holes which would require you to remove the backstays and thread them through. Not even sure if that makes sense with running backstays as I've never used them. Just trying to be constructive.

There are some blogs on people who've modified their biminis and Sailright have a vid on adding a zipper. I assume if you want the zipper option you'd have to have your bimini arches running fore and aft rather than athwartships; I can't visualise it working otherwise.

Living in Queensland makes having cockpit shade an imperative for me. An off the shelf bimini should be the most economical way of doing it.

I an hoping to have an effective one inbetween my back stay and main sheet. This should provide shade for most of the cockpit.

Heres a Walker H287 ketch with a bimini . Id say its a cut down and he has raised the boom slightly

^^^I know what you mean.

I think the dodger fits well aesthetically (that is if the clear panels were actually clear ) but as for the bimini I am thinking along the lines of one that is normally folded onto the back stay with a wrap cover and only opened out on really scorching days.

My other concern with "wind anchors" is what I can do to power my fridge with a solar panel and/or wind generator. I do not want a gantry with all sorts of stuff hanging off it on the back of the boat.

I may be able to fit a solar panel of sufficient wattage in front of the dodger over the hatch garage and cabin top.

Most off the shelf biminis are designed for runabouts.

I have been eyeing this number:

www.chsmith.com.au/Products/Oceansouth-Sailboat-Bimini.html

Anyone got any thoughts/experience/opinions on this cover?

2loneswordsmen said..
Most off the shelf biminis are designed for runabouts.

I have been eyeing this number:

www.chsmith.com.au/Products/Oceansouth-Sailboat-Bimini.html

Anyone got any thoughts/experience/opinions on this cover?

Holey hell. At those prices I would seriously be asking for a custom job from an upholstery shop. I would probably consider designing and making my own and getting an upholsterer to do just the fabric. I have spent just under 2k to redo my cruiser (just the fabric so no ss work) but including stratoglass clears all round, zips and press studs.

Toph said..

2loneswordsmen said..
Most off the shelf biminis are designed for runabouts.

I have been eyeing this number:

www.chsmith.com.au/Products/Oceansouth-Sailboat-Bimini.html

Anyone got any thoughts/experience/opinions on this cover?

Holey hell. At those prices I would seriously be asking for a custom job from an upholstery shop. I would probably consider designing and making my own and getting an upholsterer to do just the fabric. I have spent just under 2k to redo my cruiser (just the fabric so no ss work) but including stratoglass clears all round, zips and press studs.

I observed but avoided commenting on prices. Not now that you brought it up.

One could probably buy a bimini off the shelf at his local fishing shop that would last and do the job for 5 years for $500 or less.

I'm not a fan of airbrakes but one of the best I have seen is a converted tractor roof on an East Coast 31.


Moulded fibreglass.

cisco said..
The 25 mm stainless bows are obviously a big plus.

The other thing I like is that the bows are curved which means:-

1. The panels will not collect rain like the flat ones do.

2. I believe it will have less windage than a flat one. (Can't say why but I just think so.

3. The curved shape is definitely more aesthetically pleasing. Looks quality.

3. The curved shape is definitely more aesthetically pleasing. Looks quality. I'm thinking your talking about other curvy things Here Cisco

I'm wondering could some one tell me the wall thickness to use for 25mm tubes for biminis please There's a local stainless steel supplier close by but wasn't sure what wall thickness the same goes for stern rail tubing I'm not sure of what wall thickness to buy as Id like to make a new one for my old boat at some stage

Hey guy's
I've been thinking about the same thing for a while now and have nearly decided to mount a targa type frame on my pushpit and make it sturdy enough to be able to raise my back-stay attachment points to the top of it. It will also mount my solar panels and have an intergrated roller to carry my mast when the boat is on the trailer.
For you Darksiders I can sail my boat at 100klm's an hour past all the crappy weather and still be grinn'n