Horizon Bimini?

[Al]

Hi Folks,  I've been lurking for 6+ mo.s, this may be my 2nd post.
This is the 4th ComPac we've had, just got this Horizon 4 mo.s ago.  Since then I've been out, single-handed all but once, at least once per wk, often twice.  Thought I'd wait to get some experience with the Horizon before asking questions.  (had a 28ft wooden Catboat for a cupla yrs recently.)
  Is a bimini a good addition to the Horizon.  Lately it's only been 90+F 6-8 times this season, but 90F was plenty hot yesterday.  I was pretty sweaty/smelly after a few hrs out on the Neuse River, and lusted for a bimini.  There's limited headroom already under the boom when under sail, but I know that the Factory offers a bimiini as an option.  Has anyone had experience with it, or with a locally made one, and would you give us some thoughts on it please?
thanks, Al
New Bern, NC
2021 Horizon Cat

[crazycarl]

I can't help you with the bimini, but just want say hello.  We just moved to Oriental and haven't splashed our 19 yet, but we'll be sailing the Neuse too!

[CaptRon28]

On a hot sunny day it can come in handy while sailing, but there are some limitations. It just about blocks all of your view of the sail. And you must have the sail up to open it. Can't normally do it while motoring, anchored or at the dock. I did find a way around this - I built a wooden extension for the boom cradle, raises the boom enough to leave the bimini up when docked or anchored. Not sure if I'd use it while motoring though.

[Al]

I was afraid of the blocking of the sail view.  I watch the tell-tales regularly.  I figured the boom would have to be off  the gallows to have the bimini up.  The extra 'crutch' for the gallows is a great idea.  I'll probably get the bimini, the factory says it'll be 6-8 wks for dely.   Thanks.

[Sunny Day]

Hi,

I have had 2004 HC and 2014 Day Cat and last fall I changed to a 2015 Sunday Cat.  Sailing in the lower Chesapeake and York River of Va is almost impossible without a bimini from May to Aug.  I just love them.

While it does slow me moving from tiller to halyards, I am willing to pay that price for the comfort.  My wife wouldn't consider sailing near mid-day without one.

The ability to walk to the bow upright along the side of the catboats allows me to move to the bow quickly and comfortably for docking and anchoring.

Not being a racer, I find the reduction in the ability to continually see the sail to be a worthwhile trade off for the comfort provided by the shade.  Also since on the two HC's I had not rigged lazy jacks, I found having the bimini made it easier to catch the sail when droppped.  I plan to rig lazy jacks on the Sunday Cat.

Just my $.02 worth.  Nice to think about sailing on a chilly February morning.

Best,
Steve