Bimini Thoughts?

[Billy]

I went out this weekend and had a great time. However, the sun was brutal and in Aug when there is no wind I know it'll be miserable. So, I was thinking about getting a bimini for my 19. I know some of you have one on your boats and I was wondering what advise anyone had to give. To raise my main all the way the boom needs to be pretty low. Maybe 18" above the mast step. I don't want to have to modify my main. Is it too low for the boom? How easy is it to go forward with the top on? Where do you putit when the sun isn't so intense? Any makes or models? The previous owner had one on before but it is long gone now. Where do you mount it? On the gunnels(if thats what they are) or on the deck?  I found a Sunbrella. 3-Bow Frame. 30"-36" height. 6' long. Top Width: 73"-78" for $320 from Barts. I think this size will be right.  Any thoughts?

[brackish]

I've got a bimini for my 23 although I don't know if I'll ever use it.  I don't like the lack of visibility when sailing and it doesn't really give much coverage.  I think it may interfere, I haven't tried it yet.   For my last boat, I had a custom cover that was held up by the main halyard attached to a yoke on the cover.  It had three PVC tubes that fit in pockets each having side stays that attached to the lifelines with spring clips.  when not in use it rolled up and would fit in the quarter berth.  Gave a lot more coverage than a bimini going from the mast to the transom (slit for the back stay) and provided standing head room.  Of course you could not sail with the main, but where I sailed the hot trips were sailing down wind coming back from the islands.  Not a close up picture but:

[Bob Condon]

www.sailrite.com

just sent me email about making your own bimini. They have an excellent, extensive
catalog of sailing materials, products and sewing kits.

I have made their mainsail and Genoa 150 kit for my CP19
so I imagine their bimini kits would also be excellent.

They also have an huge selection of all Sunbrella products which
make fabulous boat covers. I made a boat cover for our sailfish
probably around 1992 and the cover is still in perfect condition after
a lot of use in the sun.

Bob

[brackish]

www.sailrite.com

just sent me email about making your own bimini. They have an excellent, extensive
catalog of sailing materials, products and sewing kits.

I have made their mainsail and Genoa 150 kit for my CP19
so I imagine their bimini kits would also be excellent.

They also have an huge selection of all Sunbrella products which
make fabulous boat covers. I made a boat cover for our sailfish
probably around 1992 and the cover is still in perfect condition after
a lot of use in the sun.

Bob

Bob, what was the learning process and what aids did you use?  I have a heavy duty sewing machine and have wanted to learn how to sew to make my own covers and canvas items.  I've never done any sewing and wonder how to get started.  Seems like a great winter project skill.

[Bob Condon]

I have done a bit of machine sewing all my life, but mostly all straight sewing like making quilts
and covers... so the knowledge is pretty basic.

When I bought the sail kit, I also paid for the sewing machine CD and the Making Sails CD
which goes through the process.

My sail cover was pretty tattered so I bought some Sumbrella, used the old sail cover for dimension, purchased
turn snaps and built the cover. That gave me some experience. Back around 1992 ish, I made a sailboat cover
out of sunbrella which again is easy straight sewing.

Once you feel comfortable with that, then you can either buy a Bimini kit (the instruction on everything I have seen from
Sailrite.com has been more than expected (which means excellent)).

The CDs give you hints like using spray adhesive instead of trying to use pin, spray it and stick it together and then
just sew through the assembly...

I also made clutch covers because I had a little extra material so it dresses the boat up while adding some weather protection...

I recommend that you give it a try... some things will come out well, and some things will need to be torn back out and redone... It is part of the learning curve... Another way if you feel comfortable is to go to a community ed class just to get
some basics down... I have taken classes like Cake Decorating at the local schools because I wanted to develop
my artistic side (what little there is) as oppose to my technical engineering side! I had a lot of fun with the other 15 women
but I learned a lot... but I was the only male...

Sewing is a great skill... I did make some halloween costumes in my younger day... Devil costumes for my son and I  and a clown outfit for my son for a 3rd grade play.

I made boat curtains for a Cape Dory, flexible screens for over the companionway and hatch (My son said for me to make them for the CP 19 so he can sleep on it at the lake!)... I can tell you how I built them if interested.. They roll up in a very small back for storage... 

[Billy]

WOW Bob. Impressive. I don't think I'm capable of makeing my own bimini. However, My Mother in Law does custom drapery for homes and she made my wifes wedding dress. This past sommer she made me seat coushins for the cockpit and they look great! I think I may have her make me a main sail cover (I have an old one that is torn), and I would like a Jib sail bag too (no roller furling for me). I don't have the dimensions though.

Two questions, Can you just order the sunbrella fabric? And how big (is that even the term) of a sewing machine do you need?

[Salty19]

Brack-

I promise you it's not that hard to make basic covers and the like.  

Last time I sewed was in 7th grade home economics class. Hmm, that was about 30 years ago.

After about 20 minutes of figuring out how to thread and operate the machine, a little practice on some scrap, you'll be sewing in no time at all.  Do a basic project first like a tiller cover.  

Bob's advice about using sailrite is excellent.  I didn't use them personally, but they seem to have everything one may need for such projects, and good instructions tools as well.

This winter I sewed up a new tiller cover, rudder cover, lifeline covers (covering swim noodles cut to fit), and a cooler cover.  The wife made three winch covers with elastic in the center.  All out of Sunbrella marine grade fabric and UV resistant outdoor fabric thread (and a denim needle).  


Everything looks really good except the cooler cover which could have used a little more forethought when making the corner stitches.  It's functional but perhaps not as pretty as it could be. The machine was a consumer grade Brother that was never used but about 10 years old--nothing fancy.  It did struggle on areas with more than 2 layers of fabric (the corners on the cooler come to mind), and we did break one needle, but for the most part it went smoothly.

Cut out your pattern about 5/8" in all directions larger than what you need.  This gives room to sew the stitch.

Next sewing projects:   Cockpit cushion covers, boom tent and maybe an outboard cover.

[Bob Condon]

Billy,

go to the www.sailrite.com website and you can find Sunbrella in either 48" or 60" wide. Price is by the
linear yard. Order the paper catalog. This year it is about DOUBLE the size of last year... It is approaching the
size of the Sears Christmas catalog when we were kids!

Sewing a sail is just A LOT of straight sewing. My main took about 8 hours and the 150 Genoa was around 12 hours to buiid and it saved me hundreds of dollars each.

I will also recommend the LZ1 sewing machine at sailrite... A friend has the seams coming apart on a bimini... It was 8 layers of Dacron
so I brought the machine over and in 15 minutes, everything was complete. The machine is not cheap, but it does a great job

good luck,

Bob

[Billy]

well I chinked out and didn't make my own. I called Gerry at Hutchin's and ask what he would charge me for a Bimini and he said he had one in stock that he would give me a small deal on. I bit the bullet and had them instal it. Nedless to say, the Com-Pac factory did a great job. Here tis.......

http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/billybbingham/?action=view&current=P8070040c.jpg

[Billy]

why is it that when I copy the ip address it only shows the link and not the pic?

Please help!

[Greene]

Billy,  Just copy the IMG code instead of the http. 

Mike

[Billy]

like this?

[Billy]

YES!!!!

Well....what do ya think?

[Billy]

oh yea, THANKS Greene!

[Salty19]

Very very nice!

Couple of questions for you...can you sail the boat with the bimini up?  And do you just collapse and cover when storing it?  I don't recall if you trailer or have a slip...

Sometimes going the easy, expensive route is more economical than going cheap and doing things twice or not having a useful item.  With that said I may make my own over the winter.