Binimi Top

[dpitch65]

I am thinking about putting a Binimi on my Catalina 34MKII to provide protection from the sun.  I was thinking about a fixed binimi and wondering the pros & cons.  I sail in the SF bay and transversing the slot with winds blow 30+knots, i was worried about if the binimi would have any effect on the sailing characteristic.  

I am not planning on racing so that is not a consideration.

The Options
1.  A Fix Binimi - Best for look
2.  A Folding Binimi -
3.  Canvas that support from the back stay (fold away during sailing)

Can someone help me undertstand the pros/cons?

Thanks

Don

[RV61]

Don,
The Interlude has a fixed Bimini on it and the pro is it does look good and is a bit more sturdy when a guest uses part of the frame a  grab rail. The largest con is here on lake Erie the are days it would be nice to have the sun shining on you for warmth and it is a pain (TIME)to take apart and put a boot on as a folding one would be much quicker. Just my experience.
Rick

[hdevera]

I sail in Benicia, winds similar to SF.  I have a bimini that attaches to my dodger and connects to a horizontal pole that is placed just aft of the backstays. I can email you pictures of how they are attached.  It's extremely easy to put up and take off.  I have put it up and taken it down while singlehanding.  I think it looks good and the it does provide nice protection when sitting in the cockpit.  One drawback is that it is not very high.  But it does angle upward as it goes aft.  I can sail with it up because, if I stand on the aft cockpit seat, I can see over it and if I'm sitting, I can see thru the dodger.  Additionally, I had a back curtain installed on the dodger and a cover for my cockpit table.  With all of that, I was charged under $700.  That's a lot less than a stand alone bimini costs.  Hope this helps.

[Phil Spicer]

Don,
Had a dodger & bimini made last summer.Why didn't we do it sooner? A real nice addition. The bimini folds. One bow behind the backstay, 3 in front of the backstay. Folds nicely & stays in place without any help. We use it more at the dock than when we sail. The dodger is mostly a special scratch resistant type of plexiglass. A very nice addition to the boat. This summer we will add "Textilene" sides & back to help slow down the sun, but not the breeze. Textilene is like a screen, but with bigger openings. Not for keeping the bugs out.  A long tube fits on each side to make the bimini stiff, & we have 2 vertical supports from the stern rail up to the back bow,just below the bend. It doesn't move & most visitors hold on to it when comming abord. All tubes are heavy wall stainless,as well as all fittings. Good luck with yours.
 Phil
789 Steamboat

[Mike Lofstrom]

A very timely question.  I am in the process of having all of the canvas redone on my boat.  The boat came with a dodger, and I have debated whether or not to go with a fixed or temporary bimini as well.  I chose a temporary awning that attaches to the backstays for SF bay for a number of reasons.  I like the idea that the awning can be removed quickly if the wind pipes up, and can be stored below where it is out of the way.  There are some disadvantages as Hal outlined above, but I am mainly looking for shade, and the design I decided to go with has removeable sun shades that can zip to the edges of the awning, and be clipped to the lifelines.  Forward Visibility may not be as good as a full bimini, but I don't plan to sail with the Awning up except in very light conditions.   One of my marina neighbors has a full bimini with connector, and after watching him try to back his boat into the slip in a stiff wind one day, I decided that I didn't want all that permanent windage in the back of the boat.  I was quoted $1300 for a full bimini, and less than half of that for the Awning.  The shop hasn't finished the job yet, but when they do I'd be glad to send you some pics.   :cool:

Mike

[Larry Calfee]

We also sail on SF Bay and had a new dodger and bimini installed last year.  It is fixed and solid.  We also installed a transition piece so that the cockpit gets full protection from the sun.  I have noticed no significant adverse sailing characteristics from wind resistance however on our boat there is decreased visibility to the leeward side while heeling which requires more vigilance.  We are glad we made the addition.