Hi All,
Looking for a bimini for my 34, I've seen the Catalina Direct one on their site I'm wondering if anyone has direct experience with it. What do you think?
Thanks
I have purchased several products from CD and have not been disappointed. Several canvas products included. I would trust them to provide a quality bimini. Just make sure you get the measurements and color right. Likely not returnable.
Jim, one of the more important issues related to biminis is the support frame. This includes, of course, the materials, the size of the tubes and the height. The way the frames are located, any straps needed to support it and their locations, are critical to the success or failure of the entire structure. I've read plenty of stories where skippers end up hating their biminis because straps get in the way of boarding, or the whole structure is too flimsy. Shop wisely.
I always advise using a good local canvas shop to do any jobs that require fitting, such as dodgers or a bimini.
I used them for my previous Catalina 30 and it did not go so well. I had to have the canvas altered with the addition of zippers by a local person to go around the backstay. In retrospect, if I had known about the local person before placing my order with Catalina Direct, I would have preferred to have them do the work in the first place.
I bought one from the catalinaowners.com website a couple of years ago and am pleased with it. I bought the rail mount bimini. No straps, all rigid tubing. My local canvas guy said it was a pretty good deal for the price and good quality.
Well thanks everyone, good info I think I'll go with someone local. 8)
Quote from: mregan on May 19, 2017, 05:32:15 PM
I bought one from the catalinaowners.com website a couple of years ago and am pleased with it. I bought the rail mount bimini. No straps, all rigid tubing. My local canvas guy said it was a pretty good deal for the price and good quality.
Regardless of my post below, I'll check these folks out thanks.
I want to install a bimini and dodger. Can somebody recommend a good dodger? Do I need to take measurements or do manufacturers know the dimensions of a MK 1 34?
Sophie : The local canvas shop will take all the measurements.
What you need to decide is the height of the dodger - do you want to see over it or under it??? So both you and your crew need to decide.
Also I'd recommend that you get a hand rail installed on the back side toward the helm as well as hand holds on each side of the dodger.
A local Canvas shop can do it all and make all the necessary adjustments after it's up. But, a production dodger is yours and you have to do the adjustments - after the fact. I'd recommend - GO LOCAL!!
A few thoughts
Quote from: Sophie on May 21, 2017, 11:41:44 AM
I want to install a bimini and dodger. Can somebody recommend a good dodger? Do I need to take measurements or do manufacturers know the dimensions of a MK 1 34?
Sophie,
There are two basic choices one must make re: dodgers & biminis. Buy from a reputable mass production company as noted in earlier comments. Or buy locally.
The difference is usually between price vs. flexibility and the ability of the local shop to measure and make minor adjustments. It's alike choosing a sail maker.
Ron is right about the features.
You might be interested in this:
Dodger Height 101 with Pictures and Links
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7161.0.html
That's a greta link. Thank you Stu.
I'd buy local with the dodger. Like I mentioned above, you could go mass production on the bimini. I think the bimini is a bit more forgiving if you don't get the measurements exact. Whereas if your dimensions are off with the dodger, it's much harder to get it to work correctly. I screwed up the dimensions a bit on my bimini on my C-30 but by modifying the frame a bit I was able to get it to work. Learned from my mistakes when ordering my C-34 bimini.
I'd also recommend a joiner piece between the dodger and bimini. Helps quite a bit with the shading in the cockpit when installed.
Sophie : On a Bimini you also have to make some decisions.
The height - above the backstay split? or below? Look at a connecting piece to the dodger - a window in that connector? or solid and not sail with it up? How far back (aft) do you want it to extend?? The color? light so it's cooler!? or darker so it doesn't show dirt and bird droppings!! Bimini bows connected to/on the deck combing or attached to the stern pushpit rails??
So start thinking!!!
A few thoughts :D
Thanks Ron. Great questions and ones that I will dwell upon.
I am not in too much of a hurry. I have until next spring before I am ready to move to my boat and hopefully start cruising the California coast.
I would like to add solar panels to the Dodger / Bimini framework. I am a design engineer so I could design my own frame if I can figure out good attachment points and what I need. A good start would be a 3D CAD model or a drawing from which I can make a 3D model. I saw a picture of a Dodger hard top that looked compelling.
Thanks again.
I too am interested in a new bimini for my 34. Been shopping around and got a price from the local canvas shop as well. I'll likely go with CatalinaOwners.com. Their price with several additional features is about 2/3 the price of the local shop for a pushpit mount. They sent me pictures of several they've done and they look quite nice and sturdy with all SS 1" tubing. Taling to them on the phone was a big help in understanding what they offer. They wont make side curtains however, they'll add, for an extra fee, zippers on the back and sides for when I do want to add curtains, a zipper in the front for having a local shop make the piece between the bimini and dodger, top window for sighting the masthead and the zippers etc. for the split backstay. Now that I have my pushpit repaired and re-mounted just last week, I'll be able to take the needed measurements for ordering it. The local shops price didn't include the extra zippers for future curtains. Current priority is finishing everything needed to get her back in the water asap.
Hi,
What was the final price? We're you satisfied with the bimini?
Thanks,
Chris
Long shot. Does anybody know of any CAD or drawings for a C34 Dodger? I recently saw the list of desirable Dodger features.
The only Dodger manufacturer I have found is Iversons and they are extremely expensive. (Albeit awesome apparently).
Alternatively, I could make 3D CAD if I knew good attachment points on the boat and desirable key dimensions.
I wouldn't recommend that approach. Use a local canvas shop to ensure proper fit. And yes, dodgers are expensive. Figure $2,500 - $4,500, but lots of variables. Search "dodger cost" on this site and other dodger keyword strings. Lot's written here. But consider inflation factor on any old price quotes mentioned.
Quote from: Sophie on May 21, 2017, 11:41:44 AM
I want to install a bimini and dodger. Can somebody recommend a good dodger? Do I need to take measurements or do manufacturers know the dimensions of a MK 1 34?
Will you be doing the full shot, w/ connecting awning? That's what the local guy recommended when I first had my 30 done, and I wouldn't ever go any other way. I'm glad that I went w/ his recommendation.
Looks awesome. I think that Dodger, Bimini and connecting awning is the way to go and I would like to cost such a set up. Need to find somebody who supplies them. I have not turned up anything so far apart from Iversons who are a little too expensive.
A guy in my marina had a custom all fiberglass dodger made for his Cat 38 some years ago for 3K. I will try to post a picture if folks would be interested.
Meanwhile I am still looking for C34 CAD or drawings / dimensions plus attachment points so that I can model a Dodger in 3D.
Any local Marine canvas guy who deals with sailboat that's worth his salt should be able to do that no problem. My guy specifically made it a "California style" dodger. The dodger is totally hard-point supported, no straps -- the Bimini is rail supported. Super strong.
This winter I bought a dodger and bimini from Catalina Yachts. I'm very pleased. Was just like the original. Price was much lower then the local canvas people were quoting. If you think your canvas is OEM call Hilaio at 1 818 470-9664 all he want to know from me was the hull number.
Reading "The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat" I no longer think an all fiberglass Dodger is a good thing. (Windage).
@Jim - when you say you bought a dodger and bimini do you mean just the canvas? I am still looking for a frame maker.
Thank you
Quotewhen you say you bought a dodger and bimini do you mean just the canvas?
Yes. I just bought the replacement canvas.