BIMINI

When I originally constructed the saloon top I’d provided further overhang then specified in the plan (an additional 200 mm) in an endeavour to create more shelter from the sun and I am glad I did as without it it would have been unbearable at times in the South Australian sun.

The extra overhang enabled me to reach the end of the mainsail boombag but did not provide the access needed to stow the reefing lines, which would hang down behind it once the sail was dropped, nor allow one to reach the start of the zipper to zip up the bag. To this end I used an old plank with some cleats on to breach the gap from the saloon top to the targa. As there was nowhere to stow the plank it was usually left behind on the marina finger.

With the bimini I wanted to provide shade, access to stow the mainsail, rain cover for the aft cabin hatches, all without interfering with access on and off the boat but was at a loss as to how to achieve this. None of the marine upholsterers I talked to came up with a solution until I visited a blind / curtain shop where I saw zippered patio blinds. This system also provided the needed aluminium sections and I was able to sketch up a solution which allowed me to get a quote.

The quote for the fabric component was more then I wanted to spend at that stage but as I was confident I had the right solution I decided to go ahead with the plank as the temporary solution was getting to be past it’s use by date.

 

The plank is made up out of 2 layers of 10 mm Klegecell foam, spaced 40 apart, laminated both sides with 600 gm/m2 glass. It was nice to work with foam, resin and glass again after what must be 3 years since I last did it.

It’s designed be self supporting between the targa and the saloon top, a lip atthe saloon and wedge at the targa end. I also incorporated locating bolts, with the ones on the targa end providing shear support.

I deliberately did not make these connections to strong as I believed nothing other then laminating the plank into the boat would be strong enough (considering the lateral movement induced by the mainsail on the targa), nor did I want to interfere with the design parameters of the targa. I was proved correct as the lateral spacing bolts in the saloon roof pulled out in no time.

Whilst installing the plank I met an upholsterer at the marina who offered to do it for considerably less money and in time for the Tasmania trip so I arranged to get it done.

When he first made it up he missed the unequal spacing of the zippers from the two ends, which I agreed to fix by adding in another zipper, else the bimini wouldn’t have been finished in time for the trip.

It’s amazing how this bimini seems to increase the space of the cockpit, it somehow brings the cockpit and saloon together.

Apart from providing much wanted shadow, it proved to be very beneficial in the continual rain we encountered in Tasmania. As a result we tended to sail with the bimini in position most of the time. Positioning the main traveller relies on communication between helmsman and trimmer.

With both covers rolled up, un interrupted vision of the traveller is restored and the installation becomes far more weather proof.

The set up is capable of enduring reasonably harsh conditions, except that the tube ends at the saloon end flipped out a few times in a very strong blow. This we overcame with some temporary rope ties around the ends. In the longer term I’ll install some self locking pins

 

We also found that the rain will pond in the covers and put quite a bit of stress on the system. This would be fixed easily by punching some holes thru the fabric, however I have not done this as yet as I am in 2 minds about trying to collect the water, if I can figure out how without interfering with the system.

 

 

 The aft cabin rain covers (currently made up too short) are fixed  to Velcro lined tabs that run along the ends and then secured with bungee cords to the lifelines.