Bimini so far

Posted By: Jim I, 94 S25 'H2O', Wilmington, NC
Date: 8/28/09 6:31a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Excellent write up and it looks great!! (Bud)

Bud, Funny you should mention that because I was kicking around a few modifications based on what some others have done. As you can see in this poor cell phone photo taken last week in a downpour, the crew abandons me to the dry cabin and lets me take her in. You can also see that the sternrail seats I promised my kids have not been completed yet. I have the SS and starboard, I just need to complete the work. I can say that sailing with shade has allowed us to do a lot more sailing and the kids will even venture out the inlet into the ocean now. Modifications. I am considering a radar arch or hoop across the stern to hold the rear of the bimini up and to secure the backstay. The backstay still seems to get in the way a bit even though the middle support of the bimini holds it up some. Jeff Peltier has made this mod and I really like the suggestion he made to tie in the catbird seats. If I can redo the stern rail to accomodate the seats, build in a rear hoop to zip the back of the bimini to and attach the backstay, and an attachment for the mast crutch roller I would be in business! The way I am doing the seats now is similar to the Stern Perch brand seats and it may bee a bit cramped because the stern rail does not bow out. I am still need to adjust the rear supports that I used to eliminate the straps. They tend to want to rotate outward because I made the top as wide as I could to accomodate the seats. The roll down sides are a work in progress but they do help. The rain is blowing in from starboard in the photo so I have that side rolled down and clipped to the cross support. It also helps the rain run over the side and not into the cockpit. I lost one of the clips for the port side si I need to make another one. The Strataglass needs a good cleaning and polishing already and I need to clean the surface rust off the SS. Always something but overall happy with it. Jim