Forgot password

Bimini without dodger?

  • August 13, 2011 8:50 PM
    Quote
    Message # 675804
    Deleted user

    We are looking to add a bimini to our boat.  Currently we have a setup that only works when the mainsail is down - a kind of boom tent/bimini.  I've seen some westsails with biminis, but they seem to mostly connect to the back of a dodger (which we don't have).  If anyone has a setup without a dodger that works under the boom, could you please post some pictures.  We have a few ideas, but visuals are so much easier.

    Werner, I saw a picture of your boat Rhapsody... do you have any close ups of the bimini?

    Thanks for any help,

    Meaghan
  • August 14, 2011 5:39 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 675935 on 675804
    Deleted user

    Meaghan,

    I had that setup before I had a doger installed and it worked quite well. I will email a full size shot to you as posting would require me to upload it to a web site first. This will also allow you to zoom in and hopefully get enough detail.

    Werner
  • August 14, 2011 5:50 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 675937 on 675804
    Deleted user

    Meaghan,

    Email sent. Let me know if you got it OK.

    Werner

     
  • August 14, 2011 9:25 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 676010 on 675804
    Anonymous member

    The picture above shows my dodger in the foreground and my bimini behind.  My main sheet is in the cockpit and prevents me from having canvas between the dodger and the bimini.

    That bimini is attached to the boom gallows.  It works fine to keep sun and rain off my upper body when standing at the tiller.  When sitting, it shades me when the sun is high in the sky, but not when it's low.

    The main disadvantage is low headroom.  I'm 5'10 and my head just brushes the underside of the bimini when standing.  I must wear a hat to prevent the bimini from wearing off the few remaining hairs i have on my dome..  Anyone taller than I would find it intolerable.

    To correct that headroom problem, I've been wondering if I could order my next replacement mainsail with a 6" shorter luff, lifting the boom higher and then raising the boom gallows.  Has anyone else done that?  Would it upset the boat's balance?

    Good luck.
  • August 14, 2011 2:02 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 676128 on 675804
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    I agree that an extra 6" height would be great but wouldn't the (on my mast) welded on goose neck fitting have to be moved up also?

    I'm 6'2" and the clearance for the bimini / dodger would be an issue as the boom is installed at this time.

    I have made photo album focused on dodgers and bimini installations on Westsails -- Westsail Bimini Dodgers and Shades - in the members area.

    Do feel free to email images at jay_bietz@sbcglobal.net if you wish to contribute.

    Dick - I have the above photo - thanks.

    Like all the slide shows on this site - just double click on the image and you go to the Google photo album.

    Last modified: August 14, 2011 2:51 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • August 15, 2011 12:02 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 676936 on 675804
    Deleted user

    Thanks for the ideas.  I was trying to think up something much more complicated... simple is so much better!  Unfortunately, my access is denied from the member area with the photos that the link took me to, so I can only see what is posted here. 

    Meaghan