Mahe 36: Bimini

[MKB53]

Thanks Daniel. I think the centre panel will really make it look like it was meant to be there. The centre is pretty scruffy as it is at the moment. You could probably not see it from your angle!

Struggling to get a nice fair curve on my Helm cover at the moment. Putting a bend along 1.4M without distorting it is interesting. I am learning as I go and I think a few mods to my Jig will do the trick.

Sorry I could not stick around to chat but I was late meeting up with some others.

Cheers
Martin

[Cotemar]

If anyone is looking for a factory canvas bimini, then please PM (Private Message) me as I have my 2 year old one for sale.

Its still in nice shape.

I have an Azek hard top bimini now over the cockpit and helm now.

[MKB53]

Likewise if anyone in the Aus area needs a canvas bimini send me a PM. I have an unused factory bimini I bought from Longislandsail a while ago.

Martin

[DtM]

and Martin made a very nice hard bimini

[Cotemar]

Pictures please

[MKB53]

Here are some old ones taken before I tidied up the trim, sealed the forward edge and made the helm cover a bit bigger.
.
I am busy fitting some flexible solar panels and will post more of the finished product when that is done. A bit messy at the moment.

The edge of bimini has a track fitted so the side covers now slide in on a boltrope and I have fitted a s/s rubbing strip to the port aft corner to protect it from the mainsheet. There are clears that attach to the bimini cover as well.

Cheers
Martin

[Cotemar]

Martin,
Very nice job. I like the bolt rope on the outside of the tube. I put it on the inside.
I have to do a windshield like yours. It's nice to see others ideas. Thanks for showing us

[MKB53]

I overlapped the frame by about 25mm so I could make a thicker edge which, I think, looks a bit better. The downside is it is 20mm closer to the mainsheet! The rubbing strip is necessary. The hard top can take a lot more punishment than the canvas but the boltrope track was looking a bit 2nd hand after a few sails!

[MKB53]

The other big win is that I took the port edge out to the edge of the saloon and not 150mm in like the original. Stops all the rain running down onto the port seat.

[DtM]

The only other thing I would have done is to raise the bimini about 300mm like we did with our soft bimini. Saves bumping your head on the aft port corner even if you are tall like me.

[MKB53]

If you are planning to put a windshield in the main issue is leaving space to work the winches. You either go small or very big.

I found the small screen works well. The starboard side of the seat is a bit exposed but I actually like having the wind on my face so I tend to sit there and take cover to port when it is too cold, too hot or too wet. Of course if the Admiral is up top I take to the elements regardless.

With the hard canopy it makes a good shelter and good vis with a clear down to the bimini. I have made a clear for the starboard side but seldom use it. Only to keep rain out. The steel frame at the aft end is a compromise so don't look to closely! I re-used the one for the soft top rather than make up a complete new one.

[Cotemar]

I used .125 inch thick clear plexiglass as a side shield for the helm bimini.
It keeps the water out of the cockpit and the wind from blowing across the helm.

[MKB53]

Hi Guys

I have now pretty much completed the bimini and solar panel installation. Only the forward edge to fill and a couple of wires to hide. Just letting the panels run for a few days as when I fill the forward edge the connections will be hard to get to!

[1rkghost]

What brand and size solar panels are those they look great?

[MKB53]

The panels are 120W and are only slightly bigger than the Solbian 100W panels.
I bought them from Fusion Catamarans (Aus) who market them as their own brand & spec. I assume they are all sourced from China nowadays.

The construction looks good quality and very similar to the Solbian panels but they were a LOT cheaper and higher output for the area.

Too early to give any real data on output and durability but in heavy overcast they were still putting out a couple of amps. 25V open circuit.