Non Boat Specific Sun protection bimini on CC boats

[Grant Seeley]

I have to sell my current boat (Dehler) as I cannot install a bimini to use whilst sailing and need to stay out of the sun where possible. I will be looking at the CC boats (38 to 45 foot or so) where the traveller is placed behind the central cockpit. Is it practical to have a bimini in place on these boats whilst sailing? Will it provide decent shade or does it have to be fairly minimal to avoid fouling the main sheet?
I appreciate that from behind sun protection might be limited. It may also be better for me to look at the S38 which should accommodate more med style bimini sun cover? Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Ian Brearley]

Hi,

We have a Moody 44 in the Med. It has a bikini over the cockpit. Whilst narrower than Aft cockpit yachts it provides adequate shade most of the time somewhere in the cockpit. With low sun there is a problem so we have side screens. We can extend these whilst at anchor or in harbour to the guard rail.

Using the traveller whilst downwind stops any clash of mainsheet and bikini. No problem whilst beating.

Ian

 

[Barry Cundy]

Hi Grant,
When we bought SW 7years ago it had a small cockpit side mounted bimini, that made getting in & out of the cockpit difficult (I’m 6’3” tall) and interfered with the winches, our solution was to have a toe-rail mounted bimini made;

This gives good sun/rain protection, makes getting in/out of cockpit easy and doesn’t interfere with the mainsheet, so can stay up when sailing, although I did have to move where the mainsheet attaches to the boom further back, rather than it being vertical.



These are the only photos I currently have, but can provide more next week when we’re back on SW.

Regards
Barry

 

[Grant Seeley]

Thank you guys for the response. Ian, I like the idea of side screens in port. Barry I particularly like the set up you have put together on your boat and the profile picture shows it to good effect. Its that cover whilst sailing that is critical for me and I am 6'2" so that's a great example for me. On a down wind leg does the main catch the top with it being so wide?
On my current boat we tend to only use a code down wind (the small genoa is not effective) as they are so easy to deploy and i was thinking that this might also be an effective solution for the down wind legs on a Moody.

 

[Barry Cundy]

Hi Grant,
The mainsheet doesn’t really catch the Bimini cover/ frame when the boom is fully out/ forward for down wind sailing, as the traveller goes edges of cockpit, we’re going to the boat tomorrow, so over the weekend I’ll take some more pictures to better show the whole set up.
Rgds Barry

 

[Barry Cundy]

HiGrant,
As promised some more pictures of bimini …….. whilst sat in the marina, as wind far too strong to potter around sailing!
Bimini away, stores just above spray hood;

Bimini out;

I’ve then pulled the boom forward, as it would be going downwind;

It just catches the port aft bimini tensioner above, but this picture I’ve just ease the tension slightly, so mainsheet is straight;

Hope this helps?
Regards Barry

 

[Grant Seeley]

Thankyou Barry for taking the time and effort. that's exactly what I wanted to see.
It looks like very good protection unless the sun is directly to the rear at which point I could move forwards and use the pilot. My current boat with its central winch system does not allow any bimini which is fine for northern climes but we want to go south
It's very much appreciated.

 

[Paul Cleaver]

Hi Grant.

While you are looking for ideas you may like to look at Gemini Marine. They do a tensioning bar system for the frame so no straps are needed. I've always found straps get in the way so designed my bimini without them. They also sell some rather unusual fittings.

Gemini Marine Canvas - We love your boat

We'e got you covered. Exclusive, award-winning designs. Treat your boat to our stunning canvas and immaculate upholstery.

www.geminicanvas.com

Regards,
Paul.

 

[Marc Smith]

Grant. I built a Bimini that works with the center cockpit and doesn’t interfere with the main sheets except when doing at extreme down wind angles. https://www.moodyowners.info/threads/lets-make-a-bimini.22857/. Here are some pics at the end of that thread.

Surprised that you can’t find someone to build a Bimini for your dehler. Most canvass folks are damn near artists when figuring our what works.

 

[Grant Seeley]

Thanks Marc. Unfortunately I don't have access to that thread.
My boar has the central winch system so all of the lines and main sheet arrive just in front of the helm. Behind the helm is the dual back stay although I think they could be moved. I have had two cover specialists take a look to see if something could be done.

 

[Marc Smith]

here are pics of my bimini/dodger that I build

have a friend who has a J34c he had the main sheet right in front of the helm with an adjustable backstay behind its tight but he was able to get a bimini in place. ultimately ended up attaching non flexible solar panels to the Bimini frame

down side is that he has a gap between the bimini and dodger than cant be filled while sailing. I;m sure some velcroesdpanels or zippered panels could be installed but it would add another step to tacking and such...