Perfect bimini for the 26M

[They Theirs]

Aya 16 and others, including myself use the larger Bimini on our boats. Our bows have the base mount on the hull/deck joint. Aya 16 has some trick slip joints in his bow to set the overall height to clear the boom for sailing, and re-store the headroom for motoring or sitting at anchor. (I believe they slip like the push button locks on crutches) Lots of Shade, at least a foot wider than a stock Bimini, maybe more.

[delevi]

Looks great. I just might get one too. My issue is that I have stern rail seats. If it rests on the back stanchions, it may just overlap those seats

[They Theirs]

Aya 16 extra wide/large adjustable height Bimini with bows outside at hull/Deck joint.

[parrothead]

popI,

As noted in my original post, the measurements of the bimini that I installed do suggest that it is about a foot too wide and a bit too tall for the , but in fact there's sufficient "flex" in the standard aluminum frame to easily attach it to genoa track-mounted slides. Drawing the frame bases inwards may also serve to reduce the effective height of the top a little. In any event, we have used ours every day that we've been sailing since installing it, and the boom clears when the main is fully sheeted in. The clearance is close - so some fiddling with angle of the bimini supports and the tension on the underside straps may be required.

We do not have the optional stern seats, but I suspect that they would require a different bimini.

[ssichler]

We have this great bimini and the stern seats. Doesn't seem to be a problem.

[delevi]

Thanks ssichler and Thank you Parothead for the idea. One more item on the mods list. Chaching! This bimini is very well priced, however.

Leon

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Aya 16 has some trick slip joints in his bow to set the overall height to clear the boom for sailing, and re-store the headroom for motoring or sitting at anchor. (I believe they slip like the push button locks on crutches)

Aya 16 - Did you use the push button locks from crutches or did you find something better?

[Paul S]

Thinking of doing this mod.

I don't plan on using the geneoa track, but would prefer to deck mount it. For those who have ordered this, does it come with the deck mounting hardware, or does it need to be purchased? I assume it comes with the straps to keep it up.

Where on the gunnels would be the optimal place to mount the frame/mount?

Look forward to installing this!!

Also, I tried using coupon code vsav15 at overtons and it works (get 15% off your order)

Paul

[parrothead]

Paul ,

The bimini does come with the fittings needed to mount it to a horizontal surface [and with the straps] BUT, if you don't use the genoa track mounts, I expect that you'd need to order one with a taller frame. Aya 16's unit, shown above in this thread, is mounted atop the flange where the deck and hull meet.

We really like having the ability to slide the top fore & aft on the genoa track to maximize cockpit shade on different points of sail - especially in the afternoon [did so yesterday]. There are tracks that could be mounted on the gunwhale flange to give you the same flexibility - see "Track/Brace Assemblies" on the Overtons site, for example - but I have no personal experience with them.

[Paul S]

true. Just lookin at some pics of the boat. I was going to mount it just outside the track, but second thought, there is not a lot of room there, so the track mount might work better.

Any problems with the boom under sail with this top?

[parrothead]

No problem with clearing the boom under sail. We've used the bimini every day, except for one light-air afternoon/evening sail when we were playing around with using the aysm only and I wanted a full view of it.

[parrothead]

One further comment. When sailing with the bimini up you can't see the masthead. We put Davis Wind-Tels http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products ... pnum=01260 on the shrouds. They work very well -- I just snap them onto the shrouds before we leave the slip, remove and store them when we return.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

One further comment. When sailing with the bimini up you can't see the masthead. We put Davis Wind-Tels http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products ... pnum=01260 on the shrouds. They work very well -- I just snap them onto the shrouds before we leave the slip, remove and store them when we return.

Cassette tape works well for this.

[aya16]

Bill I use the adjustable storage brace legs that you can buy from west marine.
I took the inner leg cut it ran it up the og bimini leg then put the locking
plastic piece from the storage brace leg on my bimini leg. Now soon Ill be buying
a solid piece or put a wood dowl inside the smaller tube as it will give it more support. also use line instead of the og the straps to adjust the tightness
of the bimini with a truckers not and half hitch.
The bimini itself is attached to the side of my boat, not on the deck.
Rail seats can be used with bimini stored extended almost all the way
up the mast crutch. With the bimini open and in its lowest position the boom will clear about 1/2 inch above.

[aya16]

also because the bimini is so large it can be tipped fore and aft to shade
with out having slides. There is over 6 feet of head room when the bimini is extended up when standing on the cockpit floor. also use magntic tent light from coleman to to light the cockpit.