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I’m out of patience searching the archives guys, so in 2021 there must be a general consensus as to which Bimini is best? ....Just the Bimini, as i don’t intend to enclose the cockpit and would like, of course, to sail with the Bimini up.

I saw one, I think, that slid back enough to clear the boom for sailing and then forward with the mainsail down. I bought the boat new, but never got a Bimini because of the notion, that “the Bimini is always in the way.”

Surely the best Bimini was thought out years ago, right ?

Thank you, Paul

Frank would know, but he’s not around anymore : (

My Bimini, dodger, side and back curtains, and bridge section are from Dowsar, but I don’t know if they’re still offering them. The Bimini is small and not in the way of sailing. Very well made. At over 20 years old, it’s still solid, though I’ve restitched it and replaced dodger windows myself.

http://www.dowsar.com/images/canvas_l.jpg

sailfish02 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:59 pm I’m out of patience searching the archives guys, so in 2021 there must be a general consensus as to which Bimini is best? ....Just the Bimini, as i don’t intend to enclose the cockpit and would like, of course, to sail with the Bimini up.

I saw one, I think, that slid back enough to clear the boom for sailing and then forward with the mainsail down. I bought the boat new, but never got a Bimini because of the notion, that “the Bimini is always in the way.”

Surely the best Bimini was thought out years ago, right ?

Thank you, Paul

Macs are all things to all people so it's basically impossible to have a consensus, just a lot of informed opinions on what is best for one particular owner or another.

A properly built enclosure has a bimini, dodger, and connector piece that can be removed for sailing, plus a rear panel and two side panels. The bimini can be high enough to stand under, and the dodger can be low enough for the boom under sail. At least for the X model they can.

Blue Water Yachts is the go-to for Macgregor parts, including cockpit enclosures.

We prefer the wide enclosure, others like the narrow one. We prioritize space in the cockpit while others prioritize ease of going forward to mess with the sails and anchor.

Thanks a lot Tom, a picture of your setup would be cool, too. Are the stock type (BWY) any good ? I’m getting a late start here, and an “off the rack” is appealing as well.

Yours at 20 yrs old sounds like a good one

Thank you starscream, I have bought some stuff from BWY and they have really carried the torch for Macs

Don’t have any pics on this here iPad, but click the link I posted above and you’ll see the exact setup on Dowsar’s web site.

I posted some pics years ago, but I’m sure those images don’t exist now as they were photobucket links. I’ll put some up during the week when I’m on my work machine if nobody else does.

Don’t know about BWY’s Bimini, but many folks have them, so I’m sure they’re also fine.

As the former owner of the 2001 'Over Easy', I am not aware multiple versions of biminis for that model / year. The bimini I sailed and motored with was original and performed its function without need for adjustment between preferences.

Well shoot ! Biminis are not a hot top this week but over the years I recall some discussion. For now I’ll look at Dowsar and have already looked into BWY.

The frame is large and makes shipping more expensive

Thank you

We have the BWY complete surround with the wide dodger. The bimini is aft of the boom, so we can sail with it up, but it's hard to see the sails. If we have it up sailing, I usually fold it back a bit so that I can lean forward and see. I'm 5'9" and when I stand up, my head rubs on it. I think the Dowstar version is taller, but I don't know for sure.

A bimini is almost a must-have item. We spend a lot of time camping out on the boat and when the weather is questionable, the complete surround is really nice to have. We usually have four or more of us and it's cramped in just the cabin.

Jeff

C Buchs wrote: ↑Tue Apr 13, 2021 6:44 pmI'm 5'9" and when I stand up, my head rubs on it. I think the Dowstar version is taller, but I don't know for sure.

I’m 5’-11” and my head doesn’t touch the Dowsar Bimini. I did put a ‘window’ in it so I can see the mast windex from the helm, though.

When I use my Bimini, I simply wrap a couple of loops of my topping lift around my boom (which raises the boom a few inches) and use my Bimini. There's more than one way to do this.

sailfish02 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:59 pm I’m out of patience searching the archives guys, so in 2021 there must be a general consensus as to which Bimini is best? ....Just the Bimini, as i don’t intend to enclose the cockpit and would like, of course, to sail with the Bimini up.

I saw one, I think, that slid back enough to clear the boom for sailing and then forward with the mainsail down. I bought the boat new, but never got a Bimini because of the notion, that “the Bimini is always in the way.”

Surely the best Bimini was thought out years ago, right ?

Thank you, Paul

I emailed Dowsar for quote and delivery time and they said that they were sold out due to “high demand” and invited me to buy in 2022. I’ll try BWY and see what they say.

I might be using an umbrella

sailfish02 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:18 am ... invited me to buy in 2022 ...

WOW!

Jeff

C Buchs wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:39 am

sailfish02 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:18 am ... invited me to buy in 2022 ...

WOW!

Jeff

Wow indeed. That's crazy.