[Rhodes22-list] BIMINI

[Karen Fiske / Marc Beroz]

Lloyd,

How much does the bimini restrict you in boarding the boat from the dock? I
will be folding it up when I leave for the day but I'm sure I'll be going on
& off the boat many times with the bimini up. Do you just release one of the
straps & squeeze in between the bimini & cockpit or bimini & pushpit?

We occassionally get transport to shore by water taxi. If we keep the bimini
up while we're away (only for the day) would it be OK to leave a strap
unattached with the boat at anchor (assuming non-storm conditions). The
option would be to always fold the bimini when we're away.

We also have a plastic step that we hang with line between the winch & aft
horn cleat when we're using our dingy. The step hangs over the outside of
the boat & we use it to get in & out of our dingy. We find it much easier to
use than the rear boarding ladder. Looks like that with the bimini up, the
use of this step is out - or at least a much bigger hassle.

What bothers me most though is where the sliders for the bimini mount want
to be on the jib track. That forward 18" or so is where I make the bulk of
my jib track adjustments. Can the bimini be located further back on the
track or will the bimini then rub on the backstays?

Any of your comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Marc
Clinton, CT


----- Original Message -----
  From: lcrowther
  To: rhodes-list@sailnet.net
  Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 6:31 PM
  Subject: Re: [rhodes-list] Re: Bimini


  I have entered my answers after each question. - Lloyd
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Karen Fiske / Marc Beroz
    To: rhodes-list@sailnet.net
    Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 7:21 AM
    Subject: Re: [rhodes-list] Re: Bimini


    Hi Lloyd,

    Want to make sure I understand you. I took snippets out of your last
post followed by questions where I need clarrification.

       "At the same time I bought two sliders to mount the Bimini frame on
the tracks, "

      I assume the sliders are mounted on the jib track just like the jib
cars. With the sliders mounted to the rear of the jib cars, is there enough
room to fully make jib lead adjustments. I rarely pull my cars back as far
as the winches.

      My sliders are mounted in front of the jib cars.  When I am not using
the Bimini I keep it far foward on the track and tipped foward so that I can
open the cabin sliding-hatch behind the undeployed Bimini.  I only move the
slide back less than a foot (as best I can recall it being the end of
December) to use it.  I marked the slide locations on my deck next to the
track to be sure the Bimini will be perpendicular to the boat's beam either
up or down.

      "4 "U" shape fittings for the snaps at the end of the straps that come
with the Bimini, and 8 screws for those fittings that I screwed through the
deck"

      Are you screwing just the forward strap fittings through the deck?
Where are the fittings placed in relation to the opeing for rain water to
leave the deck? The rear strap fittings are located where - same surface as
the jib track?

      The  forward fittings I placed on the forward upturn of the opening
for the rain water to leave the deck.  I placed the after fittings as close
to the front of the pushpit mounting as I could and still leave room to
attach the snaps (including knuckle room). Remember, this is where I put
them, not necessarily the right or best location although the forward
location was about the same as on the boats I saw at G.B.  All the fittings
are screwed to the deck near the outside edge.

      "These were the standard pieces of Bimini mounting hardware that G.B.
was using at that time except they sometimes mounted the Bimini frame
directly to the deck because the sliders are the most expensive pieces of
the mounting gear and maybe people don't like them.  "

      Do you know what folks didn't like about them?

      Probably the cost.  Most people never had a Bimini on their Rhodes22
except the ones that were on them when I saw them at G.B. so I doubt that
they could intelligently discuss the pros and cons of using a sliding mount.
Maybe you could poll other users - I can not speak to their likes and
dislikes.

      " and remember if you use the track slides you can change the Bimini
location because the eyepad locations do not seem as critical as the Bimini
frame base location."

      I would guess that I can have the bimini anywhere on the track as long
as I don't bind with the pop-top or backstays & as long as I always have the
straps from the bimini tubing oriented so the forward straps are always led
forward and the aft straps are always led aft.

      What are the straps made of? Do they stretch? Is there a a button or a
hook at the end of the strap? Any misgivings about having the bimini?

      The straps are some type of cloth webbing, maybe 3/8 inch wide but I
am not sure of the width, and are lenght adjusted through a fitting like
those you would find on a fanny pack.  If they do stretch it should not be a
problem.  There is a snap hook on the end that connects to the deck fitting.
The other end stays attached to the frame all the time, I roll them around
the Bimini before I put the cover back on.  I am still evaluating the pros
and cons but if I bought another boat today I would like a Bimini on it.
Most of the con comments I have read on the list complain about storing a
Bimini when it is not in use.

      Thanks for the help
      Marc
      Clinton, CT