Biminis

[Tedd]

We don't have a boat yet, but are quite interested in the classic MacGregors. However, my wife's skin is very sensitive to sunlight, and she's worried about the amount of exposure she'll get on a sailboat. I've seen a few pictures of classic MacGregors with bimini tops, and I have a few questions about them.

They look like they might tend to interfere with the boom and lines. Is it even possible to sail with the bimini up? In my (admittedly limited) experience with sailing boats large enough to have a cabin, there's a fair bit of roaming around on the deck adjusting the lines and so on. Doesn't the bimini get in the way of that? I see a sunshade option on the MacGregor web site, for new boats, but they don't seem to sell one for the older models. Are they available in the after-market, or are the ones I've seen custom made?

[RobertB]

Get the bimini - and a topping lift. Set up the topping lift with two positions: one longer than needed when the sail is raised, The other shorter to make sure the boom clears the bimini (and remember to take it off this setting when sailing).

[Tedd]

RobertB:

Thanks, that sounds like a good set-up.

Tedd

[Default User]

I have a '92 Mac s and have no problem sailing with the bimini in the up position. I do have a topping lift, but only one setting for it.

While I do have to lean over to get into the cockpit with the bimini up, I would not do without it. Bimini is worth its weight in gold.

Good Luck,
dave

[81venture]

When I installed my bimini I used "slides" on the rails....Now I can move the bimini either forward or backward both while it is deployed, and also when it is furled up...so I can lay it on the back of the cockpit, or flip it up over the hatch and its out of the way....happy to take pics if you'd like

I have sailed with our "lake mast" with the bimini up, but have not tried it with the large mast yet.

cheers

Dave

[Captain_Kirk]

I'd like to see pictures if you don't mind. I have a Venture 2-24 and have thought about adding a bimini. It would be great to see how it is arranged while dealing with boom and rigging on the boat.

[WASP18]

My wife is also sensitive to the sun and I've been advised (dermatologist) to beware. Actually, that's advise for all of us according to the medical world. The sun reflections from a white cockpit are pretty strong. We have a Bimini which came with the boat (26X) and I just added a dodger. With a dodger, your wife can sit inside the cabin with the hatch open and feel protected from the sun yet not feel detached from the cockpit.

[bartmac]

We have 2 Biminis and a dodger.....the forward Bimini is on a cockpit combing sliding track...overlaps the dodger and can be moved forward to allow a mainsheet gap between the front and rear Bimini...so we can sail with good shade...mind you not all the cockpit is shaded at all times but even with 4 people with a bit of juggling...all can have reasonable shade especially upper body....and given our global position in Australia ie closer to the equator the sun is very damaging ...so much so we have a whole range of methods of limiting sun exposure including side curtain to go with our biminis...works great when anchored not so great when sailing

[dvideohd]

Sumner and a few others posted some great info on installing and using an "oversize" bimini...

I was seriously impressed and ordered a similar bimini to install.. great prices & Canadian, too!!

I haven't installed.. (working on a two burner stove install now....) but the bimini and boom controls are the second project up.. (mast raising kit, first)....

there are some great - documented - installation stories on this... As Sumner...

We also have a "boom tent" and "noseeum" mosquito net to integrate... mosquito nets seem like work... but one night out in South Texas Gulf or on the lake... and you appreciate it...

BTW.. our bimini is "oversize" too... and we can zip on "shade cloths" or "sunblock clothes" when needed... You DO HAVE TO TAKE THE SUN SERIOUSLY.. it is both a health and comfort thing...

--jerry
Mac26D

[Russ]

Sumner's bimini pages. He always documents things so well.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-10.html

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-11.html

[Kittiwake]

We don't have a boat yet, but are quite interested in the classic MacGregors. However, my wife's skin is very sensitive to sunlight, and she's worried about the amount of exposure she'll get on a sailboat. ....

I notice you are in the Vancouver area. We got the stock bimini with our 26M, and I am someone who tries to avoid sun exposure; but I might not bother ordering a bimini if I were doing it again. I tend to leave the bimini at home most of the time because anything that reduces deck clutter is worth thinking about. Oddly perhaps, my wife is happy to leave the bimini at home unless she thinks we will have rain. For one thing the BC coast is not noted for its sunshine (very different from Texas). Also the sun is often not directly overhead, and even when it is overhead the glare off the water is a big source of sun exposure under a bimini. We do wear hats with good brims, sunglasses, and long sleeves (cool on the BC coast). But I guess it would be nice to be able to reassure your wife that the bimini option exists.
By the way, because it is often overcast on the BC coast, we take along inexpensive clear colourless UV-blocking safety glasses: darkly coloured sunglasses block too much light on a cloudy BC day.
Kittiwake

[mastreb]

I don't have a Bimini and I wish I did every time I get in my boat. I don't get "burned" to the point of pain, but I definitely get red and then tan every time I go out--and that's with using SPF 30 sunscreen, which is as strong as you can use without making yourself a chalky white. The SoCal sun is just too strong to be in all day without shade. Plus the sun makes a 68 degree day HOT.

Two things have kept me from putting a Bimini on: I don't want to complicate trailering, and I'm extremely reluctant to drill holes in the exterior lining of the boat, as my boat is bone dry now and I'd like to keep it that way.

But I keep thinking about how much less burned I'd get if I had one.

[Obelix]

A Bimini IMHO is essential here in SW Florida's very intense sun. I maintain a good suntan even by using 100x factor sunscreen.

Obelix

[DaveB]

Ain't that the truth, just came back from a 5 day bike ride 262 mile trip to St. Augistine. Tho I had 30 sunscreen I looked like a Red Lobster.
Dave

A Bimini IMHO is essential here in SW Florida's very intense sun. I maintain a good suntan even by using 100x factor sunscreen.

Obelix

[dlandersson]

Ditto. A "toipping lift" is just a thin line run from the mast to the end of the boom. You adjust it by wrapping th boom end around the boom. Voila - boom is higher.

Get the bimini - and a topping lift. Set up the topping lift with two positions: one longer than needed when the sail is raised, The other shorter to make sure the boom clears the bimini (and remember to take it off this setting when sailing).