Bimini Tops for 26X

[Divecoz]

What kind of problems need to be overcome if you just buy a good quality Bimini say from Cabelas ?? They seem to be about the right width and length and height . . .? Have the alterations been so difficult that this is just not a viable solution?$?$

[kmclemore]

I pulled the link so it wont become an issue. The link wasnt important anyway it just showed where you can get a cheaper bimini.

Not sure what the big deal is I might be missing something I just thought if you click on a long address or a short word it works the same. Is it because its not pretty? I really dont know. But it sounds as if it offends some so we dont want to do that. So as not to offend (still dont know how)
I wont post anymore links and if we are voting and its not a rule I vote let the poster decide. Geees I feel like I just kicked my dog. I ll go give her a hug and a cookie.

I don't think it was offensive to anyone, but the long links sometimes expand the screen horizontally (depending on screen size and settings) forcing people to have to scroll sideways in addition to vertically for that entire page of posts. It is just annoying, but not offensive. I don't think anyone is upset, they are just trying to show you how to make your links shorter to make the pages easier to read. I did the same thing awhile back and was shown how to embed my links. You aren't the first that will be shown how to embed your links nor will you be the last. The good thing is that it only takes a few minutes to learn and keeps the pages easier to read for everyone. I don't remember who showed me where to learn how to do it, but I am glad they did.

Jeff S

Thanks, Jeff and Frank.

I wasn't in *ANY* way trying to be offensive or nasty, and if anyone took it that way I do apologise. And AYA16, this is certainly not a personal thing with you at all - you are only one of the many that seem to be doing it lately. But it's like Jeff says, it just makes reading the forum really difficult. A one-half-minute kind action on the poster's part makes it so much easier for everyone else who then reads it - it's just a matter of common forum courtesy.

And it's not about being "cool" or nerdy with posting links nifty looking links... it's just a way to be nice to others by making the board more readable. And to make it simple, this is Heath's board and as he has said, "This is the proper way of inserting URL's."

Now, I don't know of this helps you or not, but I use Mozilla and there's a GREAT extension available - BBCode - and it adds a menu to your mouse so that if you right-click when you are posting text, it gives you an easy menu to make stuff bold, underlined or even add colors... and also, to take stuff from your clipboard (like the URL you copied) and make your posting text into a nice tidy link. Everyone with Mozilla or Firefox should *definitely* try it - it works really nicely.

[Idle Time]

Have you come up with any estimates for a full enclosure?

[Moondance]

Hi

Our plan is to add side and rear window panels to the bimini later this year and then work on a dodger and a piece to bridge the 2.

We don't plan on anything as extensive as some of the full enclosures ( such as the Dowsar ) as I personally can't see a big market for something that complete.

It seems like it would take a lot of time to set up and take down and I think MOST people sail when the weather forecast is looking good.

I think most people would like to have something that they can put up quickly if the weather turns bad on a long weekend sail and then stow quickly when it clears up.

My rough estimate would be about $1200 for the complete set.

I don't think we'll have it ready until well into the summer.....but well try for earlier if at all possible.

[aya16]

Bill Ill Pm you how and you made me scratch my head again when you talked about alum. crutches. you sir are a master. what a great idea.
never mind the Pm I took a pair of extendable back suports for the bimini
I bought at west marine (www.westmarine) the smaller of the two pieces fit nice up inside the bimini legs. You have to cut it down and use the fitting with the lock nut but it works great untill you told me another stonger way.



divcoz: Cabelas or for that matter any other boat mailorder place

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Do a goooooooooogle for bimini tops

I don't want or need a full enclosure. I would like a bimini that is height adjustable. I would use this while sailing.
Beached, anchored, etc. I like a boom tent. A tarp over the boom. The topping lift would make this height adjustable. Tie down the four corners. It can be pulled to one side, or the other, to block the sun. Don't use one of those blue plastic tarps. They make too much noise.
This could also be attached to the mast carrier on the 26M. One of the reasons I'm putting the 26M mast carrier on my Mac 19.

[Divecoz]

Bill@boats 4 sail wrote:

I would like a bimini that is height adjustable. I would use this while sailing

Hahaha Bill as the founder of NASA how could YOU adjust this thing in height ??

[DLT]

I would love to get a competitively priced Dodger. I'd think you'd likely want to design one that will work on either the X or the M, as I think the M's boom is a bit lower...

Anyway, that's my next canvas investment...

For me, it needs to be real sturdy, and maybe even have hand holds on the side. This probably requires a Stainless frame and fittings...

It would have to cover the entire companionway, to keep out rain, but it can't interfere with the M's mainsheet...

[Captain Steve]

I am still interested in a Dodger for a 26X....

[jsserene]

Bob, any more info on the dodger and sides for your bimini top? Also, does the boom tent come in any other color than blue?



Jeff

[Moondance]

I was actually just working on the window panels for the the Bimini this week.

We hope to have the patterns all finished sometime in July and ready to go into production.

We'll be working on the dodger towards the end of July..

The Biminis and Boom Tents come in Blue, Black and Silver.

The Biminis are made with Sunbrella while the Boomtents are made with another less expensive marine fabric ( as it's so big and Sunbrella is so expensive ).

The Blue and Black in the differnt materials are close in color while the Silver boomtent is very silver as opposed to the silver Sunbrella which is a very very light grey ( almost white )

-----
I was just out for an overnight this weekend.

We put the boomtent up ( with the bimini ) in the afternoon and it kept the strong sun at bay. It was very pleasant under there, much cooler. You can fold up one side of the boomtent ( opposite to the sun ) so you can climb in and out onto the dock without a problem.

In the evening when the dew was covering the rest of the boat it was nice and dry under the bimini and boomtent. Also in the morning when we got up the seats were nice and dry and there were no bugs stuck with dew everywhere.

Everyone else with an open cockpit was having to wipe down everywhere so they could sit down for breakfast.

I think with the window panels on..in the evening, it will be like sitting in your living room.

For me...that's all the enclosure I think I'll ever need for the X.

Set up time for everything ( take the cover off the Bimini and open...set up the boomtent ) about 2 1/2 min.

I estimate the time to attach the window panels would probably be an extra 3 min or so.

I'll try and keep you up to date as we get more done on them.

On the way home last night we passed another 26X going the opposite way. We all waved like a bunch of kids at the Santa Clause parade.

Happy Sailing.

Bob

[Captain Steve]

I see my pevious post was in feb...but I still am interested in a dodger. My wife loves the new carpet set and the boomtent keeps the sun off her perfectly. She is the seamstress of our family and comments on the quality of the stiching on the boom tent! Keep up the good work.

[Hubert]

Bob,
Why are these only shipped out in the US and no CDN shipping option on your site if you are in Kingston, Ont.?
Hubert

[Moondance]

95% of everything we ship is within the US and our web guy hadn't set it up for other countries.

We're seeing more of our products shipping to Canada now that the CAD $ has gotten stronger so we should probably add the option on our ordering page.

Up to now we've always just taken the orders via the phone or via email.

We've also been shipping a bit to Europe recently. We've shipped a couple of Biminis to England recently and 1 to Greece and a set of 26X carpets to Sweden.

Bob