Skippers Seat (hatch) and Bimini

[Neo]

Hi All,

I'm trying to rethink the helm area.
Firstly the current Bimini is a struggle and a pain to bring up (from below deck) and put up. And once it's up it higher that the boom which make it impossible to have the Main sail and the Bimini up at the same time. If I make it lower some would complain about headroom ...Has anyone else solved this issue?

Secondly the skippers seat/hatch. I hate the wobbly hinge on one side thing. I was thinking I could get rid of the hinge and have two spring loaded bolt latches either side (inside/underneath the back rest). That way I could lift the hatch aft (like a piano keyboard cover) and remove the hole thing (if need be) to get it out of the way.
Has anyone done any special hatch/seat modifications that fix the wobbly hinge thing?

All the best.
Neo

[kurz]

no idea. But the helm seat broke at the hinge...
So I had to remake it there... I hope it will last longer and I try to handle it with so much care

[Sea Wind]

why don't you leave it connected resting on the gunwale? can you adjust the front bow of the bimini so it goes under the boom?

[Tomfoolery]

Can you add, or have a canvas shop add, two zipper halves somewhere aft of the forward hoop, running port/starboard, so you can zip it shorter, with the extra canvas just lumped up on top? That would bring the forward hoop further back, but allow the bimini to stay. Unzip and resecure the front hoop to restore full coverage.

[paul I]

Firstly the current Bimini is a struggle and a pain to bring up (from below deck) and put up. And once it's up it higher that the boom which make it impossible to have the Main sail and the Bimini up at the same time. If I make it lower some would complain about headroom ...Has anyone else solved this issue?

Secondly the skippers seat/hatch. I hate the wobbly hinge on one side thing. I was thinking I could get rid of the hinge and have two spring loaded bolt latches either side (inside/underneath the back rest). That way I could lift the hatch aft (like a piano keyboard cover) and remove the hole thing (if need be) to get it out of the way.
Has anyone done any special hatch/seat modifications that fix the wobbly hinge thing?Neo

I have a but my bimini is left attached all the time (not necessarily open though). The boom just clears it when sailing. Yes, the headroom is limited. You can't stand, but there is sufficient seated headroom and enough crouching headroom to make your way from the helm to the companionway. I have read about some Mac owners who have recut the main and raised the boom to get more clearance. Search for the threads.

I guess I just put up with the wobbly hinge. In my case, the seat brushes the rear hoop of the bimini when its opened.

[RobertB]

I have repaired the helm seat at the hinge - but now I am developing another crack - on the side opposite the hinge. Seems the contour of the seat does not match the contour of the hull at the starboard top side and it is breaking because of that.

[Highlander]

My Bimini is self supporting by Dowsar , it just stops short of my boom so does not interfere with sailing , it also has over 6ft standing room
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... ae95rp.jpg

Here,s beene,s Bimini his is adj, forward or aft so he can use it while sailing also , his also has two adj. heights for sitting or standing
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... ijvv2a.jpg

here,s Beene,s folded up
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... 0_4550.jpg

U should be able to shorten ur bimini for sailing not a hard mod
Here,s my bimini from my it was also self supporting either when open or folded up , u can make these mods urself
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... 0_4291.jpg

Hope this gives u some ideals

J

[Neo]

Thanks Highlander,

That's given me some food for thought

All the best.
Neo

[Tony E]

I was looking into installing a Bimini top but then I just went with an 5 foot umbrella. Works great and is very simple to store and install plus the cost was perfect. I think i got it off of Amazon for like $45.00