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I recently installed the bimini I purchased through Blue Water Yachts. I found I had to install it about an inch and a half forward of what the instructions said, in order for it to clear the bottom of the backstay when the bimini is in the folded position. I have noticed other X's with a bimini from a different manufacturer that rests up a little on the aft rails. Mine seems to lie flat. I noticed others have a cover that keeps the bimini in place when folded. I didn't receive one of these. Is this supposed to come included with the BWY bimini, or does it have to be purchased separately? I didn't see it listed in their online catalog. Thanks

My factory bimini has a cover, but I've rarely used it. I remove my bimini always when the boat is stored. So far, my bimini has remained "like new". Since there are only 2 stainless screws holding the entire unit on the boat, it's easily removed for storage. This has been my routine which seems to preserve a costly boat item.
Happy sailing !

I have the stock factory bimini(courtesy of Frank C and a long range transaction). I remove it and store it inside everytime. It is clean and like new. It does have a zip on sunbrella cover, which when down or stowed keeps it together. Mounted on tracks about 18" long. I can slide it back tight against the backstay, or forward for hatch coverage.

Just got the boom tent from the guys who advertise here. Great match for total cockpit coverage.

You guys have a different strategy than most Floridians. To me, the bimini is like a sacrificial zinc. Keeps the cockpit cool and the brutal sun off of some of the components. You get used to replacing the canvas every 5-10 years. Sunbrella actually holds up pretty darn well - probably 10+ years out in the FL sun, its the threads that keep wearing out and require a rework every few years.

Here in SF ("... coldest Winter was a Summer in SF" - Mark Twain) ...

I grew weary of stowing or retrieving the Bimini from the aft berth, hence the long-distance sale to Cap't Steve. After reconsideration, must agree w/ Dimitri that the Sunbrella would have served fine in zinc-mode ... just storing it "always up" in the cockpit.

We've used the BWY bimini for the past 4 seasons. We had it installed by BWY when we bought our 26X new in 2002. You are correct in noting the problem of it rubbing the backstay when it gets folded completely down. After folding it up a few times and allowing it to rub the backstay, the sunbrella fabric began to fray at the rub point. We ended up sewing a patch of matching fabric over the frayed area. Since then I've noticed a couple other biminis with that same patch. The problem can be minimized by pushing out on the backstay when raising or lowering the bimini, to allow it to clear. I've also taken to bungeeing it to the backstay in the folded position. This has the benefit of not being in the way when raising the steering seat or stepping over it. I've seen one boat which installed a short post which supports the bimini in this position. One of the above posts mentions that the zippers provided on the BWY bimini do allow for it to be rolled up and zipped, which makes for a much neater stowage configuration. I wouldn't recommend installing it an inch or two further forward if you ever have any intention of purchasing the full enclosure, since the panel which zips between the bimini and the dodger wouldn't fit, and I suspect the rear window panel would also cause problems.

I have the 'factory' full enclosure (if there is such a thing) and the bimini mounts on a track which lets it slide back and forth about 18 inches.

We leave the bimini on the boat with a cover on it all the time, the rest of the enclosure stays below.

For boarding, it lifts up and secures to the end of the boom with a sailtie to be out of the way. A Sunbrella loop and a carabiner to accomplish is one of my many intended mods.

Chuck,
We had a cover on the bimini on our X. It is extra cost. Give Gail a call and she can get you one. We had the backstay rub holes in ours till we learned to push out the backstay when folding it up. We took the bimini back to BWY (We live in Seattle) and their canvas guy sewed leather patches on it.

Mine was installed by a previous owner. It would never be used enough if I had to install/de-install it every time. I added standard bimini support rods to it so it is always up, but folded back against itself, just foward of the backstay. Deployment is just unzip the cover, pull it forward to un-fold it, and hook two bungee cords to loops on the stanchions. 1 minute tops. The only time it comes off is prior to a hurricane threat. (or maybe "Hurricanes" threat for you hockey fans in Edmonton.)

It is made of Sunbrella and has been sitting out in the NC sun for five years. Still good as new (even the zip-on cover.)

Captain Steve wrote:Just got the boom tent from the guys who advertise here. Great match for total cockpit coverage.

Hey, Steve - I've been thinking of getting one of those. I note that he says he doesn't use Sunbrella for it... can you tell me, how does the fabric look? Does it look up to the job? And is it soft and thick like Sunbrella or is it kind thin and plastic-like?

Thanks!

The material is like sunbrella with a nylon coating. It has some "heft" to it. It is supple and rolls up easily. I thing it will last. It looks like they are on their way to building a complete enclosure system...starting with the bimini.