Deadly Bimini on the CD-28

[oldragbaggers]

I would like to hear opinions about having a bimini on a CD-28.
We were cleaning the boat today, and investigating everything, and first we put the bimini up to see how it works. The shade was nice, undeniable, but you would have to be an acrobat to get around it to go forward on the decks with the straps leading forward and aft. Also you cannot stand up in the cockpit and you cannot access the mainsail from the cockpit. Hmmmmmm.
So then we stowed it back on the deck so we could scrub down and in the process of doing the decks I tripped over it probably 4 times. Maybe I am not the most graceful swan on the pond, but I'm generally not that big of a klutz either so.......
Do many of you sail with them, and if you do how do you get around on your decks and how have you not killed yourself already
Becky

[Parfait's Provider]

I don't have any specific knowledge of the 28. Parfait is a 36 and her bimini is tall enough that I can stand under it at the helm with a hat on, so maybe 6'1". It requires a "bimini reef" in order to keep it from being chafed by the boom. There are windows, so you can see the sail above. We were sailing the other day without the bimini, it is much more convenient.

As for getting around, I have developed the knack of bowing at the waist when entering and exiting the cockpit. It is even more difficult if the dodger is up. It is on two sets of double bows, so one set folds forward and the other aft. We leave the bimini on the aft bows when it is furled.

In the hottest part of the year, I would sail with it and suffer those consequences rather than bake to a crisp. Shade makes a very large difference. In the slip,it is rather nice except for the bowing routine.

HTH.

[Ben schifano]

Hi...Installed a bimini on our 1975 CD28,"DONNYBROOK" about two years ago. For obvious reasons ,the bimini sits just below the boom so when it's deployed we sit. Their are straps that attach forward that block easy access to the bow....so we do not deploy the bimini in heavy winds or more then moderate seas. All that said ,we would have sold the vessel if we could not rig something to make the boat more comfortable on those hot, humid, windless days on Lake Ontario. We absolutely love what it has done for our boat and our comfort. Please email me if you wish to see pics or have more questions... Ben
.

[Rebinva]

it. But, we both burn easily and need the shade.

It only has one bow, which is strapped to the stern rail and zips to the dodger. Because of the only one bow, it is not as difficult to get in and out of the cockpit as some other boats I have been on with Biminis. It looks like the bill on a cap facing backwards. It is barely tall enough for us to stand and we are only 5'6". It still is too high for the main to be set correctly. I would be interested in any pictures or more info that Ken has on the "bimini reef" on Parfait.

I have been thinking about some way to make the leg of the bow adjustable so it can be lowered when sailing and raised at anchor.

[oldragbaggers]

Thank you everyone for your input.
We will think twice before removing it from the boat. But we will probably think 3 times before putting it up under sail.

[oldragbaggers]

As we were sailing on Sunday, I was wondering about a dodger and thinking it might really obstruct view, but I didn't get a sense of that from your post.
So, how do you like the dodger? Maybe your setup would be less obstructing since you don't have those forward lines.
I am fairskinned and my husband has problems with sun spots on his face so we would like to address the problem. We just don't want to trip over these straps all the time and end up in the drink trying.

[Bill Goldsmith]

You might want to consider installing rigid struts to avoid the forward (and aft) straps. Sailrite (http://www.sailrite.com/strut-stainless) makes kits that are collapsible so the Bimini is not permanently in place, but when deployed, there are no straps. This entails one set of tubes from the main bow to the pushpit, and a second set of tubes between the main bow and the secondary bow of the bimini. This holds everything rigid, eliminates the need for straps and makes the bimini sturdier. Would I leave it up in heavy weather? No. But for that matter I would not leave up a regular bimini in heavy weather either. The picture below is from a powerboat application, but you can see how it would work on a sailboat as well.

[img]http://sailrite.com/images/102348-12.jpg[/img]

[oldragbaggers]

That's great. I like it!! I will definitely check my Sailrite catalog as soon as I get home.
That is why I LOVE THIS BOARD!!!!

[Bill Goldsmith]

I just got an email this week from Sailrite which seemed to be introducing this product. It may not be in the printed catalog yet, but it is clearly on the website.