Bimini for 30' cutter?

[David S.]

As the new owner of a 30C, I was hoping to discover a way to protect the helmsman (mostly myself) from the sun. Has anyone out there devised a way to install a small bimini on a CD30?

Thanks.

David



davidscott@mediaone.net

[Save Cape Dories...]

are you a sailor or what?

[Bill Collins]

I chartered a CD 30 Cutter in the Virgin Islands (Glissade) in the mid-eighties. She was equipped with a canopy that had hardware attached to the combing boards and swung forward under the boom. It was then secured to the cabin top with nylon straps and ss clips. On my current CD 30MKII I have a cover that zips to the aft of the dodger and runs under the boon aft of the back stay. A ss rod is then clipped via line to the outboatd ends of the stern pulpit. The former was a better sun cover as you sould sail with it.



william.collins@eng.ped.gmeds.com

[Chris Reinke CD330]

Bill - Unlike the bone head response you already received - I would like to offer a few constructive suggestions and ideas for your consideration. I have a CD330 which has made the trip up and down the US East Coast a few times. The boat has a bimini top and aluminum supports which provides shade for the helm and rear section of the cockpit. I have found the cover to be more trouble while sailing than it is worth. I like to keep an eye on my trim and I feel a bit uncomfortable without the ability to just glance up. I kept poking my head around the cover to the point where my wife began to make fun of me. The cover would have a lot more use if I can get over my phobia. Our cover get most of its use while we are in a port for a few days. I usually set the cover and enjoy a good book or a peaceful lunch.

Some folks actually consider a bimini as part of their required equipment for any island cruises and I fully respect their feelings. My personal preference is a large brim hat and sunscreen.

As the new owner of a 30C, I was hoping to discover a way to protect the helmsman (mostly myself) from the sun. Has anyone out there devised a way to install a small bimini on a CD30?

Thanks.

David

[Chris Cram]

On my 30C the bimini is three tubular supports coming together to connect in one spot on the deck on either side of the cockpit (outboard of the coamings). One support is aft of the backstay, the other two forward. The supporting straps hook to two bronze eyes on the transom and (forward) to those convenient eyes on the stanchion bases. The only difficulty with mine is stowing. When I want to fold it and put the cover on it; I must remove it from the aft tube support--fold the extra around the other two---put on the cover--then collect what is now two pieces for and aft of the back stay---to the back stay.

As far as sailing with the bimini up, yeah sure its in the way if your short tacking but, anything is better than the painful sunburn.

Good Luck Chris



cccobx@prodigy.net

[Bill Goldsmith]

Chris

FYI- You probably have seen these, but on a Caribbean charter I took this year with the family the Bimini had a ~12 inch square zip-out three-sided flap that rolled up into ties, perfectly positioned for the helmsman to see the sails. Definitely solved the problem of viewing sail trim as well as keeping the kids from getting burned!! Probably not a very expensive upgrade to your Bimini that would give you one more option.

Bill Goldsmith

Bill - Unlike the bone head response you already received - I would like to offer a few constructive suggestions and ideas for your consideration. I have a CD330 which has made the trip up and down the US East Coast a few times. The boat has a bimini top and aluminum supports which provides shade for the helm and rear section of the cockpit. I have found the cover to be more trouble while sailing than it is worth. I like to keep an eye on my trim and I feel a bit uncomfortable without the ability to just glance up. I kept poking my head around the cover to the point where my wife began to make fun of me. The cover would have a lot more use if I can get over my phobia. Our cover get most of its use while we are in a port for a few days. I usually set the cover and enjoy a good book or a peaceful lunch.

Some folks actually consider a bimini as part of their required equipment for any island cruises and I fully respect their feelings. My personal preference is a large brim hat and sunscreen.

As the new owner of a 30C, I was hoping to discover a way to protect the helmsman (mostly myself) from the sun. Has anyone out there devised a way to install a small bimini on a CD30?

Thanks.

David

goldy@bestweb.net

[Mike Q.]

I am making a fair weather bimini from two fiberglass tent poles arced
accross the lifelines. Another rod is sewn in to the top fore and aft
to hold the sunbrella tight. The whole rig is about 40 inches long
and 60 inches wide. the tent poles collapse to about 18 inches long and the whole rig rolls up about the size of a large flashlight.I will
use it in sunny weather and will avoid meeting our wisenheimer friend
in the cancer ward.
Mike



mikieq@erols.com

[David S.]

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful comments. This is the best bulletin board I've been involved with. I must have bought the right boat!

David

[Brian Shaw]

Anticipating a lot of sun exposure in the Bahamas a couple of years ago, I decided that I, too, needed a bimini for my 30' Cape Dory cutter. It's mounted on the forward sloping sections of each side of the stern rail and there's a zippered slot to accommodate the backstay. The forward edge ends just aft of the boom. The height, of course, is limited by the boom. Being 6'2", I cannot stand up totally under the bimini, but it does provide shade and rain protection. It has two bows, one forward and one aft of the backstay, and it folds up against the backstay when not in use. A line between the back bow and the stern rail applies tension and is used to tie up the bimini when not in use. An adjustable strap on either side of the forward bow clips down to the combings. It has worked well for me. Brian

(I'm a friend typing this, and I can attest to how professional it looks and effective it is, and it does not detract from the classic looks of the Cape Dory. --Liz)



Bksstwater@cs.com