Window sizes in Bimini and connector

7 posts / 0 new

Last post

Tue, 01/27/2015 - 16:01

mrmac

Offline

Joined: 12/7/14

Posts: 28

Window sizes in Bimini and connector

I understand that Bimini/connector/dodger setups can vary greatly from boat to boat.

Nonetheless, the size of the windows in the Bimini (allowing you to trim your main) and in the connector (allowing you to see what you are about to hit on a rainy day) might be more uniform.

a) Do you have a window in your Bimini and/or connector?
b) If so, how big?
c) What's the setup? Cover? How is it attached?

Thanks,

mrmac

—

Southern Comfort #1881
Tall rig, Wing Keel
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 05:06

GaryB

Offline

Joined: 10/26/08

Posts: 584

Bimini:
One window above helm approx 15 inches square often thought two small round ones above coming port and starboard side would be nice so you can view trim while sitting on coming just aft of helm without leaning out beyond bimini. The current window is covered from the inside with Velcro to uncover, but window always exposed to UV. (see pic)
Connector:
Window is approx two feet by 3 feet. Cover is on inside again attached with Velcro

—

Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine

Attachments

Fri, 01/30/2015 - 04:52

Catboat Willy

Offline

Joined: 12/22/14

Posts: 387

On hull #1041 we have an 18" inch square see through window above the helm. When not in use for viewing the sail shape, it is covered with a same size flap of Sunbrella joined to the bimini at the aft end. Also, when not in use, it is rolled up and held in place by two small canvas straps. Works out fine for me.
One additional thought, if you are constructing this yourself, you might want to reinforce the bimini top by adding an extra layer of Sunbrella underneath the area where the iesnglass will be sewn to the Sunbrela.
Bill in Boca Grande, FL
Pictures on request.

—

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

Fri, 01/30/2015 - 07:12

mrmac

Offline

Joined: 12/7/14

Posts: 28

Southern Comfort is on the hard almost two hours away so I'm trying to figure this out remotely. (Of course I should have figured/measured before taking the canvas off.)

Gary Bain,
Thank you for your response.

Is the window in your Bimini directly over the helm, the aft section? You don't need anything in the forward part?
Is it just too impractical to also cover the window from the top?
Why do you have an inside cover for the connector? My thinking is that the only time the connector would be up would be when underway in bad weather (when you would need to see out) or in the slip (when you would want to protect the plastic).

mrmac

Bill in Boca,

Do you find it difficult to reach the Sunbrella to strap it down?
So the flap is sewed to the Bimini at the aft end of the window (where the straps are) and then held in place when covering the window by ............... (Velcro, snaps,... )?

Thank you for your help - a picture would be great,

mrmac

—

Southern Comfort #1881
Tall rig, Wing Keel
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay

Sat, 01/31/2015 - 05:15

(Reply to #4) #5

Catboat Willy

Offline

Joined: 12/22/14

Posts: 387

Mr. Mac,
I'm racing a regatta this weekend but will get you a pic on Monday.
Bill in Boca

—

Sat, 01/31/2015 - 05:30

(Reply to #5) #6

GaryB

Offline

Joined: 10/26/08

Posts: 584

Dick see if I can answer questions for you,

Is the window in your Bimini directly over the helm, the aft section? You don't need anything in the forward part? {Window is over the helm, when standing aft I can see rig fine, actually standing ahead of helm fine also, as I mentioned sitting on coming would be nice to have small , maybe round, off to side, to see as well.}
Is it just too impractical to also cover the window from the top? { Perhaps a flap can be rigged to protect the window, but my guess it could be expensive and to me it would have to be athwart ship.}
Why do you have an inside cover for the connector? My thinking is that the only time the connector would be up would be when underway in bad weather (when you would need to see out) or in the slip (when you would want to protect the plastic). {The only time I have the connector on is when I am traveling and it is bad weather. Having cover on inside allows me to block out sun when required. Hot days I use connector for shade open dodger window and let breeze funnel through. I reside on a mooring and the only time the connecter would stay on is if we arrived at the mooring in bad weather.}

—

Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 15:24

mrmac

Offline

Joined: 12/7/14

Posts: 28

Thank you all - got it - over the helm! I'm getting there - appreciate the help.

mrmac

—

Southern Comfort #1881
Tall rig, Wing Keel
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay

You are here

Window sizes in Bimini and connector