Good day to all.. I've been searching this site for some information regarding the bimini. Basically, I wondering if it is better to collapse it up on the poles, or leave it stretched out. By folding, I mean keeping the bimini on the frame, then collapsing the bimini against the backstays, then putting the cover on the bimini.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
Hi Robert,
I live in an area of the world where the UV is quite strong so I keep mine folded up inside a cover.
It only takes a few minutes and I am sure it prolongs the life of the material.
cheers
Kerry
Kerry Boden
Once the temps warm up we keep ours out to keep the direct rays off the body..... helps them last longer and, unlike the bimini, they aren't replaceable.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I just love mine. I use it all the time. I stow it when not at the boat and wind the wind is above 25. It takes just a minute to deploy. When mine is covered and stowed its lives above the wheel. For someone under 5 foot 10 inches this works fine. Above that when stowed, it hits you in the forehead.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Robert,
One thing to consider is that when a bimini is furled against the backstay(s), there is inevitably chafe between the backstay and the bimini bows. With normal sailing, I've worn small holes in my bimini. One temporary fix is to put a piece of pipe insulation around the backstay(s) to help with the chafe.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
All great info, and thanks Tom for that extra advice on the backstays. Sounds like a great idea. Sorry if I wasn't descriptive enough. I was referring to stowing/ folding it up when not on the boat. I'm fair skinned, so I would always keep it deployed when on the boat to keep the Rays off the skin.
I know sunbrella is susceptible to chafe. Does anyone have a chaffe problem when it is stowed/folded?
over the years, I've always kept it deployed, except during the winter, when it is removed. I need to get at least 1 more season out of it before replacing it. At which time I'll probably make a full enclosure. The Bimini is getting pretty thin, and I have patched it many times this off season. I recently just finished patching the holes and wear spots, to the point it looks like Jack Sparrow's sails.
I guess the best question is, can I prolong the life of the Bimini by stowing it when not in Use, or does it wear it down more, especially along the stitching, by stowing and deploying it over the course of the sailing season?
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA