Re: More on Bimini

GSTahoe@aol.com
Sat, 24 Apr 1999 11:18:03 EDT


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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In a message dated 4/23/99 6:25:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time, cachung@wt.net
writes:

<< Geoff:

A couple of other questions, if you have a moment.

Are you using the original main sheeting or end boom sheeting?

How long is the bimini from front to back?

Also, not that this would help much since you have already drilled the
holes, but I figured out a way to mount the bimini without holes which also
allows it to slide back and forth on the rails. Do you think that anybody
on the list might be interested in this? >>

Christopher,

I have retained the original main sheet cleat that's right in front of the
cabin door. Although it would be nice to have that as a seat, I feel that the
original design prevents the need of a boom vang and keeps the main sheet in
a place where it is easy to handle.

My boat is in a garage a couple of blocks from my house, so I cannot measure
the size of the bimini this morning. It is exactly the size from where the
main sheet runs through a block on the boom back to the second block where
the main sheet goes down to the traveler on the transom. I would guess that
is about 3' 6". I'm just going by the table I'm presently sitting at. I
believe the bimini is just about the same size as the table.

Mounting the bimini without drilling holes would certainly make installation
a little easier, but drilling four holes is not that big a deal. You do have
to do it with an electric drill. I tried with a hand drill and couldn't drill
the stainless steel with it. That gave me an excuse to get a battery
operated drill. Now I can enjoy making holes everywhere! :-)

As far as making the bimini adjustable fore and aft, I don't really think
that would be necessary. I covers the cockpit area well and still allows
sailing. The only time the shade of the bimini is not quite sufficient would
be in the late afternoon when the sun is low and the sun shines under the
protective cover of the bimini. I suppose you could just hang a towel on
that side if the late afternoon sun where really that strong. When the
bimini is down and zipped up in it's cover, it rests on the tiller right on
the transom. It does not put enough pressure on the tiller to even be
noticeable.

I just thought of another problem with making the mounts adjustable fore and
aft: There are four nylon web cords, one in each corner, that hold the bimini
up and stretched tight. You would have to have multiple attachment points
for those cords. That would not be too attractive. I also forgot those cords
when discussing the installation. You have to attach those connection loops.
They don't hold much. They are very small, about 3/4", and they attach to
the top of the rail with wood screws. I think I drilled little pilot holes
before screwing the screws down. I also put a bunch of marine sealant on
each one before screwing it down, just to be cautious.

There used to be a whole set of pictures on the web page that showed all
kinds of cool canvas work done on Potters. I just went to the page and
cannot find those pictures. I think they would have helped you immensely.
That is why I am sending this letter to the entire list in hopes that someone
can tell you where you can find those pictures.

Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
N. Lake Tahoe, NV