Bimini Support Location on a TC255

Captains Cat

OK, you guys with TCs, did you put your bimini support pole inside or outside of the 1 1/4" cockpit side rails?

I bought an 8' long bimini from West Marine and after I assemble it (hard to do upside down and backward! Shocked

but I'll get there) I need to mount the one side support on each side. The directions say half way back from the front (about 4').

I'm thinking it should go outside but would like to know what folks have done and why.

Also, do you find that 1 1/4" rail easy to get stuff for? Clamps, fixtures, etc. Seems like most of the catalogs have 3/4 or 7/8 or at most 1" stuff. There are a couple of rod holders for the larger ones but not much else.

Doryman

drjohn71a · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject:

Mine fit on the inside of the aft railing. Even West Marine has 1 1/4 inch fittings if you look hard. I love the large rails - it's worth the extra trouble. Even Magma sells 1 1/4 inch clamps, etc., for their grills.

I put a couple of those black, net/hook, holders right at the support point for the spreading bimini hoops so I can fold up the aft half and bunjie cord that to a boathook or pole there, leaving the forward half of the bimini up to keep rain out of an open cockpit door.

John

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Warren and John! That's sort of my plan on location for now. Also thanks for the tips on the fittings.

Warren, where is your new enclosure coming from?

Charlie

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

Just as a side comment:

It's too bad the larger 1-1/4 rails aren't used more often on all these boats!

It's certainly more expensive to use larger tube stock and bend and weld it, but the extra rigidity and firm- not too small- fit to the hands is a real plus!

Imagine your C-Dory with 1-1/4 or 1-1/2" handrails!

It's for that rerason that I prefer the traditional teak handrails on these boats!

Joe. Teeth

Doryman · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject:

drjohn71a · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:07 am Post subject:

Capt s Cat,

Well, I spent the weekend on the TomCat and I hope I'm not too late in posting this, but...

the side support arms are mounted as close as possible to inside "on" the top surface of the gunnels. I think that is to ensure minimal rubbing of the tubes on the windows. The AFT support arms, however, are mounted on the side or FRONT surface of the transom, not on the top of the transom. They are set down and inside an inch or so. I am thinking that is to allow room to remove and insert the quicklock pin on those back supports.

My camperback was from King Canvas.

John

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:40 am Post subject:

Thanks John and Warren! John, my Bimini only has two mounting locations for the alum tubes and I put it about midway back on the gunnel inside the 1/1/4" cockpit railing. The straps go to eyes, on the cabin sides and on the stern. I don't have the camper version. Did the side mounts, they work fine, now I've gotta locate the places for the eyes.

The bimini is 8X8 and covers the entire cockpit, it's great! I'll get a sunshade 8x5 and put snaps on it so it could go on either side or the back, depending on where we need it.

We love the boat!

Charlie

billtwymank

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We just completed a permanent Bimini on Lady KC and have posted pictures from the initial computer generated drawings to the final zipper flap operation.

It added less than 65 lbs to the stern of the TomCat,
but the sun protection from the hot Carolina sun should be worth it.

We are extremely happy with the total results.
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Dreamer · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:00 pm Post subject:

Bill,

Very well thought out and executed! Thumbs Up

Perfect for your cruising area.

Aurelia · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:10 pm Post subject:

Wow that looks good and is a smart design. I like the mounting position on the cabin roof. I also like the single large supports at the rear. I wish I had not just had one built! I wonder how side would look with that top?

billtwymank · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 12:43 pm Post subject: Carolina Sun Shile - Bimini

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in our Carolina area, and with a Cruiseair heatpump system, we are not looking for an enclosure, only sun shade.

We will make a fly that we can tie up around the bimini for sun block during sundowners......

We will be using a sand colored material to go with the linen colored flock on the inside of the bimini sunbrella material.

It is Phifertex Plus vinyl/polester mesh
that is rated at 90 percent sun block.

You can check it out at Sailrite web site....

www.sailrite.com

Some sewing........rings and ties should do the job.....

We had used a similar arrangement on our sailboat that worked very effectively while sitting on the hook at the roadstead in Bonnaire.............oh for the memories....lol
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