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Sheet Arch combined with Bimini and Traveller

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  • 13 Aug 2016 16:59
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    Reply # 4188438 on 4151385
    Anonymous member

    I also like tiller steering, and even a boat Leeway's size could probably be steered with a tiller if the cockpit and rudder-post arrangements were different.  As it is, we are going to the other end of the spectrum and using the hydraulic steering the boat came with.  I wasn't sure I could live with the lack of feel in the helm, but there is still some feel and the convenience of being able to let go of the wheel at any point to adjust sail is very convenient, not to mention it makes backing (even with the full keel) a doddle.  We are adding a rudder position indicator as part of the refit to overcome the greatest problem with hydraulic steering (the wheel has no fixed relation to rudder position).  I suppose the hydraulic steering is one of the reasons I didn't consider a full bimini too much of an obstacle.  With the hydraulic steering, you just step away from the wheel when you want to do something else.  Although, it would be nice to see the sail set as you are trimming, rather than needing to trim, then poke your head around for a look, then adjust further. 
  • 11 Aug 2016 22:43
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    Reply # 4185327 on 4183374
    Anonymous member
    David Tyler wrote:

    That's right, you won't see the foresail fully without moving out to the side deck, but still, a clear window will be useful to see the mainsail. I would add a sunscreen of some kind below it, though.


    One of the advantages of steering with a tiller is that you are that much further from the centreline.  On Badger you could see enough of the foresail, from the helm, to be sure it was setting OK.
  • 11 Aug 2016 05:14
    Quote
    Reply # 4183374 on 4151385
    Anonymous member

    That's right, you won't see the foresail fully without moving out to the side deck, but still, a clear window will be useful to see the mainsail. I would add a sunscreen of some kind below it, though.
  • 10 Aug 2016 19:21
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    Reply # 4182744 on 4181254
    Anonymous member
    Annie Hill wrote:Maybe you could fit a window overhead?
    I'd considered a plexiglass window overhead to keep the whole structure rigid.  One of the things I liked about the smaller all-aluminum bimini the boat came with is that there is no flapping of fabric in the wind.  I find bits of cloth flapping wildly in the wind only add to my stress levels when the wind comes up.  I'll have to spend some time staring upward from the steering pedestal and see what looks best.  I wonder though, given that Leeway is a schooner, I'll probably have to move around to check the foresail trim anyway?  I only spent one summer sailing Leeway as a staysail schooner, but with that sail arrangement I couldn't see what the foresail was doing from the helm regardless of a bimini.
  • 09 Aug 2016 22:39
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    Reply # 4181254 on 4180915
    Anonymous member
    Darren Bos wrote:

    The roll-up bimini is a good idea. I had also worried about visibility and sail trim.  The current bimini drawing doesn't go rail to rail, so you have to take a couple steps to the side to look around the bimini to trim the sails when close-hauled.  While not ideal, this needs to be balanced against the need for space to mount solar panels and keeping the structure rigid enough to act as a mainsheet traveller as well.  Perhaps a hybrid with a fixed aft portion and a fabric fore section is worth considering.

    When I'm sailing a relatively light, lively boat, I sail to windward by the feel of the tiller, the angle of heel, etc, but with a big vessel like yours, I would want to be able to see the luff of the sail all the time, close-hauled (yes, even with junk rig,) to keep her going well.  This would be my main concern.  Maybe you could fit a window overhead?
  • 09 Aug 2016 19:22
    Quote
    Reply # 4180915 on 4151385
    Anonymous member

    Thanks Annie, 

    The roll-up bimini is a good idea.  I had also worried about visibility and sail trim.  The current bimini drawing doesn't go rail to rail, so you have to take a couple steps to the side to look around the bimini to trim the sails when close-hauled.  While not ideal, this needs to be balanced against the need for space to mount solar panels and keeping the structure rigid enough to act as a mainsheet traveller as well.  Perhaps a hybrid with a fixed aft portion and a fabric fore section is worth considering.

    Last modified: 09 Aug 2016 19:23 | Anonymous member
  • 08 Aug 2016 21:09
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    Reply # 4178782 on 4151385
    Anonymous member

    A bimini may be a nice thing in the Tropics, but you do realise, don't you, that it makes it exceedingly difficult to see what the sails are doing? Have a look at the clever idea on Lakatao. The canopy rolls up easily with little windage ; when it's spread out it gives better protection from the sun - and it's much more attractive (at least to my eyes) than most biminis. 
  • 08 Aug 2016 15:05
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    Reply # 4178268 on 4151385
    Anonymous member

    I'm not sure Scott, but I've seen enough examples of similar installations to give it a try.  Even close-hauled, the wind isn't coming from straight ahead, so the amount of bimini in the way of the vane is much smaller than it would look from the profile view.

    Last modified: 08 Aug 2016 15:05 | Anonymous member
  • 02 Aug 2016 13:52
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    Reply # 4169053 on 4151385
    Deleted user

    Hey Darren,

    Any concern that the aftward extended bimini will foul the air over the wind vane? 
  • 24 Jul 2016 05:09
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    Reply # 4152788 on 4151385
    Anonymous member

    Thanks David, that makes sense.  I'll just have to figure out where to run them so they don't interfere with the wind vane.
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