Cal-31 Bimini

To all the Cal-31 owners and others who know more than me. (everyone?) I am looking to replace the bimini with a larger unit Right now it is approximately 8'W X 6'L. Is there any way to cover more of the cockpit? I don't know how many other Cals have the main sheet in front of the companion way like the 31 does. Right now my Bimini stops just behind the boom. I can't go under the boom more than 6" because of the main sheet and 0" over the boom because of the topping lift. I would even entertain the idea of expanding the bimini when the sail is down if that would be possible by moving the boom to one side. Yes, my GF does not like that she is in the hot Las Vegas sun because the Bimini only covers the one behind the wheel. Thanks! Kevin O. Cal-31 "Kona" Las Vegas

On my Cal 31 (hull 59) the mainsheet and traveler are in the cockpit which gets in the way but is also pretty convenient for handling sheets during gusts. No chance for a bimini. For winter or inclement weather when at anchor I can put a tarp on the boom that covers the companionway as far back as the topping lift which at the boom end is not quite as far back as the wheel. --- On Fri, 2/20/09, Kevin <fi… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: Kevin <fi… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal-31 Bimini To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 11:15 AM To all the Cal-31 owners and others who know more than me. (everyone?) I am looking to replace the bimini with a larger unit Right now it is approximately 8'W X 6'L. Is there any way to cover more of the cockpit? I don't know how many other Cals have the main sheet in front of the companion way like the 31 does. Right now my Bimini stops just behind the boom. I can't go under the boom more than 6" because of the main sheet and 0" over the boom because of the topping lift. I would even entertain the idea of expanding the bimini when the sail is down if that would be possible by moving the boom to one side. Yes, my GF does not like that she is in the hot Las Vegas sun because the Bimini only covers the one behind the wheel. Thanks! Kevin O. Cal-31 "Kona" Las Vegas

A neighbors Cal 31 has the mainsheet moved to infront of the cabin hatch. He used the stock boom. He then had a complete enclosure for the cockpit built combining bimini, dodger and side currents into one large enclosure... ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Connell To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 12:59 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal-31 Bimini On my Cal 31 (hull 59) the mainsheet and traveler are in the cockpit which gets in the way but is also pretty convenient for handling sheets during gusts. No chance for a bimini. For winter or inclement weather when at anchor I can put a tarp on the boom that covers the companionway as far back as the topping lift which at the boom end is not quite as far back as the wheel. --- On Fri, 2/20/09, Kevin <fi… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: Kevin <fi… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal-31 Bimini To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 11:15 AM To all the Cal-31 owners and others who know more than me. (everyone?) I am looking to replace the bimini with a larger unit Right now it is approximately 8'W X 6'L. Is there any way to cover more of the cockpit? I don't know how many other Cals have the main sheet in front of the companion way like the 31 does. Right now my Bimini stops just behind the boom. I can't go under the boom more than 6" because of the main sheet and 0" over the boom because of the topping lift. I would even entertain the idea of expanding the bimini when the sail is down if that would be possible by moving the boom to one side. Yes, my GF does not like that she is in the hot Las Vegas sun because the Bimini only covers the one behind the wheel. Thanks! Kevin O. Cal-31 "Kona" Las Vegas

My 31 has a bimini that the PO had custom made. It extends from ½” aft of the mainsheet, which is in the cockpit within easy reach for singlehanding, to about a foot aft of the split backstay (due to a slot and zipper). I can’t believe that I put up with previous boats without a bimini, it’s such a blessing to be able to get out of the sun. Kevin, I don’t know how you could have a bimini above the boom due to clearance issues with the mainsail, but a topping lift can be replaced by a rigid boom vang. In fact, I have a Garhauer vang that I have never installed because it would interfere with installing my portable air conditioning unit, which can save your life in a marina during hot Chesapeake Bay summers. If anyone would like to buy the vang, make an offer, or I can check on how much it cost and set a price. Harleigh Ewell From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bob Connell Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:00 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal-31 Bimini On my Cal 31 (hull 59) the mainsheet and traveler are in the cockpit which gets in the way but is also pretty convenient for handling sheets during gusts. No chance for a bimini. For winter or inclement weather when at anchor I can put a tarp on the boom that covers the companionway as far back as the topping lift which at the boom end is not quite as far back as the wheel. --- On Fri, 2/20/09, Kevin <fi… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: Kevin <fi… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal-31 Bimini To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 11:15 AM To all the Cal-31 owners and others who know more than me. (everyone?) I am looking to replace the bimini with a larger unit Right now it is approximately 8'W X 6'L. Is there any way to cover more of the cockpit? I don't know how many other Cals have the main sheet in front of the companion way like the 31 does. Right now my Bimini stops just behind the boom. I can't go under the boom more than 6" because of the main sheet and 0" over the boom because of the topping lift. I would even entertain the idea of expanding the bimini when the sail is down if that would be possible by moving the boom to one side. Yes, my GF does not like that she is in the hot Las Vegas sun because the Bimini only covers the one behind the wheel. Thanks! Kevin O. Cal-31 "Kona" Las Vegas

Greg,I had a very similar enclosure built for Nemesis, although the traveler is at the back of the bridgedeck. There is the dodger itself, with it's zip in windshield and side curtains. To the back of this zips the sun/rain shade, with it's side curtains and a cutout sleeved area for the mainsheet. Finally there is a wrap around back panel that zips to it. This panel has a large U-shaped zipper which allows he back to be rolled up for ventilation. I can go from fully enclosed to completely open in about 20 minutes, 10 or less if I leave the dodger and aft support frames in place. Currently the boat is in the water at TYC with the dodger, it's side curtains and rain shade in place. This afternoon I'll roll the rain shade up on its support and enjoy a midwinter sail. The enclosure was expensive, but after 11 years in place, I think it was some of the best money I have put into the boat. Fred Haas 3-30 Nemesis acoma On Feb 21, 2009, at 5:28 PM, Greg Branch wrote: > A neighbors Cal 31 has the mainsheet moved to infront of the cabin > hatch. He used the stock boom. He then had a complete enclosure for > the cockpit built combining bimini, dodger and side currents into one > large enclosure... >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Bob Connell >> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >> Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 12:59 PM >> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal-31 Bimini >> >> >> On my Cal 31 (hull 59) the mainsheet and traveler are in the cockpit >> which gets in the way but is also pretty convenient for handling >> sheets during gusts. No chance for a bimini. For winter or >> inclement weather when at anchor I can put a tarp on the boom that >> covers the companionway as far back as the topping lift which at the >> boom end is not quite as far back as the wheel. >>

With the aft mainsheet your options are really limited. The best setup for a bimini and/or dodger is to have the mainsheet go to a traveler beam forward of the companion hatch, but that conversion would be a major hassle and big $$$$$$. When cruising we love our bimini, so I can understand your GF's preferences. Jack Cal 31 Melantho

Greg, Short of moving the traveler, you have an option. Nemesis' bimini zips to the back od the dodger with a sleeved slot for the mainsheet. This works for mooring and motoring. If I wish to sail with the bimini in place, I have a series of "stretchers" which allow the bimini to be folded back about a foot while being held in place by the nylon straps from the dodger. These clip onto the bottom side of the bimini and hold the canvas in place. OF course you have to disconnect and reconnect the straps when tacking, but in a cruising situation the extra time required in usually not much of an issue. Let me know if you want pictures. Fred Haas 3-30 Nemesis Tacoma On Feb 22, 2009, at 11:45 AM, egiajack wrote: > With the aft mainsheet your options are really limited. The best setup > for a bimini and/or dodger is to have the mainsheet go to a traveler > beam forward of the companion hatch, but that conversion would be a > major hassle and big $$$$$$. When cruising we love our bimini, so I > can understand your GF's preferences. > > Jack > Cal 31 > Melantho > >