After a few false starts, I've finally made the decision to invest in a full dodger, bimini and connetor for Windrider. The cost of which will exceed what I paid for my first boat.
Since it is a fair investment I want it right and to meet my particular needs.
Here's some of the issues:
1. The old bimini is to low for me to stand upright. (I'm 6'.1")
2. The old bimini is impossible to bring down and secure, (If that's the correct term.) without raising the mizzen boom and sliding the gooseneck up the track.
One of the canvas people I spoke to (Not the one who decided after 2 months of correspondance and promises that he was not able to "fit"me in.) suggested I have the mizzen sail shortened and raise the mizzen boom six or so inches to solve both issues.
The mizzen itself is on it's last legs and this may be the time for a new one anyway. I'd have the new one made to the proposed size.
Aside from the fact the two booms will no longer line up, does anyone see any other reasons not to do this?
Henri Hali
SV Windrider
Henri,
We did it 2 yr. ago. Raised boom a couple of inches and cut a little off the mizzen. I am 6'0"...it worked well. I gained a lot of space by eliminating the rigging to run the mizzen sheet to the mast. I replaced the wire "Y" at the stern with a boom vang with jam cleat and a single pad eye amidships on deck. Have sailed with this for 2 years and it works great and eliminates the overhead space taken up by the blocks under the mizzen boom. Never any trouble using the jam cleat for the mizzen sheet and it can be handled by the helmsman without going forward. I also added a snap shackle at the lower end above the pad eye on deck which allows the use of the mizzen boom and vang/sheet as a tackle to raise the dinghy outboard to the stern rail bracket ... and also I can unsnap the sheet and move the boom to the side when anchored and use the centered stern swim ladder without the sheet in the way.
Doug Kerr
Abbotsford II
P365 #347, Annapolis
Doug....interesting...can we see some photos of your set-up?
Hi Doug, thanks for the repy.
I made similar modifications to the mizzen sheet last year and am very pleased with the arrangement.
The configuration I used is the same set up as the main sheet. My logic was two fold, first if it works for the main , it's going to work for the mizzen. Second, I did not want to drill more holes in the boat. (In retrospect, I dont know why Bill Shaw didn't do it that way in the first place.)
This past summer I moved the sheet to the end of the boom and led it outside the stern rail. It cleaned the area nicely. I also removed one of the two bails. I've yet to figure out how to seal the holes in the boom.
I like your snap shackle idea. Wish I'd thought of that. The obstacle course I had to traverse made me remove the stern ladder and buy a custom ladder mounted on the side.
That however created two more issues.
I did not know how to deal with the mounting brackets left on the stern, and second, how do I get on board once I attach the dingy to the davits.
My solution was to make a small step out of some left over teak and mounted it on the brackets. It's not quite the "One small step....: of Armstrong fame, but gets me on board just fine.
Are you by chance the proud owner who submitted photos of the dodger, bimini and connecter at the previous site a few years ago? The canvas work done by Donna Milliman of Annapolis Custom Yacht. She was very helpfull to me when I started my quest. It's unfortunate I'm in Connecticut and she in Annapolis.
Henri Hali
S/V Windrider
Henri,
I had the same problem when I had to reposition the bails for a new travler. I went to McMasters-Carr, They are on the internet, and bought some rubber gromets to fit into the hole then I screwed a nylon allen screw into the 1/4" hole in the gromet. The hole package cost just over $10 and I can fill many more holes than I have.
Don Woodruff
Henri,
We did have a new dodger, bimini and connector made by Annapolis Custom Yacht Canvas (Dan & Donna) in 2004 and are very happy with it. We saw their pictures of what they did for Marc & Alison LeBlanc's s/v Angel at the 2003 boat show. They have also done another local P365.
I will try to get some pictures up.
When I removed mizzen boom bails I just put the bolt back in by itself.
I am also thinking about boarding ladders, since if we add davits and the dinghy is up we will not be able to use the stern ladder... and we will have to move the outboard sternrail bracket to the side (and be much more careful of pilings at gas docks). So far we are towing or putting the dinghy on the bow with the spinnaker halyard and boom vang as tackle...but davits would be easier.
Aft boarding access is the biggest doewnside I have seen to our Davit/Solar Panel agangement. The kids can still dive under the rail and Lori and I have done it...but it ain't pretty, graceful, or fun! So I'm now in the market for a side entry boarding ladder...another thing to add to add to the list!
Tops-In-Quality makes a beautiful and rugged midship ladder that attaches to the genoa track and folds up neatly where the lifeline gates are.
Tops-In-Quality (//http://www.topsinquality.com/amidlad.htm)
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