| A SHADY BUSINESS
by
Andy Pit
I wonder how many times you have been sailing, maybe forgot the sun block or the all important wide brimmed hat, and ended up looking bright red by evening. It's embarrassing going out in the evening like a well done Lobster but perhaps even worse, sun burn can really make you feel awful for a day or so. For many of us with a sailing back ground in temperate climates where grey skies and dull weather are the norm any sunshine sailing seems perfect. Sailing in the tropics, in an open cockpit or fly-bridge in hot sun for hours on end is just not fun and some kind of shade is an absolute must. Bimini’s are nothing new and have been around is some form or other for centuries. They are simply a weatherproof fabric stretched over a stainless steel framework to keep out the sun and the rain from fly-bridges and cockpits.
Design considerations: The Bimini needs to cover as much of the open cockpit seating area as possible while at the same time not interfering with the operation of the yacht. It must not interfere with the steering, visibility, the mainsheet or traveler. It’s obviously important to be able to stand full height under it as well as sit but it must also be clear of the main boom. If the boat is a sailboat with a cockpit which goes right aft to the transom then a zipper around the back stay is a way of covering that area. Some connect the bimini to the dodger or spray-hood, giving full coverage which is an advantage in harbour keeping the complete area both shady and dry. Frames can be made of polished stainless steel or aluminium tubing. The latter is cheaper and lighter in weight but the stainless steel far stronger and stiffer so the material most commonly used. 25mm diameter tube is normal for the average sailboat or motor yacht. If larger spans than say two meters then 30mm is used. A slightly curved top generally looks better than a flat. Hinge pieces are either stainless steel or chromed bronze. Most bimini’s are made with three or four bows depending on the length of the area to be covered. The base unit port and Stb. usually fits on to the cockpit coamings or to the outside. Additional stainless steel hand holds are sometimes added which make movement in and out of the cockpit easier.
The bimini can be made permanently fixed but most are made to fold down and be easily removed if required. Either way they have to be strong as they tend to be looked at like a roof and get leaned on, fell on, and generally used as hand holds. On high speed motors boats and runabout speed through the water will also add stresses to the framework. ‘Westland’, one main US manufacturer of bimini’s and boat tops, recommend speeds no higher than thirty knots. As bimini’s are also designed to keep you dry in the rain make zippers and other attachment holes around back stays and fittings as water tight as possible.
Colour shape and the UV factor:
There is a growing awareness about UVR (ultra violet radiation) and its effect on the skin. The quality of the bimini fabric should have UV rating of 15 or above. (15 to 24 is considered good, 25 to 39 very good and 40 to 50 excellent UV protection). According to Sunbrella, the industry standard for bimini’s, dodgers, spray-hoods, sail covers and awnings; say their fabrics are 95% UV resistant. They say ‘Sunbrella fabrics have been tested and proven to provide up to 98% UV protection from the harmful effects of the sun depending on depth of color. Whites and lighter colored fabrics provide less protection than darker fabrics, which have more depth of color. This protective factor is inherent to the product and will not be reduced by usage and/or fabric exposure to the sun.’ Very briefly the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is a measurement of the fabrics protective ability based on how much UVR can get through the fabrics to the skin. For example a light coloured, loosely woven summer cotton fabric might have a UPF of 10 or less and even les if wet. At the opposite end of the scale special sun protective clothing such as Nylon/Lycra TM can give more than UPF 100 if wet or dry. The most common marine exterior fabric is Sunbrella which is available in Thailand and throughout Asia. Other makes with similar qualities are Stamoid from Switzerland and Weblon. It is most common to make bimini’s using darker colored fabrics rather than light. White is difficult to keep clean and blue or green seem to be the most popular. It is a good idea to have them made a few inches down the sides, port and Stb. to increase the shade. It is not common, or makes much sense, in making a window in the top to see the main sail. There also seems to be no advantage in making them insulated on the inside with padding or an extra layer.
So whatever your boat, runabout, sailboat or motor yacht with a fly-bridge, there’s lot to be said for staying out of the sun as much as possible. Bimini’s make life more enjoyable and boating more fun…… but don’t forget the Lobster cream.
Where to get or make them: Some production yacht manufacturers may offer a bimini as an ‘extra item’ so if your boat did not have one when you bought it they might be available from the builder. There are also ‘off the shelf’ units available from various marine traders but they will be for ‘general use’ and may not fit precisely your needs or your boat. In any event all the materials and the expertise are available in Thailand and SE Asia and the cost of labour is not a main factor.
US Suppliers: Westland - www.westland-az.com/cbim2.html. Have a ‘Hurricane Series’ of standard off the shelf bimini’s from $200 to $600, custom models also available. They deal mostly with small runabouts but have a wide range and can custom make for sailboats. The fabrics they use are Sunbrella and Sharkskin.
Other Suppliers: Port Supply, West Marine.
In Thailand:
Sunbrella fabric is available from:
Ocean Trading Ltd. Part.
328-330 Vorachak Road
Bangkok
Thailand
66-2-237-3409
66-2-237-3413 fax
info@oceannewline.com
www.oceannewline.com
Stainless steel frames can be made in Thailand by:
BP Marine, Ban Ampur (Near the Ocean Marina) Tel: 038 237 934. Fax 038 235119
Pramote Stainless steel: Tel: 061760009
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