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Ron,

This dimension will vary based on the cut of your main, how much mainsail luff tension you apply and how much sheet tension you'll use. It's really a custom measurement on each boat.

What's your deadline? My sails and bimini are off, but if we get a warm day, I might get a chance next weekend or the following week to slip the bimini on and take some measurements.

Larry

Melelana
Catalina 42 #175
1990 3cbn, wk

Solomons, MD

Ron,

Nice afternoon and I got away from work on time for a change and went by the boat. I measure 82 inches from the cockpit sole to the bottom of the boom when the boom is in the position I marked when I had my bimini made. I got that position sailing upwind in about 10 knots of breeze with moderate luff tension, about 1/2 cunningham and lots of sheet tension. For me, that's pretty much a worst case and it's been great for 2 1/2 seasons.

I strongly caution that this measurement is very boat specific. Your mileage will vary.....

If your canvas maker can make the main legs of your bimini slightly long, you can use a tubing cutter to lower it slightly. Depending on the mounting angle, cutting the legs will move the bimini forward or aft slightly (probably forward).

I suggest having your bimini as wide as you can make it (I think mine is 102 inches wide) and go to the trouble of having the aft bow aft of the backstay even though that requires a split in the bimini and a zipper. The extra sun protection at the wheel that the extra 12-14 inches gives you is worth it.

Good luck

Larry