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...................................................................--- Bimini Page 2 ---
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The last major pieces to be made or side panels that are attached to the bimini permanently, but that attach to the dodger with common sense fasteners.
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Here one panel is about done and being used as a pattern to make the other side.
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The side panel pinned in place. Above the dodger has the bug netting in place that unzips and is removable. This was all shown back on the dodger build pages.
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A side view and here you can see that all of these panels have yet to be sewn together.
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The inside of the dodger was reinforced in the area where the common sense fasteners would go to be used with the side flaps on the bimini. I like to have a least two thicknesses of fabric any place the common sense fasteners are used.
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Above is the panels, minus the back one, that all have zippers to allow the bimini to go on or off very quickly. All of the cutouts are for straps that you will soon see.
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Above is the zippered panel that will go under the bimini where the front bow is located and will be partially under the lighter blue material.
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I reinforced the area where the front bow zipper pocket attaches to the lighter blue material with Top Gun, arrow.
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Above are the pockets for the two middle bows, so we are looking at the bottom of the bimini.
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The front flap on the bimini attaches along the top of the dodger with common sense fasteners and they will also be used down the sides later.
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Here the zippers are being installed on the rear pockets that go on the back bow. The zipper will attach to the pieces show by the arrows.
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Here the bottom one is completed.
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Above you will see straps with buckles that go between the bows and forward to the dodger and are the reason for all of the pockets in the zippered areas. These straps serve two functions. One is that we can adjust the bows to some degree with them and they can take a lot of the stress off of the bimini itself if we want to.
The second is the next mod will be a full cockpit bug enclosure and the enclosure hangs from these straps inside of the bimini. That mod is done at the time I'm writing this, just have to post it. I've never seen this done before and it will be interesting to see how it works out.
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The above picture give you some idea of the size of the bimini with its connecting flap in the front. The table under where the arrows are is 8 feet long.
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Here the common sense fasteners have been installed on the side flaps. So far I love them. They are so fast to use vs. a zipper.
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A couple tucks were sewn into the sides where the arrows are to help the bimini fit a little better. You can also see that it is all sewn together at this point. Double rows of stitches along all seams.
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Another side shot.
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A view from underneath showing the straps. We made sleeves after this picture that slide on the straps and hold the loose ends up out of the way. When we are finished sailing we will probably take the bimini off and fold it up. The straps will stay with the poles and the frame will be taken down and stored in the boat or in a storage bay we rent.
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A view of the aft end. You can see the slot for the backstay. I cut the back bow and it will stay cut so that it is easier to get past the backstay when the frame is removed or installed. The cut area will be sleeved with a smaller aluminum plug that will be held in place with a screw on each side of the cut.
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A view looking down the top.
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Another of the side. This was a big project that took about a month working 2-5 hours a day.
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The construction could of been simplified making the construction time shorter, but we are happy with the results.
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Here the forward flap has been rolled back and in use will be held back there under the solar panels that will cover most of the bimini, six 80 watt panels.
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The straps between the bimini and dodger can either stay in place or unsnapped.