[C320-list] Bimini in way of boom?

[Sivan Cotel via C320-list]

Hi all, I’m a new C320 owner and love these boats!

Previous owner told me to always collapse the bimini before setting sail, because the boom “will shred that bimini when you tack.” That seems crazy to me, having a bimini that you can only use when you’re not under sail?

I’ve looked at it all closely and certainly see that right now, if you had the main sheeted in hard on a close haul, yeah, you’re at the bimini for sure. But it seems like the bimini hardware must be adjustable to change the angle of the front of the canvas so it’s not in the way, right? Has anyone dealt with this issue?

Thanks to everyone,
Sivan Cotel
Fermata #682 (2000)

[Brian McLamb via C320-list]

You should have Topping Lift that will allow you to raise the boom. Often a
very minor adjustment to the Topping Lift line solves this problem. You
also may want to see where the Bimini is touching the boom and have a local
canvas shop add a vinyl skid strip there. Serenity # 1075

Brian McLamb

[David Nolte via C320-list]

Welcome to the group!

Yes, definitely use your topping lift to bring the boom up above the bimini. Don’t want any conflict there. Also if possible ensure that the boom is higher than the tallest person on the boat.

David Nolte
Beach House 0004 (1993)

David Nolte

[Dan Petticord via C320-list]

We have a leather skid on the back of our bimini. Although I also agree
that the topping lift is a huge help. To be honest, if you set the topping
lift correctly, you would have to have the main sheeted down very hard to
scrape the bimini at all.

Dan Petticord
Pearl #132

--
Dan Petticord

[Dean Vermeire via C320-list]

The Bimini should not be so high as to interfere with the boom while under sail. The topping lift is great for holding the boom up when not under sail, but your sail will not shape well if the topping lift is holding the boom up higher than the sail would. Reinforcement on the Bimini is good, but look at lowering the Bimini.

Dean Vermeire
Encore

[Hans Dose via C320-list]

I’m having a sailmaker add a cringle about ten inches up the leach from the clew (with some additional reinforcement patches sewn in). My Bimini is higher than yours and I can’t flatten the main going upwind. The problem with using the topping lift is it can open up the leach too much. I have a a long strap of webbing with Velcro sewn to both sides to wrap a few times through the cringle and beneath the boom. We do that on a J/120 I race on, and it’s great because it won’t loosen but will slide along the boom if you adjust your outhaul.

Hans Dose
Hull 569
“King’s X”
Alamitos Bay, Long Beach, California

> On Aug 11, 2025, at 11:13 AM, Dean Vermeire via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> The Bimini should not be so high as to interfere with the boom while under sail. The topping lift is great for holding the boom up when not under sail, but your sail will not shape well if the topping lift is holding the boom up higher than the sail would. Reinforcement on the Bimini is good, but look at lowering the Bimini.

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

I struggled with the same situation.  I did slightly adjust my bimini frame and occasionally might snug up my topping lift slightly to keep from scratching the bimini. However, you sacrifice optimum trimming capability on the main sail not being able to sheet in tight. 
If you are just cruising and not concerned about maximizing speed, then do what you need to in order to reach a balance of sail "health" versus comfort using the bimini (I hate baking in the sun).
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Mon, Aug 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM, David Nolte via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Welcome to the group!

[Ken Spiro via C320-list]

I had a similar problem and didn’t always like the change of shape of the main if I used too much topping lift. My solution: Depending how your Bimini is constructed, you can also tilt your Bimini forward by loosening the 2 aft straps and tightening the two forward straps. That tilted and lowered the front portion of my Bimini enough where it’s virtually never a problem now. Good luck.
Ken
2006 MoonDancer (1089)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 11, 2025, at 10:30 PM, Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> I struggled with the same situation. I did slightly adjust my bimini frame and occasionally might snug up my topping lift slightly to keep from scratching the bimini. However, you sacrifice optimum trimming capability on the main sail not being able to sheet in tight.

[Beau Black via C320-list]

Hello Sivan,
I had a similar issue; just had a new Bimini made for my boat. We race in the local club races but it’s also super hot during the summer races (North Texas) so I ended up just adjusting the frame to tilt the whole Bimini down. Can run a pretty tight vang and it’s not scraping unless my mainsheet trimmer is extra zealous. I have a rigid vang and I can adjust it so that even if the topping lift is loose the boom won’t fall on the Bimini. The only downside is that I will sometimes hit my head in the Bimini-I’m 6-0. Let me know if you would like some pictures I can send them.
Beau Black
New C320 owner #344.
Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 11, 2025, at 9:27 PM, Brian McLamb via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> You should have Topping Lift that will allow you to raise the boom. Often a

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