Boom-Tent, bimini, tarpaulins

Dr. Peter · Post by **Dr. Peter** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:47 pm

Hi everyone,

I looking for a bit of help. We just spent nine days at Gippsland Lakes and the weather was not the best. For half the time it was either too windy or too wet. In the past I have just used tarpaulins - its never been an issue. But this trip, once I got to the third day then I had had enough!

You know how the Tardis (Dr. Who) is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Well Pip was the opposite of this. It was just as small on the inside as it looked from the outside and seemed to get smaller as time went on. It was a problem.

What do you do/have to turn the cockpit space into something more useable?

Yara50 · Post by **Yara50** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:19 pm

Yara has a tent which I have never tried which goes from the foredeck all the way to the stern. I guess if you are staying in one place for a while it would be great.

snoopebj · Post by **snoopebj** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:19 pm

Peter
A topic close to my heart but I have expanded an diversified a bit
so as not to hijack this post I opened a new general discussion post. "Suitability of Investigator for extended cruising."
Cneers

atles · Post by **atles** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:39 am

i use a Bimini and over the top i have a canvas tarpaulins with six broom stick in it
the stick run port to starboard it runs most of the deck and tie down both end and in the middle
i store it under the cockpit keeps the heat out and rain when stopping over night or for the day .

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 2:54 pm

I fitted a small 2 bow bimini and it really makes a big difference to crew comfort when sailing or anchored. Mostly shade from direct UV rays far cooler, It also folds down just forward of the poptop (for when rigging up, strong winds over 20-25 knots, trailering or not needed.) If its cool dry - wet weather, the lowered bimini canvas can be used as a wind/rain-shield at the front of the raised poptop, increases dry standing room cabin space for cruising

haven't bothered to set up the 3 pipe boom-top awning when anchored since installing the bimini (as its been dry weather here). This saves allot of time raising and stowing the boom awning, but it could still go up when anchored in wet weather, with the lowered bimini canvas wind shield up too

Dr. Peter · Post by **Dr. Peter** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:55 pm

Hi Andrew,
I had a close look at your set up on your website; it looks good.

http://teria563.blogspot.com.au/

I like the idea of being able to sail with it up and how it folds away. It could be augmented with tarpaulins and you would have plenty of headroom.

I'll think on it some more but it looks like a good way to go.

Thank you,

Yara50 · Post by **Yara50** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:07 pm

IMHO in Australia a bimini is essential. Shade while sailing is a godsend. We are lucky that it is easy to fit one on an Investigator 563. Use the search function (top RHS of page) and search for "Bimini" and you will see the many variations we have made.

no way · Post by **no way** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 1:06 pm

Without getting into the discussion of pro's and con's of bimini's or awnings here's some pics of my set up.
I mostly cruise and have the pop-top up and the cover in place whilst underway. As the cover is one piece over the complete p/t, and clipped down, it can be left fixed if p/t is dropped down(rarely).
The awning is custom made to suit the outline of the deck shape, has 25mm alum tube battens, and can be fixed down tightly (been in 50knt gusts at anchor with no issues). There is a panel which clips on the the rear of the awning to make up for the boom being short of the transom. This stops the dew settling on back of cockpit and keeps the sun from streaming into the cabin first thing in the morning. One corner can be folded back for access to the boarding ladder. It's the same vinyl coated fabric as the awning itself. On either side there are clip on curtains made from a light weight (about 2000 denier coated nylon) fabric. They can be rolled up if you wish to keep them in place whilst motoring or at anchor and make the whole cockpit weatherproof in foul weather.
As well as that one of the best accessories I have is a foredeck cover which covers the front hatch and allows you to keep the hatch open in all weather without rain entering. Its made of acrylic canvas.
When sailing the awning is removed,rolled up and lashed along the gunwhale to the the stanchions on the foredeck. All other accessories fold up and are stored under the forward bunk.