Triton Bimini

[Triton 670]

Has anyone had any luck with installing any of the manufactured bimini tops on a Triton? I've been trying to determine if any of the pre-made sizes would work without interfering with the mainsheet (end of boom) and the jibsheets.

http://connect.taylormadeproducts.com/biminguide/html/

Maybe I'll have to be the guinea pig, but before I shell out for a custom made one, I'd like to see if anyone has tried this. I think it will be worth it's weight in sunscreen.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Tim

[Zach]

While not a Triton, I have seen a slick installation of a folding bimini.

A friend of mine installed a bimini across the cockpit coamings, and just ahead of the mainsheet traveller on an old Herreshoff so he could get out of the sun... yet still be able to drop everything down to keep an eye on the sails while racing.

It looked like a neat installation, though the triton is a much smaller boat, it'd be a neat trick to keep the winches clear and have enough room to go forward on deck.

You probably would be well off to make a mock up out of PVC pipe elbows and some carriage bolts of whatever model you are pondering... Pylasteki is going to end up with a boomkin mounted bimini.

Zach

[Rachel]

Pylasteki is going to end up with a boomkin mounted bimini.

Do you mean boom gallows? If boomkin.... I need a sketch :)

[barrybrown]

Tim,
For what it is worth I had one built for my EC Triton this winter. The dimensions that I used were 88" wide at the bottom 84" wide at the top 54" fore and aft and 49" high. It will mount on the top of the toe rail and be supported by struts to the stern rail posts. The forward edge will be in line with the aft end of the cabin. This set-up does not allow for a full swing of the winch handle which I don't consider important on a Triton. It does allow for easy access to the side decks. (I had this same arrangement on my last boat)
This one was made by Thurston Canvas in Bristol R.I. excellent work and good price.
I hope the dimensions help in looking for a prebuilt, I looked but was unable to find a suitable compromise.
Barry

[Zach]

Barry... pictures!

indeed Rachel... boom gallows. A boomkin mounted bimini would be a mighty low bimini!

Cheers,

Zach

[barrybrown]

Zach,
I'm in Massachusetts, there won't be any pictures until summer unless I can find some of my last boat.
Barry

[sscoll]

There's pictures of a couple on the Triton MIR pages. You'll have to do some digging through the Tritons Afloat listings.

Steve

[sscoll]

#88 Natana has a bimini you might look at on the NTA web site. Looks like a good install.

[Triton 670]

Thanks for the replies folks. #88 is exactly what I was talking about. Any chance the owner is on this forum?

Thanks!

Tim

[Rachel]

Since I went to look to see what #88's name was (in case I had heard of it), I'll post the info and link here - maybe it will help.

She's "Natana"



More photos at the link:
http://tritonclass.org/mir/88ta.html

[miltonb]

Hello there,
Milt Brown of Natana #88 is here. The bimini I used was an off the shelf unit that I picked up new 9 years ago for $160.00 and included the boot! It is a standard 3 bow unit with aluminum frame. I had to shorten it by about 10 inches. It took me about 45 minutes to install. I'll measure it this weekend and snap some photos as well.

Cheers,
Milt Brown
S/V Natana #88
Tampa, Florida

[Rachel]

Welcome, Milt!

Natana sure is looking gorgeous in that photo, and please do show us more :)

The bimini looks really nice, and I'm sure the shade is very welcome in Floridian waters. How is it for going forward (you that is, not the bimini)?

Glad we "lured" you in with a mention of #88 :D

Rachel

[miltonb]

Thanks Rachel,
Yup, you lured a lurker! Natana is what I call 50 ft nice (don't look to closely!) I've had her for 11 years. I've sailed her hard and often, now I've developed a laundry list of to do's.
1. Recore foredeck.
2. Replace mast beam and recore under mast step.
3. Replace upper shroud chain plates
4. Rebuild or replace rudder, pintles, and gudgeons
5. Repaint everything!

What I have done.
1. Rebuild A-4, reshaft, indigo prop, pertronix electronic ignition, 4-t105 batteries, solar panel
2. Install a bronze shaft log (the "nub" came off with the cutlass bearing).
3. Install Alado Roller furling, over the transom backstay chainplate, lazy jacks, mainsheet traveler
4. Full batten main
5. A ton of other stuff!

In the mean time; I'll sail the heck out of her!

Thanks for the Welcome,
Milt
Natana #88

P.S. I'll post some photos when I figure out how

[Rachel]

Milt,

Sounds like you have a nice, long friendship going with #88. Luckily the projects on your list sound like typical 1960s/Triton ones, so you'll be able to see what many have done before you. And quite a few of those people are here :)

Also, have you seen the restoration logs at Northern Yacht? Several Tritons have been re-worked and the daily logs can give you a good insight into various projects. Of this list, I think Rookie, Hattie Mae, Kaholee, and Iota are Tritons. I find them to be very interesting reads.

http://www.northernyacht.com/logs.html

There have also been some detailed reports here in the various threads (and of course feel free to start your own).

Oh, and here is a link to a mast beam job on #668, Dasein:

http://www.dasein668.com/projects/rigging/beam

Rachel

[Triton 670]

Milt,

Thanks for the info! It's really amazing to be able to get in touch with someone whose boat you just saw on the internet!

I sure would appreciate those dimensions if you get a chance. I'm very glad to hear that a stock bimini can work. Unfortunately the prices seem to have gone up considerably.

Here is a photo from a week or so ago of #670 "Plan B" at the slip in Chesapeake Bay. One very generous boat owner who lives nearby takes pictures every week or so and emails them to all the boat owners on our dock, it really helps with peace of mind during this nasty winter!

I'm jealous of you folks in Florida, we just got 15 inches of snow here in Philly.

All the best,

Tim

[miltonb]

Tim,
I'll have the measurements and photos tomorrow. I poked around and see what you mean about prices...$200 to $450 seems to be the range these days. I'm in the market for a dodger if you know of a reasonable source. $1500.00 seems a little steep. Wonder if Tim would make me one!

Regards,
Milt
S/V Natana

[miltonb]

Tim,
The bimini on natana measures 72" long, 80" wide, and 50" tall. The deck mounts are installed just inside the toerail, and measure 85" side to side.

[Triton 670]

Thanks Milt! I'll give it a try when the weather gets a little more bearable. I'll be sure to put up some photos if I'm successful.

Tim

[barrybrown]

Finally in the water with bimini installed, could be the best money I spent.

[TritonSean]

Hey, how come my old girl doesn't look like that ? !

.... in my dreams