R25OB Bimini rain water retention

[trailertrawlerkismet]

There was a thread a while back, I looked but could not find today, that covered the topic of rain water retention on the aft side of the factory installed Bimini, specifically on the R25OB. I’ve tried swim noodles, tightening the canvas more and it does not help shed rain water from the back side of the canvas. Has anyone come up with an alternative idea? I was thinking two slightly arched stainless bars from the center arch bar going back to the rear bar at 45 degree angles. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Jim

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

Check out my video on it. They may be what you were remembering.

https://youtu.be/502WfAQPgp4


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[cliffm]

Check out my video on it. They may be what you were remembering.

https://youtu.be/502WfAQPgp4


Very nice! thanks for sharing!

 

[baz]

There was a thread a while back, I looked but could not find today, that covered the topic of rain water retention on the aft side of the factory installed Bimini, specifically on the R25OB. I’ve tried swim noodles, tightening the canvas more and it does not help shed rain water from the back side of the canvas. Has anyone come up with an alternative idea? I was thinking two slightly arched stainless bars from the center arch bar going back to the rear bar at 45 degree angles. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Jim

Ho, ho, the unwanted water shower is a well known issue. For me, the real answer is to have a full cockpit enclosure that I'm sure you're not at all interested in installing.

The stock Bimini with its velcro fastenings to the SS bracing support bars are simply insufficient for keeping the canvas taunt/tight no matter how much you fiddle with them.

IMO, you have no choice but to use additional cross bracing that is curved upwards as needed to avoid the water puddling on top of the canvas. It will also mean the water will shed off the Bimini down into the cockpit because the Bimini canvas does not cover the complete cockpit area at the aft area nor its sides.

I've found even with a small puddle of standing water on top of the canvas, if left for some time, will make its way through the canvas and start dripping small amounts of water into the cockpit. Of course the complete solution is for a hard top Bimini.

Jim, there really is no good solution I'm afraid except for the occasional tightening as best you can do. 🙁

Now, CruisingElvinRay does have a very decent inexpensive solution that should go a long way to answer your concern(s) Jim. A nice easy DIY method I must say. 🙂

For my R25/OB that would have the same type RT stock Bimini installed, and knowing all to well the water run-off issue that I experienced on my R27/OB that had a slightly longer Bimini top, the only way to avoid water run-off even with additional bracing such as shown by CruisingElvinRay's solution, is to have a full cockpit enclosure. This avoids the unwanted water showers when climbing onboard, but more importantly for me, keeps the cockpit completely dry without water issues - important for keeping cockpit stowed items dry, as well as avoiding possible water intrusion into the cockpit lockers in very heavy side wind downpours. Of course the downside of going the full cockpit enclosure route would be the cost, but then the full cockpit enclosure comes with a long list of benefits beyond keeping the water out of the cockpit and the unwanted water showers.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’m going to experiment with Elvin Rays pvc idea. On the R25OB the water collection is between the center arch and the stern side of the canvas Bimini. If this works then I’ll need to decide if I want to keep the $17 DIY in place or convert to the stainless option and much more money.

Jim

 

[baz]

I’m going to experiment with Elvin Rays pvc idea. On the R25OB the water collection is between the center arch and the stern side of the canvas Bimini. If this works then I’ll need to decide if I want to keep the $17 DIY in place or convert to the stainless option and much more money.

Jim

Oh Jim.... Elvin's solution is a marvel. Just paint the PVC piping silver and no one will ever know its material. 😉

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

I’m going to experiment with Elvin Rays pvc idea. On the R25OB the water collection is between the center arch and the stern side of the canvas Bimini. If this works then I’ll need to decide if I want to keep the $17 DIY in place or convert to the stainless option and much more money.

Jim

Let me know how it works on the R-25!


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[trailertrawlerkismet]

I took the information that Cruising Elvin Ray provided and applied it to our R25OB. My rain water retention was between the center cross member stainless Bimini bar and the rear most part of the Bimini. I used the exact fittings that ElvinRay used and cut the 1” pvc pipe to 66 3/4”. I’d post a photo but not aware how so if anyone wants a photo PM me. It all fit and has tightened up the Bimini canvas nicely. The real test will be when we get the next rain. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks Elvin Ray.

Jim F

 

[baz]

Hey Jim: Even though I'm going for the full cockpit enclosure it's still possible if the canvas top sags a tad that my Bimini top will be capable of collecting water puddles that if left can eventually find its way through the canvas and into my dry cockpit. 😱 🙁 If I find this to be an issue I will also be using the Elvin mod.

 

[NwRecon]

Check out my video on it. They may be what you were remembering.

https://youtu.be/502WfAQPgp4


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This is a great simple fix. I will be adding this to our R23. I have an idea that might help. Can the center connection of the bow that is planned to allow for easy storage, be a T fitting with the bottom of the T being threaded so another arm could be connected to the factory center bow or the cabin to help hold the add-on bow a little more stable?

I will also be looking into using the same T connectors to the starboard deck railing since it is a simple snap-on. Then pull off the padded gunnel below to expose the metal brackets it attaches to. Now fabricate a fish cleaning station out of aluminum with a slight V and lip to drain waste overboard. Clip on the rail and brackets slid down on padding brackets and lock with a simple screw in knob bolt. A table could also be fabricated or BBQ stand. Our 23 does not have a fold down seat on that side so it seams like a good location for transformer options. Any thoughts?

 

[SLyle01]

Inventing the wheel guys? If you have an extendable boathook, simply extend it, prop it fairly tight (for wind) under the sagging area, base down and VOILA! No more boarding-showers. Worked fine on our R27OB

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

This is a great simple fix. I will be adding this to our R23. I have an idea that might help. Can the center connection of the bow that is planned to allow for easy storage, be a T fitting with the bottom of the T being threaded so another arm could be connected to the factory center bow or the cabin to help hold the add-on bow a little more stable?

I will also be looking into using the same T connectors to the starboard deck railing since it is a simple snap-on. Then pull off the padded gunnel below to expose the metal brackets it attaches to. Now fabricate a fish cleaning station out of aluminum with a slight V and lip to drain waste overboard. Clip on the rail and brackets slid down on padding brackets and lock with a simple screw in knob bolt. A table could also be fabricated or BBQ stand. Our 23 does not have a fold down seat on that side so it seams like a good location for transformer options. Any thoughts?

I like the T connector idea!

 

[NwRecon]

Inventing the wheel guys? If you have an extendable boathook, simply extend it, prop it fairly tight (for wind) under the sagging area, base down and VOILA! No more boarding-showers. Worked fine on our R27OB

This might work also since I have two boat hooks, One light and one heavy duty boat hooks that I hang from the clamp on rocket launchers on each side of the boat (a small Velcro strap slides down to hold them from bouncing loose). I like them handy but could use the light duty one with a section of slide-on water pipe insulation to lift the top a little in the center like the bow does in the other Idea.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

Inventing the wheel guys? If you have an extendable boathook, simply extend it, prop it fairly tight (for wind) under the sagging area, base down and VOILA! No more boarding-showers. Worked fine on our R27OB

Are you extending it vertically from the deck?


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[NwRecon]

I think he is and fine for storage but when out fishing in the rain it might get in the way during the frenzy of FISH-ON! ElvinRay's idea stops the puddling while also in use which is my interest since I have covered storage.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

I think he is and fine for storage but when out fishing in the rain it might get in the way during the frenzy of FISH-ON! ElvinRay's idea stops the puddling while also in use which is my interest since I have covered storage.

I only remove the setup when I remove the canvas (trailering, or storage).


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[NwRecon]

Installed ElvinRay's support today and it worked great. I did wipe the PVC down with some Acetone to remove marks and lettering. The ends are covered by the Bimini flaps that Velcro around the factory frame so all you can see on our R23 is the bow. I installed it behind the center factory bow since that was the area sagging. I looked around and saw plastic switches and a plastic shutoff valve for the raw water wash-down hook-up, so plastic is not foreign to the Rt. If it bothers me in the future, i can always upgrade to a stainless bow with clamp-on ends. This setup cost me less than $5 since I had the pipe in the leftover project supply rack.