As I am assessing this boat, I discovered that my 6’3" height fits perfectly down below but not under the Bimini! The Bimini canvas, which is stretched tight, is on my head and the sail is resting lightly on the Bimini. I am looking for a clue as to what is wrong and how to solve the problem. I am totally new to the Nonsuch and am relying on the vast wealth of experience represented here on this forum. Please help!
The topping lift can raise the sail stack (make sure to loosen the mainsheet first)
Have you hoisted the sail and see where the boom sits vertically then?
Michael Jabara
Hobbes II - 1995 NS 354
San Rafael, CA
You did not mention whether the sail was up or laying in the lazy jacks when it was resting on the Bimini. When the sail is in the bag or at least not hoisted you can lift the boom with the topping lift so that it is well clear of the Bimini. When the sail is fully hoisted it should be clear of the Bimini. Except in rare circumstances you will have the topping lift fully off (loosened) when sailing otherwise it will interfere with the sail shape. Are there floor boards in the cockpit? If yes you can remove them to give more clearance. If no floor boards to remove the only real way to gain more head room is to have a taller Bimini. If you were to go that route you will need to make sure it is not so high that it interferes with the sail or boom when you are sailing. On the 26 Nonsuch Bimini height is limited to about 6’. I don’t know how high you can safely go on a 33. Hope fully a tall person with a 33 will be able to tell you.
Mark Powers
I am approaching the same situation with my N22. I am hoping to achieve standing headroom in the cockpit, which should also give good visibility when seated at the helm. My boat came with a 3 bow frame but no canvas for the bimini, so I am ready to proceed with designing one. First I need to measure the height of the foot when the sail is hoisted, I am assuming that will be the baseline for the design. If it’s not high enough to allow for my 5’6" height, I have been considering having about 6" removed from the head of the sail to allow a greater hoist. I am hoping to build a cover that extends somewhat over the companionway (for rainy days), and aft to the steering pedestal. Aft of that I plan to have another bow which will allow mounting of a solar panel and serve as a boom crutch. The solar panel will provide shade over the helm. The aft bow will be near the rear of the cockpit coaming, so it can also serve as guide for the sheet. I plan to get a top opening sail cover made so I can adjust the height with the lines from the boom.
Has anyone here already done a similar bimini for a N22? Are there any fatal flaws with this plan?
Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punta Gorda Fl
I am/was 6’3” tall and cannot stand completely erect under my dodger or bimini, however I already have to bend like a jackknife to enter/exit the boat with bimini up.
Bott’s sail up, TL slack, there is some 4” clearance for the boom, lazy jacks and top zipper sail cover. My son who is 6’5” complained about the headroom, but he rarely sails with me. If the boom clears OK but the sail foot doesn’t, why not just shorten the last three lazy jacks?
Richard Lane
NS26c #35 Swoose
Port Townsend
Steve: Without extending the bimini height, I don’t have an answer. I just want to mention that you will see how we normally sign off with our names, what we have and where we are. It really helps in getting answers to your questions.
Welcome aboard,
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Ron -
Don’t move too quickly on this. Sail the boat a little while on various points of sail before making real plans - Don’t just let the sail drop and measure.
Like you, I’m a leprechaun (5’6"). A nod to St. Patrick, BTW. I can’t understand why you’d have issues with stuff being too low or getting conked on the head.
Erin Go Bragh
Ernie A. in Hogtown (OK, OK … my last name is not Irish. But, today, we are ALL Irish.)
Thanks all for your usual thoughtful responses.
Dick - Thanks for the encouragement. Reading between the lines, you confirmed my thinking that the foot may be inconsequential when using a sail bag that is permanently attached. I would surmise that it would be OK to get the required height by simply raising the lazy jack lines as necessary. There seems to be more than enough skirt on my sail that could be raised up without harm.
Ernie - I shall take your advice and not be in a hurry. I guess one serious concern I have is to be able to stand erect behind the wheel and to have decent visibility at the same time. I’m thinking that if the bimini interferes with the foot of the sail, or the sail bag, that it may not be an occurrence except when tacking. When the sail is down, my plan is to have the boom rest on the aftmost bow which would keep it at the right height and relieve the mast of it’s weight. Actually I probably won’t be able to rush this thing with other projects to be completed. Hopefully I can get in some sailing time in between. My lack of physical height was redeemed when Japanese cars made their appearance in this country and they fit me just fine. The one problem that remains however is the top shelf at the grocery store where they put all the stuff that I want. I am grateful that you spelled it out clearly “LEPRECHAUN”. Back in school they just called me Lepy which I resented. Of course the Irish girls would always follow me for the fictitious (still) pot of gold.
Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punt Gorda Fl
hi ron -
Always a pleasure to (attempt to) assist another, especially an NS22 sailor (cuz WE rock). In the “it takes one to know one” department, I have the inclination that you, like me, are prone to worry a little. Fear not - this is a sign of superior intellect (and real humility). I mention this because you are bringing up a lot of interesting scenarios that might arrive but … I do not know if you have actually gone sailing with this boat, a few times, at least.
Specifically, our masts are MADE to sit, for decades, slightly bent backwards due to the weight of the boom and the sail. I have never heard of a Nonsuch sailor creating a “boom rest” purely to avoid the mast having to take this weight. A boom rest (any type) is handy, I suppose, for keeping the boom still while motoring or just to keep it from swinging around. The whole boat, mast and all, are impeccably designed and aluminum (like glass) is very flexible.
If I am correct in my assessment … stop worrying, go sailing and, just like the rest of us, flail around only a little (unless you are out in a full gale). You’ll get all of these queries answered, pronto !!
Enjoy and stay healthy.
Ernie A. in rainy and grey Toronto
Very shortly after the purchase of our NS26 I found that I had a real problem with the wishbone smashing around when motoring in chop. We have a narrow lake here and sometimes beating into the wind causes me to revert to the Iron Jib conveniently located below the cockpit. When doing this the wishbone flailed all over the place. A bridle and hardening all the other available lines (Topping Lift and Main Halyard) in my mind only reduced the flailing somewhat and greatly increased the stress on all the components.
In my mind the solution was so simple I could not believe it was not a part of the boat from square one!
Two pieces of PVC cut to a suitable length around 7’ or so (to position the Wishbone above the Bimini) that would be resting against inside of the foot of the rear Stanchions and attached to the end of the Wishbone.
The conduit is roughly 7’ in length is 1 ½’ and with 1” dowel inside (to provide added rigidity and flotation if dropped overboard). The conduit is capped at each end with the standard PVC cap, and a large eye screw is screwed through the cap into the dowel at one end of each 7’ length of the conduit. A chain connector link is used to join the eyes at the end of the conduit and a snap shackle attached to the eyes that will join them with the snap end used to attach the Gallows to the end of the wishbone. With the Gallows attached to the Wishbone and the lower ends resting against the bottom of the Stanchions and the Mainsheets hardened the Wishbone does not move and the Gallows stay in place. The Topping lift can be eased completely removing stress and continued bend of the mast.
The boat is kept this way when not in use in the Harbour and this is also used for winter storage.
The Gallows are simple to attach. Simply mark the Topping Lift at a point where it can be brought to and the Gallows can be easily attached to the Wishbone and allowing the lower ends to be put in place against the inside of the Stanchions. Ease the Topping Lift and harden the Mainsheets and nothing moves with all the stress relieved.
The Gallows are always convenient because when not in use they are stored out of the way across the stern of the boat, in front of or behind the Mainsheet block with the snap shackle clipped onto one of the eyes on the rail. Always handy just a short reach away. I have seen a lot of Nonsuch boats in person and in photos but never seen this used except for the 3 boats I installed them on in the Elbow Harbour.
Sorry tried to add photos but it would not let me. Email me for info at above or jhartley@sasktel.net
If the primary concern is the boom bouncing too much while motoring, another alternative is to run a bridle or two from the stern chocks to the aft boom fitting.
Here’s one example of what that might look like.
I have both lines adjustable with trucker’s hitches, running to a hook that grabs a soft shackle hanging off the fitting. Tighten those and the mainsheet, and the boom is held from three points.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143