Rick
I have the factory bimimi top and I can send some photos if you like. Yes you
can sail with it and I have during a sail with my wife and during a
rainstorm. I keep the bimimi stored aft when trailering but flip it forward
over the
companionway hatch once the mast is up. In the forward position, it doesn't
interfer with access to the cabin. To deploy it I have to uncleat the mainsheet
and set the top up then re-cleat the mainsheet. The boom clears the bimini top
but you do lose some tuning ability since it's hard to see the main with the
top up. I have practiced doing a quick reef by dropping the bimini aft onto the
tiller, doing the jiffy reef then swinging the top up again. The factory
bimini top attaches to the combings just a few inches aft of the center combing
cleats. There are four straps which attach to eyes at each end of the combings.
At anchor, I raise the top then I stretch a small nylon tarp like a boom tent
from the bimini forward o the mast to cover the hatch opening.
Don
M-15 Sweet Dream
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