Sailing Solévideo
Making a NEW BIMINI Frame & NEW DINGHY TEST DRIVE | Catalina 30
June 7, 2026 · 19 min · 2K views · Long Beach
Man installs bimini frame on Catalina 30 in marina
What this video covers
The owner of a Catalina 30 modifies the existing bimini frame to increase cockpit headroom and provide a mounting platform for solar panels.0:02 After welding 14-inch stainless steel extensions to the frame, the owner determines the height is excessive and cuts six inches off the tubing using a handheld bandsaw.12:13 To ensure a square cut on the stainless pipe, the owner wraps a dollar bill around the tube to mark a straight line.13:58 The project involves reusing original fittings, though corrosion on set screws complicates the assembly.5:48 The owner also considers fabricating a custom, four-legged hard-top structure to avoid relying on the boat's existing, less-stout stern rail.9:57 Separately, the owner tests a new West Marine Rib 260 dinghy with a 3.5-horsepower Mercury outboard modified to 5.5 horsepower.6:42 During a transit from Alamitos Bay to Island White, the dinghy struggles against 15 knots of headwind, maintaining only 4 knots and requiring the choke to remain partially engaged.17:33
Boats in this video
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