Carbon Fiber Hardtop Bimini: Building the Rain Catch and CURVES (11)
October 6, 2024 · 15 min · 71K views
What this video covers
Construction of a custom carbon fiber hardtop bimini for a 49-foot sailboat involves fabricating complex curved sections and integrating a rain gutter system. To achieve structural rigidity, the builders use a vacuum bagging technique, creating an airtight form from wood, epoxy, and 17-ounce e-glass.2:24 The process requires layering carbon fiber on both sides of the form while the epoxy remains tacky to ensure a chemical bond, creating a single, unified structure.13:11 The team measures components from a established center line to account for the difficulty of aligning curved edges.8:24 This new hardtop structure is designed to replace the existing traveler, serving as a mounting point for the mainsheet.10:01 Because the new mounting points are positioned further aft on the boom, the design reduces the total force load compared to the original traveler configuration.10:01 The builders also plan to install a boom brake to mitigate potential crash jibe loads on the new arch.10:12
More from Expedition Engineering
From Expedition Engineering — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.