Merlin, I think it really depends where it is you sail. We sailed our
Island Packet around
Seattle, on a big lake in Montana (Flathead), and now in
Florida. She has one of those cool low dodgers and no bimini, which was great in the
PNW and Montana. However, in
Florida, having the sun beat on our heads all day is pretty rough. A bimini is definitely in the future, although they really don't look that cool. Don't laugh, but many times we simply tie a big beach umbrella to the
helm. We look like Mary Poppins but it helps, a lot.