Bimini on Lagoon 450

[Kleintooth]

I've heard some reports that the factory bimini is too small, anybody comment on this?

[careka]

try asking in the Lagoon forum here on CF.

[roetter]

I am designing my own bimini as I find the one on the L450 too small. We chartered an L450 in Martinique this November. People were always moving around to find some shade. The fly bridge is where everybody wants to sit. So on my L450 I will have a bimini that spans the width of the salon roof.

[dirkdig]

We have a hardtop on my 440 which has clears all round and works great.

[Kleintooth]

Originally Posted by roetter

I am designing my own bimini as I find the one on the L450 too small. We chartered an L450 in Martinique this November. People were always moving around to find some shade. The fly bridge is where everybody wants to sit. So on my L450 I will have a bimini that spans the width of the salon roof.

Hi Rolf
Where did you get your wide bimini designed and who is making it for you
I only take delivery of my 450 in April 2013
Cheers
Tom

[roetter]

Originally Posted by Kleintooth

Hi Rolf
Where did you get your wide bimini designed and who is making it for you
I only take delivery of my 450 in April 2013
Cheers
Tom

Hi Tom
I am designing the bimini myself. We had chartered a L450 in November and found it a struggle with four people to find enough shade, never mind rain protection. I am waiting on the quotes from 2 companies now.

If i don't like the quotes, then I will purchase or rent a simple pipe bender and bend the pipes myself. Except for bending and cutting (with a $15 pipe cutter), it requires no other fabrication. It uses standard end fittings for connecting and attaching the pipes. The bimini will be attached to the hand rails on the sides of the salon roof. It will use 2 or three adjustable straps fore and aft to tighten it and to be able to tilt to adjust for the sun angle. It will probably require one metal support in the middle for stiffness, at least in strong winds.

I will make the canvas myself.

Rolf

[bryguy67]

Dirkdig...am I understanding that you have a custom hardtop with isenglass enclosure above the helm of your L440? If so, I would really like to see some photos of that.

[dirkdig]

here are some pics of the hardtop, works great in all weather

[dirkdig]

a few more angles

[bryguy67]

Dirkdig, you are a hero! I've been searching for somebody who would put a hard top on a 440. This obviously was a custom job, not factory. I have thought this up in my head 100 times and wondered why the factory wouldn't offer this or why more owners wouldn't have it added after-market. It takes away so many of the objections that the open air raised cockpit has. It keeps you out of the sun, out of the overspray and rain, wind etc. Nice job! The only things I think I would do differently is to put a window in the center (with a roller-shade) so I can see the sails (although I see how easy it would be to simply peak around the side, plus I've thought of how if it were a flat top, solar panels could be installed easily. However, standing on the top also must make getting the mainsail into the stack pack MUCH easier (and solar could be in the way of doing that). Your boom appears to be very level (horizontal) where a lot of 440's it angels up towards the aft. Did you make changes there too? So the only downside left in the 440 vs. a conventional layout (like in the 420) is that if you are sailing in heavy weather all comfy under your nice hartop with the enclosure, you have to go out into the rainy nasty stuff to go get a midnight snack. Overall though, this simple idea may just put the 440 back on our list of boats to consider upgrading to. Without being so bold as to ask what it cost you to add the top with the enclosure, may I ask if it's under $15,000 U.S. without offending? Cheers!

[dirkdig]

I wish i could take credit but the previous oner who is a naval architect did it and it cost $8000 aust dollars.
The hardtop is off a Riveria stinkboat which he got direct from the factory as he does design work for them.
The stainless uprights are just fabricated by a welder.
It makes for. Very nice area and gives you the option to sit inside or out in the sun by just sliding over.
Been up there in all sort of weather and not even got a drop on 3 of us.
I think the boom is just sitting down in the pics as i have not made any adjustments there.
This hardtop should be a factory option and they would sell plenty.
Handy for solar panels too.
Glad to help

[JR99]

Dirkdig! Any links or contact references on this would be great! This is what I've been looking for.

[RichinBoca]

That's a game changer for that boat.
Well done!

[Emerald Sea]

Lagoon offer two sizes of bimini's for the 450; a small and large one. I believe the one you are talking about is the small factory offered one, commonly seen for those not wanting to dish out more cash. If you don't like lots of sun, then you'd order the large one, as we did which covers the full width of the seating area plus some and adequate coverage fore and aft. The large one is the right size and comes with a good set of folding sunbrella covers/clears. There are design improvements to be made which we will also do when this one's time has come to an end.

[peterp]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

I wish i could take credit but the previous oner who is a naval architect did it and it cost $8000 aust dollars.
The hardtop is off a Riveria stinkboat which he got direct from the factory as he does design work for them.
The stainless uprights are just fabricated by a welder.
It makes for. Very nice area and gives you the option to sit inside or out in the sun by just sliding over.
Been up there in all sort of weather and not even got a drop on 3 of us.
I think the boom is just sitting down in the pics as i have not made any adjustments there.
This hardtop should be a factory option and they would sell plenty.
Handy for solar panels too.
Glad to help

Dirdig, that is the best bimini top I have ever seen on a Lagoon, great job. I must say I would love that on my L400, I always thought Lagoon should put some effort into a better looking bimini and a hard top like yours, the Leopard do a excellent hardtop, but always thought the Lightwave did the best most attractive and weather proof bimini, guess I am stuck with my ugly ragtop, hate it. Must say I am most envious, think I may go and sulk.
Regards Peter