Visit our Popular Forums

**Cotemar** · 25-01-2011, 04:55

Mahe's

Looks like FP will now be offering a Helm Bimini on all it's new models.
Here is what one of them looks like on the SALINA 48 Evolution.
This picture came out of their January 2011 news letter.

I will see if I can get FP to send me a picture of the new Mahe Helm Bimini.

Mark

**Cotemar** · 06-02-2011, 12:07

Thanks to Clipperton for getting us a picture of the new Mahe Helm Bimini.

vayacondios · 09-06-2011, 16:20

We just had made an awning/bimini for the front of the boat. Covers the trampoline and wings back, including covering the front windows. You can walk under it and get around to the other side easily. We spend about 2 months out of the year, on the trampoline at anchor in the hot hot sun reading and relaxing, now we have shade! Next... need to get awning for main part of cabin, will then be totally undercover. It gets really hot here in FNQ.
Rozzie

longislandsail · 06-09-2011, 16:31

Hello All Mahe Owners
As you have read I had a coustom bimini made for my mahe. I have a brand new in the box from the factory Blue standard bimini cover. If anyone is interested in it please email me at longislandsail@aol.com
Al

1rkghost · 19-09-2011, 19:08

Im interested

**Cotemar** · 23-11-2011, 08:02

Mahe's,

Here is a look at the beginnings of my new hard top.
I purchase three Azek sheets 4 feet x 8 feet x 1/2 thick at $110 each.
www.azek.com/azek-sheet

The whole cockpit and helm seat will be covered by hardtop.
Cost will be around $1,350 when completed.

Once I removed the canvas top, I gel-coated the top of the fiberglass walkway.

The blue canvas top made the cockpit very hot and I wanted to cover the helm, so decided to do everything all at once.

These pictures just show the start of the project with nothing screwed down. The Azek is screwed down with #8-32 counter sunk screws that become hidden when finished.

Will post more pictures when this winter project is completed.

Mark

Jef & Marin, Netherlands · 24-11-2011, 05:55

Hi Mark,
I am impressed, another interesting Catatude project!
Indeed below the bimini it can be very hot! Also: the problem of the mainsheet touching the bimini is solved by just touching stainless steel.
Have been looking at this Azek sheet, I did not know of it's existence. Very interesting.
Is the outside layer different from the inside of the sheets? Do you need to finish the sides?
How is UV resistance?

I have not seen this kind of stuff here in Europe. Alternative could be to buy thin polyester / glass fibre sheet with gelcoat on it. Could lead to the same low weight but would be less pretty from the bottom side.
How did you put gelcoat on the fixed bimini part? Sand and brush, then a lot of sanding?

Kind regards
Jef

**Cotemar** · 24-11-2011, 06:26

Jef,

Azek sheets are very easy to work with. Just use standard woodworking tools.
Both sides of the Azek sheets are the same smooth surface. Just cut out using a jig saw and then I used a small hand planer to smooth the cut edges.
Used a 1/4 inch radius round router bit to put a nice rounded edge on only the outside edges.

Azek sheets are very UV resistant and are made for no maintenance outdoor use.

Al from "Southern Cross" which is the Mahe right next to me in those pictures actually walks on his Azek walk way on his custom bimini.

I hand sanded the fiberglass walkway with 80 grit sandpaper and brushed on one coat of Evercoat One Step Premium Gelkote
One Step Premium Gelkote

Lightly sanded with 80 grit again before brushing on the second coat and that was it. Surface has a texture which is good to walk on.

Mark

Le Doume · 24-11-2011, 11:08

Hi Guys ,
Although mine is not a Mahe , it is still a FP ( LAVEZZI) I to found very early in the piece that it was very hot under the blue canvas , so we made a " plug" using the existing bimini and S/S frame and had a GRP hardtop made , it is 42 mm thich as it has a foam core for stenght and insulation . It has made a huge difference .
See pics attached
Cheers

Le Doume · 24-11-2011, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by vayacondios

We just had made an awning/bimini for the front of the boat. Covers the trampoline and wings back, including covering the front windows. You can walk under it and get around to the other side easily. We spend about 2 months out of the year, on the trampoline at anchor in the hot hot sun reading and relaxing, now we have shade! Next... need to get awning for main part of cabin, will then be totally undercover. It gets really hot here in FNQ.
Rozzie

Hi Vayacondios
I think that we were in Mooloolaba at the same time , I have also had some shades mades to protect front and sides as well as shades for the cockpit .
See photos attached
Cheers

Le Doume · 24-11-2011, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Doume

Hi Vayacondios
I think that we were in Mooloolaba at the same time , I have also had some shades mades to protect front and sides as well as shades for the cockpit .
See photos attached
Cheers

I also had some " clears" made to suit the cockpit nas the panels can be mixed with the shades to provide protection as well as airflow

**Cotemar** · 24-11-2011, 16:44

Le Doume,

Very nice work you do. Gives me ideas for my next winter project.
Thanks for sharing.

Mark

Le Doume · 25-11-2011, 11:27

Hi Cotemar ,
Always a pleasure to share inof with FP's owners , my next project presently in progress is a S/S targa which will support 2 x 185 watts solar panel as well as an outdoor proper shower and a wind generator .
Will put pics on the forum once its completed

Cheers