When we were first looking at boats, I didn't want a dodger or bimini, as I thought it would detract from the beauty of the boat. After sailing in scorching sun and torrential rain, I wouldn't trade my bimini and dodger for anything! Comfort in foul weather can make it all worthwhile! Congrats on your new bimini!
Looks gorgeous.
You guys really are a role model for a whole bunch of us armchair sailors. So, when looking at the horseshoe lifering at this beautiful picture please consider what US Sailing says about retro-reflective tape, self-igniting light, drogue and yacht's name...
http://offshore.ussailing.org/Assets/Offshore/SAS/5+2012+2013+Monohull+Cat+3+Extract.html
4.17 Yacht's name
Yacht's name shall be on miscellaneous buoyant equipment, such as lifejackets, cushions, lifebuoys, lifeslings, grab bags etc. **
4.18 Marine grade retro-reflective material
Marine grade retro-reflective material shall be fitted to lifebuoys, lifeslings, liferafts and lifejackets. See OSRs 5.04, 5.08. **
4.22 Lifebuoys
4.22.1 The following shall be provided within easy reach of the helmsman and ready for instant use: **
a) a lifebuoy with a self-igniting light and a drogue or a Lifesling with a self-igniting light and without a drogue. **
For Categories 0,1,2,3 US SAILING prescribes that the lifebuoy in OSR 4.22.1 a) above shall be a Lifesling (without a drogue), equipped with a self-igniting light within easy reach of the helmsman and ready for instant use. (See Appendix D). MoMu0,1,2,3
4.22.3 Each inflatable lifebuoy and any automatic device (eg pole and flag extended by compressed gas) shall be tested and serviced at intervals in accordance with its manufacturer's instructions. **
4.22.4 Each lifebuoy or lifesling shall be fitted with marine grade retro-reflective material (4.18). **
4.22.5 It is recommended that the colour of each lifebuoy be a safety colour in the yellow-red range. (new in 2012)
Not sure why we should look at what US Sailing says?
We have no plans to neither sail in the waters of the US or register our boat there.
Taru, what is Alex using for Varnish? I use CeTOL and love it. Your Boat looks great
Jeff
http://blueheronschange.blogspot.com/
Epiphanes varnish, it's a Dutch brand that Alex finds best of the ones he tried.
Thanks for the feedback.
- Jeff
http://blueheronschange.blogspot.com/