Building Our Bimini With PVC | ep. 170

[@lorijudd2151]

"I've been getting it up for years." - Todd Congratulations, Todd, you are now officially a sailor! I know sailor talk because, well, I am a sailor. US Navy, 7 years. Welcome to the club!

[@Spoondrifters]

Snort! Wondered how many would catch that! Glad to hear I’m part of the club!

[@SaltyEscape]

@@Spoondrifters we caught it.. lol

[@SailingCoffeecup]

USN here as well. Caught the reference as well! Almost lost my coffee..... Todd is up now, by one point.

[@dennisdrexler5020]

Top came out great. That material seems very nice to work with. That shade will make a huge difference.. Good job and good design.

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you Dennis

[@Dragging79]

Your boat is coming along nicely.

[@Spoondrifters]

Yes it is

[@never2oldadventures]

You guys continue to amaze with your talents and intuitive solutions to projects. Hope to drop by soon.

[@Spoondrifters]

Love to see you Jack and Billie!

[@footballcoach1495]

Thank you sir and thank you for putting up that video. I am going to attempt to do mine this week. Mine will be a much smaller job and I may be able to get away with one sheet of 4 x 8 from my center counsel. Thank you very much.

[@Spoondrifters]

Also we used carriage bolts with butyl on the top to prevent it from leaking. Good luck 🎉

[@southerntexashomestead5028]

Awesome design. You constantly amaze us with your ingenuity. My sailboat needs a new top. I would love to try your idea with the expanded PVC board. Way to go! Excited to see what your next project will be. I'm working on a refit now. So all of your projects are so great to watch. Thanks for sharing. God bless. S/V Cork.

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks for watching. Feel free to reach out when you do it and we can share tips with you if you want.

[@jimmac521]

I was wondering when someone would use that stuff for a bimini... nice. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up.

[@timmitchell8784]

Sailing GBU did this about a year ago and it has held up great.

[@TheCort1971]

@@timmitchell8784 the GBU crew can always be counted on for adventures in the red button philosophy

[@Spoondrifters]

We will Let you know!

[@richardmares2417]

Great job guys

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks Richard

[@pmnfernando]

i think im gonna use that stuff for my bimini! thanks for the tip!

[@Spoondrifters]

You are welcome. Reach out if you have any questions.

[@footballcoach1495]

Awesome. I need to get a few supplies and will take care of that

[@SailingCoffeecup]

Todd is the definition of Jack of all trades! Well done guys!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks guys! Part two of the statement in “master of none” lol.

[@richames3608]

Nice work. I saw GBU has a similar top, but your installation was much cleaner. Looks really sharp!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you.

[@GLOSATX]

Looks good and great job installing it.

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks Gus. How are you doing my friend?

[@GLOSATX]

I'm doing great. Really enjoyed being down there to help. It was kind of cool too having Todd give me an insight into the bimini build before you guys even built it. Looks like it went off exactly as planned (LOL). There are always hiccups. it just depends on how we choose to deal with them. ​ Fair winds @Sailing Spoondrifter looking forward to the next video.

[@tonyhill5418]

That has to be a lot better than working fiberglass in the hot Texas sun.

[@Spoondrifters]

It sure is a lot less itchy!

[@easternsun167]

Have built several Bimini's with pvc ,also interior wall panels , stuff is great ,screws adhere unbelievably

[@easternsun167]

If you used two pieces of 1/4 instead, you can glue it so the outside seam is staggered and sealed .

[@easternsun167]

And you should of 5200 under the aluminum mounts

[@Spoondrifters]

Great to know.

[@ThoughtfulWander]

Nice job keep us posted on how well it works out!

[@Spoondrifters]

We will. Thanks for watching.

[@mr.e7022]

Todd's next project should (must?) be a boarding ladder so you don't have to step on a piling. Nice job on the Bimini. Down side to them is you can't see the shape of the sail.

[@Spoondrifters]

The piling was extra low due to very high water from flooding, but a ladder would be nice. We are planning on cutting in a window to view the sails.

[@ABeriault]

Wow...High tech Spoondrifters! By the way, SV FOLLOW THE BOAT also collects water the same way And right up there with techy electric UMA Well done Cheers..

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks

[@Stoic-of-Rome]

Great effort and that PVC is a brilliant idea!!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks

[@runristaren2]

If you have the rain go throu a filter before ending up in the tank it Will be a lot easier to have the kids accepting it as drinking water and for showers 👍 Great job y all

[@Spoondrifters]

Yes I agree. Thanks for watching.

[@josephlackner5112]

Hi I like your channel, when you start running wires into your bimini what I do is take a metal washer tie a light fishing line 10-12 test to it an put it into the aluminum stanchion of the bimini now you can take a magnet and drag the washer with the magnet to where ever you want, now when you get there you con tie a heavier line to it to pull your wires. when attaching the wires to the line stagger the the wires one to two inches apart so you don't have a big ball up front.Best wishes JOE

[@Spoondrifters]

Great tip Joe

[@edrussell7960]

Looks great. I just put up a gazebo on my front porch yesterday in central Florida. I know what you mean when you said it makes a huge difference. Feels 20 degrees cooler out of the sun. Hope it works out long term for you guys.

[@Spoondrifters]

Florida needs shade too, that’s for sure. We hope it works out too.

[@donfults1]

Great to see things going your way guys... keep on keepin on!

[@Spoondrifters]

Plugging away at it!

[@TheCort1971]

"lets go home" whoooo doggy that is going to have a way different meaning very soon. great job on the top. that is what cruising is all about. figuring it out with what you have access to. but yall already did that anyway

[@Spoondrifters]

A different meaning for sure! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@hanssolo4ever]

the biminitop came out looking really nice, Now you can add some canvas and icen glass around it as well.

[@Spoondrifters]

Hans that is definitely the plan. Thanks for your support!

[@nena4215]

Fantastic job Todd, wow, looks so good and I hope it lasts and works like a champ! It’s so nice seeing you do the last bits and getting used to being on the water. Thanks so much for the wonderful episode PS I love Todd’s sense of humor!!!!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you. Often Tammy just rolls her eyes at my humor, but I know it’s because she loves me!

[@kevinkeys3578]

BZ!!! Well done and great choice!

[@Spoondrifters]

We sure think so!

[@BulletproofPastor]

Todd: Perhaps they've added something to the PVC sheeting for UV protection but when I have exposed conduit it has to be electrical (gray color.) I'm told the gray pigment helps with UV exposure. I've found PVC plumbing becomes brittle after long exposure but I use PVC trim boards around the bath (inside) and it lives up to all advertisements. Green sewer pipe also seems impervious to UV and I have a drain field vent stack that's been exposed to our Texas sun for over 20 years... no issues. If they claim it resists UV, I'd tend to believe it.

[@Spoondrifters]

Tyler I sure hope so. I’ve seen the brittle pvc too, so hopefully this will work. Looking forward to that Mellon too!

[@mp6756]

That top came out amazing nicely done!!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks mike. We like it.

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

Idea for your Bimini. Install water catchment drains on it. That water you catch will be invaluable. (Note, comment made before end of video….) nice progress!

[@Spoondrifters]

Nice save!

[@rolandtb3]

LED lights on the underside. Maybe some staggered antislip strips on the top.

[@Spoondrifters]

Lights for sure, and great idea on the nonslip.

[@mikebraun4098]

I did the same to my boat . A. Over bolt and be very liberal with the 3m 5200 B. Run a 1/4” 3” aluminum flat bar bow to aft to join two panels together ,again use up the 5200 . Pvc does expand and contract a lot ,its only draw back

[@Spoondrifters]

Very cool. Has it been working out for you so far?

[@MycSailor]

If it expands and contracts so much maybe you should have used a pvc strip to join the sections instead of aluminum. If you had used the same materials they would expand and contract together as one. Also you can use actual pvc glue which is permanent instead of 5200 which only last up to 7 years if out of the sun. Hind sight I know

[@imdo301]

Excellent job and a very good idea the use of pvc

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks 👍

[@scottswineford6714]

Free Range Sailing did their dodger in it and just sailed across the Australian Bight. That's the southern ocean, brutal and it seems to have held up fine. Personally I'd paint it but like you say, you can do that later if it starts to chalk. A lot will depend on how much virgin material and calcium carbonate is in the blend. There is also paraffin mixed in that will have to be cleaned up for bonding. Yeah, I made PVC for a while, part of my lung problem.

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks for the info Scott. My lungs are full of nasty stuff from working too. We didn’t know better back then.

[@MrA1582000]

My dock neighbor built a PVC Bimini for his Morgan OI and it has been very strong and durable. I think you will be happy.

[@Spoondrifters]

I’m glad to here that. So far we love it.

[@chasemixon6327]

Nice work!

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks Chase.

[@jorgenlundberg2876]

NICE 👍

[@Spoondrifters]

Thanks

[@Tim8mit]

you are lucky the panels are not available in Canadian Home depots. I could think of a dozen projects with such stuff... Great work. the Bimini looks great

[@Spoondrifters]

We can’t get the panels at Home Depot either. We got them from a local plastic supplier. There are a bunch of things to use them for for sure.

[@smallfry8788]

Amazing! ❤️

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you.

[@gregworkshop5713]

hi looking very good guys

[@Spoondrifters]

Thank you.

[@organicoceans4459]

Great video! Thanks! im so doing this.

[@Spoondrifters]

Good luck. Reach out if you have any questions.

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

Where and how do you plan to install lights on/under the bimini? Your finished project really looks nice.

[@Spoondrifters]

We haven’t fully decided. Likely red and white LED. Could be strips or individual fixtures. The hole in the coming is for wiring purposes.

[@sdallas51]

Great idea, i was planning a fiberglass top but now I am thinking of doing what you did, My hatch covers are made from PVC from Outland Hatch covers, and I have had them for 4 years, no wear ..

[@Spoondrifters]

Way cool!

[@SaltyEscape]

We're thinking of using this for our Bimini also... (now that I've seen this episode)

[@MrOlddave]

Looks like it's going to interfere with the winches. Mighty close to the boom too. I have had problems with my boom rubbing on my bimini and it had a lot more clearance than that. Hopefully, it will work out ok for you.

[@Spoondrifters]

We put our winch handles on to test the placement and it does work where it is. Hopefully it’s not too close to the boom, we allowed room for the solar panels, and we actually thought about a boom gallow on the back to keep the boom from interfering as well we will see how well it works.

[@susanfries4315]

LOVE the hardtop! So much nicer than canvas. I’ll be campaigning heavily for Russ to build us one. Was the hole drilled in the combing for wiring?

[@Spoondrifters]

Yes, we need to bring in the solar wires and plan on lights in the cockpit.

[@offplanetevent]

Did you run a pull string from under the deck, up through the tube and out for the future wiring?

[@Spoondrifters]

We have that covered. Nice to see you thinking ahead too. That is what makes future projects much easier!

[@trevhedges]

Actually looks pretty good! I like it., GBU has Similar, ive no heard them complain about it.. should be “fine” 😂

[@Spoondrifters]

We watched there episode. He didn’t cement his together, but the way he did it still worked.

[@trevhedges]

@@Spoondrifters “It’s fine” 😂

[@jameskahl9546]

it really look great but if you don't mind me asking what kind of glue do you use I've been thinking about doing it to my boat thank you for your time

[@Spoondrifters]

www.amazon.com/SCIGRIP-Acrylic-Plastic-Low-VOC-Fast-Setting/dp/B08GCBW2F9

[@brianluck84]

Pivot! Pivot!

[@Spoondrifters]

Lol

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Did you have to use a heat gun to bend the corners for the gutter on top, or was it already flexible enough? Until you decide where to put down spout hoses from the roof, you can just put string and make it tight going from a low area ( where water runs off the Bimini roof in the rain) and lead it to a bucket. Water will follow the string when it rains.

[@Spoondrifters]

We actually cut the corners out with a jigsaw. The 3/4 by 3/4 is a little too stiff to bend that much.

[@footballcoach1495]

I know this is an older video but I am about to try this on my 23 foot Center Console boat. I think one sheet of 4x8 is going to be perfect with no gluing or other adjustments. Just router the edges and it should be perfect. I do have one question. Did you screw it into the existing metal or did you through bolt it? Also, did you screw the lip you added or glue that? Thank you sir and great idea.

[@Spoondrifters]

We through bolted to the frame and the lip is added with SCIGRIP 10319 16 Acrylic Plastic Cement as per the company we purchased it from. It’s still going strong several years later.

[@jmcgrew001]

Thank you for sharing this project! I’m doing something very similar,what material did you use to make pattern along the deck to measure support clearances and placement that you hot glued together? Thank you

[@Spoondrifters]

This was 1/8" masonite from home depot. Basically Todd uses the cheapest thin board he can find and rips it into 2" strips to build templates.

[@paulbennett7743]

It looks pretty good Todd. I was wondering if the top would lift up in high winds. I think its camber would defiantly generate some form of lift. There is a lot of area there?

[@Spoondrifters]

It is mostly horizontal, and not much different than a standard Bimini setup.

[@dianalind3100]

Did you paint it? I understand PVC isn't rated for drinking water and especially when under UV. I love the idea!!

[@Spoondrifters]

Diana, it is not but it can be. Not sure about the not rated, seems mostTexas homes use PVC for water supply. We are planning on prefiltering before it goes into the tank and filtering as it comes out.

[@tommore2388]

Maybe I missed a comment, but what is the purpose of the big hole you drilled at 11:25?

[@Spoondrifters]

That is for wiring lights under the Bimini and for the solar panel wires to transition into the engine room. Good comment.

[@latitudeash]

Well with the number of kids you both have, I would agree he is good at “getting it up”...🤣😂🤣

[@Spoondrifters]

I’ll take that as a compliment. It apparently is something we excelled at. All ten of them!

[@latitudeash]

@@Spoondrifters It is a compliment to you. Much respect to your wife. She did all the hard work. It would be nice to see all the kids in one vid (introduce them to use). I have only seen 3 or 4 at a time, (your judgest and your oldeset -we know virtually nothing about your family, and we are very interested). Is the boat going to too small? lol

[@Spoondrifters]

Lucky for us all but the last 3 are involved in their own lives.

[@michaelalbert8474]

Which episode did you have the frame fabricated? I would love to build an arch off the stern of my boat.

[@Spoondrifters]

The frame was repurposed off a boat being crushed. We made some modifications to make it fit, then after my botched welding attempts took it to a professional welder.

[@michaelalbert8474]

@@Spoondrifters Nice find, it seems to fit well ;)

[@Jeremy-km4dj]

love what you are doing. Really good work. Will you have a water maker on your sailboat?

[@Spoondrifters]

Eventually yes. We have an old one that needs membrane and runs on 120v ac. We are trying to decide if it is worth keeping as the pumps are probably not as efficient as something newer.

[@gilb5710]

Great videos and great humor. What size is the large sheet of PVC foam board and if you don’t mind how much?$$ Thinking of replacing my teetop on my center console.

[@Spoondrifters]

The sheet was 5’ by 10’ and was around 5.25 per square foot. If you can use a 4x8 the price dropped to around 4.50 per square foot. The oversized sheet is a little pricier. That was also 1/2” thick.

[@leeb8993]

Did you order this sheet or pick up local?

[@Spoondrifters]

We picked it up locally at a plastics supply shop.

[@Cleanest5thgen]

Where did you get that very large pvc board

[@Spoondrifters]

We found ours at a local plastic shop. I’ve heard you can order it from Home Depot.

[@latitudeash]

You see that's why you had the kids, they do come useful 🤣😂🤣

[@Spoondrifters]

Lol!

[@dallashallett3492]

Looks good folks but will you have difficulty seeing what your main is doing when underway. In strong winds and rough weather at sea, because its solid, it could become a problem, the ocean likes to rip things off when it gets a chance. I really don't mean to pour cold water on things your doing a wonderful job on the boat. all the best.

[@Spoondrifters]

We are planning on cutting in a window for viewing the sails. There is always a risk of things getting ripped off for sure, but it’s a worthwhile risk for the added benefits.

[@CheersWarren]

Great choice of material , the foam pvc is not a UV durable as solid 'pipe' pvc type but it will last well. Did you see Matt on GBU used the same product about a year ago so he can be your guineapig! I did not see you put any sealant around the large hole you drilled for the wiring , I hope I missed something..... nice job! Cheers Warren

[@Spoondrifters]

The large hole was sealed with butyl on the anchoring foot of the Bimini frame. I hope it is enough, but time will tell. There are a lot of wires that need to go through it so I thought it was best to have one hole vs many holes.

[@2024Trump_fan]

What happened to the white Ford pickup, and the mini van?

[@Spoondrifters]

We sold them both

[@gilb5710]

Oh And where did you buy it. Went online and they all said they only wholesale it and wouldn’t give me a price!

[@Spoondrifters]

My local plastic supply shop is Bluff Plastics in Corpus Christi Texas. Depending on where you are there should be a local shop that fabricates and sells product such as starboard, acrylics, pvc, and other plastics. They are who I would check with to start.

[@neilfuller3172]

It does look like it may foul the winch handles which will be a pain for two speed winches. Our sprayhood fouls ours and it is a real pain as you cannot keep winding in just the low speed direction. I hope there are enough bolts holding the pvc to the frame and the frame to the boat, it did not look like there many. There will be one hell of a force catching under that in 30kn+ of wind when you are leaning over. I think I may have used stainless strips running parallel over the top of the pvc with the bolts through that to spread the load. Even if you don't intend to sail in strong winds, you will be out in them regardless, even if by accident, and definitely if doing long distance sailing.

[@Spoondrifters]

The winch handles clear just fine, with room to spare. We made sure of that in the design. Enough bolts is a question for sure. We may be reinforcing that somewhat. We will have to take her out in standard wind and see what the weak links are.

[@bryrensexton4618]

👍!!!

[@Spoondrifters]

👍Thanks for watching!

[@projecttrawler]

Plz tell me what glue is that stuff

[@Spoondrifters]

It is #16 acrylic glue. Similar to this: www.amazon.com/SCIGRIP-Acrylic-Plastic-Low-VOC-Fast-Setting/dp/B08GCBW2F9

[@jameswright2481]

I’m building something similar on a much smaller scale nothing will be mounted on top. Do you think the 1/2 would be necessary or would 1/4 suffice. Trying to minimize weight

[@Spoondrifters]

If you’re not going to walk on it that should work fine.

[@mvlivinthedream9601]

Just curious how she is holding up after a few years?

[@Spoondrifters]

Looks like new!

[@3Beehivesto300]

Yes please do a follow up video on what you like and don’t like. Changes and such…

[@DavidSmith-hc2xq]

Where did you purchase the pvc sheets. I very much like the idea.

[@Spoondrifters]

We bought them from a local plastics shop. Look for a store that carries specialty plastic sheet goods. I have a link in the description for what it is.

[@markleyg]

How did you attach it to the frame?

[@Spoondrifters]

We used stainless steel carriage bolts with bed-it butyl tape.

[@davidwarnes5158]

Do you not have a vang on your main? Mast to boom ,

[@Spoondrifters]

This boat was not designed with one.

[@javierbetancourt9388]

👏🏿

[@Spoondrifters]

👍Thanks for watching!

[@svZia-Switch51]

Curious how this has held up over the past 2 years?

[@Spoondrifters]

It’s holding up great!! No trouble at all. Not chalky or anything.

[@MrChristianps3]

How it go? After 2 years ?!!!

[@Spoondrifters]

Still works and looks great!!

[@miked5563]

Trimming sails plan? Seems like you wont be able to see your main sail.

[@Spoondrifters]

We are planning to cut in a window opening, just waiting a little to locate best placement. Good call by the way.

[@jeromedaniel4983]

Name of the adhesive?

[@Spoondrifters]

amzn.to/3qTbz1Y

[@gilb5710]

Ooops Read where you got it from. Thx

[@Spoondrifters]

👍Thanks for watching!

[@tomal848]

Doing the same now :) what did u use to attach the PVC to the frame ?

[@Spoondrifters]

We through bolted it.

[@neilcampion3118]

Would it not have been easier to reverse the boat in the dock!!

[@Spoondrifters]

We aren’t sure, but it might have been. But with the mizzen mast we still would have had to got to the side of the boat.

[@SaltyEscape]

Reversing the boat in the slip wouldn't have been as fun to watch. Walking the frame down the dock had to be at least a 7.5 on the pucker scale. At least the dock isn't floating.. LOL

[@hanssolo4ever]

Looks like "Starboard".

[@Spoondrifters]

Yes it does, but it is not as dense or heavy as starboard, and cheaper.

[@pocketchange1951]

👍👌🇨🇦❤️,,

[@Spoondrifters]

👍Thanks for watching!

[@br5498]

Instead butt joints why use lap joints…. For a stronger joint ? But it’s a good idea..

[@Spoondrifters]

The shop who builds stuff from this and other plastics recommended this way.

[@br5498]

@@Spoondrifters thanks…

[@oomwat6101]

I might be tempted to run a stripe of polcarbonate down the middle so that I could see the sail from the helm ... but that's probably just me.

[@michaelalbert8474]

Perhaps cut a couple of skylights into it in key positions.

[@Spoondrifters]

There is a plan to do that. Just waiting to see what the solar panel placement does.

[@Jarek12010]

why not just use canvas on the nice skeleton you have there? SUNBRELLA is a brand name of a special marine canvas for biminis and similar applications. I don't know about the cost, but it would certainly be A LOT lighter than the 1/2" PVC. Unless you want to be safe from bricks falling from the sky ;-)

[@Spoondrifters]

You got it.

[@Spoondrifters]

The fabric is great, but because it is so large, and we have rigid solar panels we needed to be able to walk on it as well.

[@superformOG]

COMMENTS!!!!

[@Spoondrifters]

Yes! Isn’t it awesome!

[@3Beehivesto300]

Follow up video…

[@schex86]

Comments allowed?

[@Spoondrifters]

They are back on, yay! Comment away!

[@erichyney6287]

Well, if you really think about it... You do have what, about 5 kids..... You can't say you were sleeping everytime.... Just saying 🙄

[@Spoondrifters]

Hmmm, cough, Ten kids. Lots of practice.

[@normanboyes4983]

Well done on this project. I like your videos - advertisements at the beginning I watch so you get the meagre offering Google pay you - but 4 different breaks for mid roll advertising is beyond the pale and making your content unwatchable.⛵️

[@dennisbay3035]

I didn't get a lot of ads like that.. I have Chrome with Adblock, maybe that will help you. I do get more ads when I watch videos on my TV (which I do on some channels).. more power to them if they get ad revenue, I don't think they make the decision on how many ads play.

[@normanboyes4983]

@@dennisbay3035 yeah I was watching on a ‘smart TV’ however, the channel owner can select to have or not have mid roll ads. Allowing mid roll ads may actually be self defeating in terms of increasing revenue - as some viewers may choose to go elsewhere - I certainly will if it carries on.

[@Spoondrifters]

I understand. That is why we actually pay for KZbin premium, so we watch all our tube commercial free, but the individual creators still get paid. It’s a worthwhile compromise.

[@normanboyes4983]

@@Spoondrifters I totally respect your decision and wish you luck for the rest of the project. However it is no longer a channel I will follow, so I I am unsubscribing. All the best.👍

[@goodbless6094]

What thickness?

[@Spoondrifters]

We chose 1/2” as we have good support for it.

[@angelcalero6464]

Great job guys.

[@Spoondrifters]

Another check off the list!