Whitby 42 Brewer Sail Boats

I am in the process of designing and building an aft mounted cockpit arch to solve a couple of issues I have found over the years. I plan to use the arch to mount a main-sheet traveler to assist in sheet and boom control when close hauled and sail trim up to a close reach. I also plan to use the arch as an aft mount for solar panels and those in turn will act as a cockpit bimini. I thought I would throw this out to the group for comments and any ideas the members may have on this project.

Check out the article in "Maintenance/Repairs/Upgrades & Additons" (link on the right hand side), click on "Cockpit Enhancements", and then my article about "Hard vs Soft" biminis. The article is complete with some photos.

We support 4 130 watt solar panels on the bimini, have 'drop down' windows all around, and have routed our main sheet from mid/aft deckhouse, to mizzen to back arch of the bimini frame. We have not installed a traveler but have solved some of those issues with padeyes on the outermost corners of the aft deckhouse where a second 'mainsheet' (preventer) can be attached to prevent 'pumping' when downwind/broad reach.