T&T: Bimini Fabric

[captiva at att.net]

Hi List,

I've been following the Bimini fabric thread with interest.  I'm planning on a new Bimini next spring, but can't decide on the material I'm going to use.  I have a 1986 sailboat that has an original Forrest Green Sumbrella sail cover on it and it's still good to this day.  I have had to have the seams re-sewn a couple of times.   Annually I have put the sail cover in the washing machine, then the dryer and then sprayed it with waterproofing spray.  That's my experience with Sumbrella.  The Bimini on this same boat has been replaced once over the years.  It was made of the typical vynal that some Bimini's are made of and also has had to had the seams re-sewn a couple of times.

I'm a little concerned that the Sumbrella will be hotter under the Bimini than will be the current vynal that is white on top and colored on the bottom.  I like the look of the Sumbrella, but sure don't want to heat things up. I know that my privacy curtains that are constructed of the green Sumbrella fabric are noticeably hot when the sun shines on them.  Has anyone had both types and have a preference of one over the other because of the heat under the Bimini?  

Don Coleman
MV Mi Boudreaux
Bristol Offshore 42
Lake Guntersville, Alabama