Thanks a lot for the donation! Love the fact that through your SV Little Breton we have a sister-ship in Port Stephens, Australia now.

As to your question, then just before I had L’Envol built, I did some field-work and participated in the Maree Haute ships gathering event in Brittany. You can see some of the photos here, including one Django 770 with a bimini: http://www.intothewind.fr/rassemblement-maree-haute/

We will email you eight HQ images of the biminis I had briefly considered for L’Envol. In the end I took a different way – a solid hard top with a door, which is much more reliable for a waterproof life aboard as well as safer for watch keeping.

For example, during our Indian Ocean crossing and in the North Sea the wooden door had been in place most of the time – couldn’t have done without it, L’Envol was a submarine! For milder conditions or when sailing downwind in the rain we rig a fabric door that allows better ventilation and easier entry and exit.

Photo of the wooden door:
http://www.intothewind.fr/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/P9190172.jpg
Photo of the fabric door:
http://www.intothewind.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/PB273173.jpg

I wish I could help out more with alternative bimini design ideas, but unfortunately those photos is all I have got, and no first hand experience. The hard top is the solution I know and can vouch for, but then again maybe bimini is enough for your coastal sailing projects. Good luck making the right decision! One thing is sure, Django 770 is a great little ship, but even better with a proper spray protection.

Cheers and happy sailing,
Christophe