Beyond Canvas Inc., Point Roberts, Wash.

This project, which won an Outstanding Achievement Award in the unique and different category of the 2008 MFA Awards, included a retractable bimini for the flybridge that accommodates a radar mast. The customers wanted the bimini to go aft of the radar mast. The Beyond Canvas Inc. design allows the front portion of the frame to retract using a pair of Gemlock hinges. Rigging the frame for the correct tightness was difficult, as a truly tight bimini made it impossible to release the hinges. Height was restricted by a “wing” on the radar mast, and Beyond Canvas had to add a strap to hold the fabric tight to prevent pooling.