Bimini top struts - lean forward or aft?

[steved]

I notice that lots of boats have the bimini rigged with a rigid strut that keeps it up and out of the way (kind of like a roll bar) when it is closed, as opposed to having it on the rail. Some people have it rigged so that the bimini leans forward and some so that it leans back. Any opinions on which makes more sense? Let's assume that in both cases it can be rigged high enough to walk under with no problems.

[steved]

Just to follow up on my own post - I got a reply on the same question from a manufacturer suggesting that it would be best to have to bimini leaning aft. His reasoning was that in the forward position the movement of the boat through the waves would put a lot of stress on the mounting brackets.

Make sense?

[Radioshop]

The good thing about it leaning forward is; when it's not in use, it's further away from the back of the boat, where most activities take place.  Just a thought.

[steved]

You have a point, there radioshop. Maybe the deal is to put it leaning forward and make sure the fittings are good.  The angle you make between the strut and the boat (which can obviously be influenced by the length of the strut and where you mount it on the Bimini and where you mount it on the boat) probably makes the difference in this. I'll have to give it some thought.