26X Main sheet placement

[Sparksvonrou]

We are still sorting out things on our newly aquired 1996 26X. Today we sorted out things in the cabin and tested the motor. As info we bought this from a camper dealer and he admitted he knew nothing about sailing. So our adventure starts with us learning from scratch!
My previous boat, a 24' Shark, had a different layout for the main sheet with a cross cockpit traveler. It worked superbly!
Now I am at a loss with this boat. First it has a nice bimini that we didnt have the luxury of with the Shark. But what the devil! How can we use the bimini and have the main sheet attached to the top of the grab rail on the pulpit? I spent a couple hours looking at what little I could find here about sheet placement and travelers. I just dont get it, am I missing something. It makes no sense to have to have the bimini folded up to sail. Maybe I can have a better idea in 2 days when I actually get to put her in the water. Perhaps it is mid boom sheeted and the attachment comes under the forward end of the bimini? There are two forward and aft tracks on port and starboard sides about mid cockpit on the rails. I first thought these were genoa traveler tracks but maybe they are supposed to be, naw, would make no sense to have fore and aft travel on the main sheet. So if anyone can post some pictures of how they deal with the sheet attachment with the bimini, we sure would be grateful. I am still looking for a used wheelpilot too!
Thanks
Sparks

[mastreb]

The mainsheet attaches to the grab rail as you suspect. The Bimini is a3rd party accessory the previous owner added that apparently can't be folded all the way out under sail. Perhaps they motored all the time or only used the Bimini in port.

[Ivan Awfulitch]

With may bimini installations, you must move the boom bail forward (about 12-18 inches) to sail with the top up. Try putting the top up, hook the sheet to the pulpit, and move the other end forward a foot or two and see if it'll clear.

[Tomfoolery]

Unless your is different from every other one I've seen, including mine, the main sheet lower block attaches to the helm pedestal. In fact, I just ordered a helm guard, which also has a main sheet attachment point, higher than the OEM strap eye that's on the pedestal.

[Herschel]

I'll just add that my boom has two bails one at the end of the boom and one in a more forward position so that the bimini can be used under sail. It was like that when I bought it 8 years ago from the PO. The PO had also purchased a complete cockpit enclosure and dodger which makes the camping aboard very nice. When the whole enclosure is rigged, I attach the main sheet to the outboard side stanchion/pulpit so that the dodger and and the bimini can be completely connected. It works very nicely that way.