Cockpit Canopy and Enclosure

[stevewitt1]

Hello All:

I'm considering the addition of a cockpit enclosure/canopy this season. 

Does anyone out there have any photos of examples of good designs and what to consider; what to avoid?

Any help would be appreciated.

Steve

visit us at www.ocontoyachtclub.com

[sailaway]

Steve my full cockpit encloses is free staying. It does not use any of the cockpit stations . We have made screens as well as glass. It connects to the dodger.  Charlie

[Brent Evans]

Here are a couple of photos of Tranquility in the rainy Northwest.  This bimini and connector (to the dodger) and the side curtains were made by Randy's Boat Tops out of Olympia, Washington.  Randy does a nice job and is competitively priced.  There are 2 sections on each side and 3 small sections across the stern.  All zip off, roll up and stow without too much fuss during the summer months and can be used in any combination.  We love the protection during the winter and shoulder months when we pretty much function as a motor boat anyway and the enclosed cockpit allows us to comfortably use the boat all year 'round and that's a good thing!  When sailing in bad weather I can leave the forward-most side panels on and still see pretty well . . .and the Admiral and friends stay warm and dry.

[mark_53]

Brent:

Looks like you have a sail pack also.  How do you like it and was it made by Randy's also?

Mark

[Phil Spicer]

  Steve: One question our builder asked was " do you want to look over or through the dodger when you dock?"  We keep the front wind screen rolled up most of the time so vision is not an issue , but my wife runs the boat in and out of the dock and wanted to look over the dodger. That makes you duck a little to go below. We made a phifertex connector so we can see better but still keep out the direct sun....something to think about.

[Stu Jackson]

Phil makes a very good point.  If you do a simple search on "dodger height" (include the " marks), the first two results have some other good pictures.

Your boat, your choice.

[Andrew Harvey]

Steve,
We used "Strataglass" on the front panel of the dodger. It is remarkably clear for good visibility through the dodger. We have had ours for about 8 years now and it still is as good as new, you can't roll it up though ..has to stay flat,and of course avoid scratches.
We have 2 Zippers so that we can lift and suspend the glass under the dodger and put a screen in for those hot days.
I would also recommend the grab handles on the side.

[Phil Spicer]

  Steve: Another thought. I am only 5'-9 and I do not clear the boom on our boat. So I had a 12" wedge taken out of the main. That took the back of the boom up so it would clear a 6'-1" high bimini. The goose neck was not moved, just bends up a degree or 2.
   Think about extending the bimini out the stern about 15" or 18" or more to help keep the driver in the shade when the sun is behind the boat. 
   ALWAYS put a towel on the window when you roll it up. Plastic against plastic will scratch and shorten the life of your windows.
   You will really like sailing in the shade, hope your project goes well.

[Brent Evans]

To answer your question, Mark:  I made the sailpack myself from a Sailrite kit.  Works well.

[Footloose]

Brent

What do you use for a ladder to get on to your swim platform.  Engineering a new ladder had kept me from making that upgrade.

[patrice]

Brent

What do you use for a ladder to get on to your swim platform.  Engineering a new ladder had kept me from making that upgrade.

Hi,
This is the one I used on mine last year.
Mount under the platform.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1750422902022290203&id=1855125

Brent, you did a nive job on your enclosure

[Ken Juul]

My canvas guy suggested that instead of a full enclosure, do a 3/4.  Instead of windows on the back we have sun reflective screening down to the top rail, it is supposed to reflect 90% of the sun.  There is so much stuff on my stern.....plastic would soon be scratched.  Not quite as warm, but works for the way we use our boat.  Ask your canvas guy, they are usually full of great suggestions.  It is there job.

[lazybone]

I've never had or sailed on a sailboat with a full enclosure.

I'm wondering what the actual sails-up, sailing experience is like?

[Noah]

Wow...this talk and pics of enclosures makes me REALLY love sailing in San Diego! I am "this close" to removing my dodger because it's too confining and ruins my chi and commune with nature! Forget the fact that at least once a day, I bonk my head going down the companionway. I just had a foam pad/patch topped with bright red vinyl sewn on to remind me it's a hazard and to hopefully soften the blow, but with a ball cap on I don't see it before... whamo and "?@"#%!"

[Fred Koehlmann]

Hi Steve,

We just had our dodger and bimini replaced last year as part of the cockpit enclosure purchase. The existing dodger and bimini, while old, were still in workable condition, but if we would have had to replace them, then would also have had to replace the walls at that time, since they can't cut bimini/dodger to the walls, but they can the other way around. Either way we also wanted some changes to the frame for the bimini and dodger, so it worked out for us to get it all new.

We had a great season with it. Early and late in the year we were able to stay warmer outside in the cockpit. On those long rainy days we weren't squeeze inside with the kids; more room to move about (almost 30% more room). I still remember a stretch of three raining days on the hook among the 30,000 islands, where we had the back wall up and just watched the rain come down. It didn't keep the mosquitos out as well as I had hoped; there are plenty of little places for those critters to get in, but it would have been worse without it.

All in all it extended our season last year and we pretty happy with it. Let me know if you want to know anything more. I've got more detailed photos as well.