50-50 on whether to add Sprayhood to my boat

[johnalison]

The biggest down side, in my opinion and expereince, is the blocking the view to the leeward bow. Some boats become dangerous, because the helmsman does not keep a watch. Windows help, but not 100%. Keep an eye.

Other than that, all good.

Unfortunately, the most functional ones are those with a glazed windscreen, like HRs and several others, where visibility is less compromised. On mine there is a small blind sector, and the glass can occasionally mist over in early morning humidity, but the glass is generally clear enough even for binoculars. Such screens are really only desirable when included in the original design, but providing some shelter is generally appreciated by the crew, if nothing else. They also make a good starting-point for a cockpit tent, which can be a real joy in indifferent weather.

 

[Bouba]

Think how good it would look in red

 

[Fr J Hackett]

The only downside I see to it is with it being low due to boom hight then it might make entering the yacht difficult when in place. If you think you can easily and quickly get in and out do it.

 

[Boathook]

@Refueler I would get one. If it is easily removable take it off when racing. I would bear in mind @Fr J Hackett comment about enough to get below easily. It might mean making the aft frame strong enough to help you get in and out.

 

[Refueler]

On my 25ft'r ... because of hood and engine box - its best to enter 'arse' first - so many people when first on that boat try to enter frontway first and then find themselves having to turn round !!

The 38ft'r is an easy entry now - hopefully a hood will not alter that too much ...

I will be discussing with the 'yard' about it .... I know they - similar to my crew - like the uncluttered and racey form of the boat ... she looks fast even when moored !

 

[Seamonk]

None of my previous boats had a sprayhood. I always thought they should just be attached to your jacket. But now I’m in my 60’s and my new sailboat has a big fancy sprayhood called a pilot house.

 

[[194497]]

I think the biggest advantage is just being able to leave the hatch open when there's a bit of rain, especially when at anchor.

 

[Rappey]

Great for shelter when at anchor sat in the cockpit. Great for keeping a cold wind or rain or sea at bay. I hate having it up underway as its never nice looking through those clear pvc windows. Get around 5 years from the windows before they need replacing which is quite easy if you have a sewing machine.

 

[Bouba]

Great for shelter when at anchor sat in the cockpit. Great for keeping a cold wind or rain or sea at bay. I hate having it up underway as its never nice looking through those clear pvc windows. Get around 5 years from the windows before they need replacing which is quite easy if you have a sewing machine.

I love this post.......a yottie claiming to look where they are going

 

[Cerebus]

The Conqubin 38cr I have - primarily a race boat - has no Sprayhood ... but it has the 'breakwater' ridge on cabin top where Sprayhood would fasten to, along with hatch garage.

I note that the few Conq 38's you see for sale - all but one I see have Sprayhoods ....

My usual 'crew' says not needed ... but I'm 50-50 .....

The boom is quite low on her - set to LYS / OR Rule (mast is marked) ... so the 'hood' would not be a high one as seen on most cruise boats ..

If I go for it - would mean frame as well as material ... £ 's .... quite a few of them !

Good looking boat. Spray hood would have to be red presumably? Would that add to cost?

You will make your own mind up and you are only asking for opinions.

I don’t have an opinion applicable to your specific boat. On cruisers I like them a lot.

Do you mind getting wet when racing?

If not and if it will hinder racing then perhaps not needed.

Do you mind spending the extra money?

Will it change the aesthetics in a way you do not like?

Can you see yourself using it up and using it down? Or would it remain down a lot?

 

[Refueler]

Good looking boat. Spray hood would have to be red presumably? Would that add to cost?

[/QUOTE]

I have choice of White .. Black ... Grey .... Red ... and light or dark blue. All same price.

You will make your own mind up and you are only asking for opinions.

I don’t have an opinion applicable to your specific boat. On cruisers I like them a lot.

[/QUOTE]

I too like them on cruisers - I paid out last year to replace on my motor sailer.

Do you mind getting wet when racing?

If not and if it will hinder racing then perhaps not needed.

[/QUOTE]

We had great plans for racing her - but health issues for myself and main crewmember has made us re-evaluate. We both suffer back injuries which are now leading to back pain. Idea now is to enter only 'invitation' events and not series racing.
Getting wet - no I don't ... but it all depends on what's going on at the time.

Do you mind spending the extra money?

Will it change the aesthetics in a way you do not like?

Can you see yourself using it up and using it down? Or would it remain down a lot?

Money's not an issue ... in fact it will add to the boats value as I know many people will walk away from a boat without a 'hood' or will try reduce the price to buy the boat ...
The look of the boat ? I look at adverts for the other Conq38's with 'hoods' and they look fine.
Up or down ? most likely - 'hood' will spend vast majority of its life UP ... as most sailing will be cruising.

My discussions with maker will be not only to make the 'hood and frames' ... but also design features. My Motor sailer has the typical 'hood' that comes back quite a way from the companionway with only shallow angle from vertical to cockpit sides. Maybe for the Conq38 - the 'hood' will not come back so far - and have a greater angle of sides to cockpit ...

Superanne with minimal angle down to cockpit coaming :

For C38 .. I would consider a shorter top section and a greater angle to cockpit coaming :

Compared to the SR25 :



Imposed on profile of C38 :

 

[capnsensible]

If you have a sprayhood, you can fold it down when you feel like it. But you can't put it up when it would make you more comfortable if you don't have one....

 

[Refueler]

If you have a sprayhood, you can fold it down when you feel like it. But you can't put it up when it would make you more comfortable if you don't have one....

same as the Insurance saying :

Good to have and not need it

Not good to need and not have it ..

 

[dgadee]

I just made one. Hard to see it is not professional. Followed Sailrite videos. Saved £1500 though I did buy an industrial sewing machine (which retains value)

 

[Refueler]

I just made one. Hard to see it is not professional. Followed Sailrite videos. Saved £1500 though I did buy an industrial sewing machine (which retains value)

I have seen kits on the market and nearly used one myself on the 25, which just needed replacement of the 'canvas' ... but opted out !

The 38 - which is basis of the thread - has no framing ... its a complete zero to 100% job - so I think well out of my league !

 

[doug748]

I'm fairly laid back, only have two precepts in sailing:

i) You must use locking turns on yacht cleats

ii) A sprayhood is the single most useful addition to an otherwise well found small yacht.



You can buy a well used cover with an excellent frame, often very cheaply:

Loading advert... | Preloved

The frames cost a fortune all you need is two brackets off Ebay 10 quid and you are half way there. Even the most odd covers can be adapted with "press the dot" fittings - a new bespoke cover can come later if required.


.

 

[dgadee]

I have seen kits on the market and nearly used one myself on the 25, which just needed replacement of the 'canvas' ... but opted out !

The 38 - which is basis of the thread - has no framing ... its a complete zero to 100% job - so I think well out of my league !

I admit to doing some work pre sprayhood. Did upholstery and a cockpit rain cover using an old, good quality small machine. That built the confidence. The industrial machine was a pleasure to use on the sprayhood. 11m boat, so took up the (sanded) floor to layout at home.

I used to get ss bent but bought a Vevor bender so next winter the project is changing Fulmar sprayhood ss and making a cockpit tent with full support.

On the other retirement thread I said I had no TV. I have time.

Sailrite videos are long but brill. Nothing is missed out.

 

[seumask]

I admit to doing some work pre sprayhood. Did upholstery and a cockpit rain cover using an old, good quality small machine. That built the confidence. The industrial machine was a pleasure to use on the sprayhood. 11m boat, so took up the (sanded) floor to layout at home.

I used to get ss bent but bought a Vevor bender so next winter the project is changing Fulmar sprayhood ss and making a cockpit tent with full support.

On the other retirement thread I said I had no TV. I have time.

Sailrite videos are long but brill. Nothing is missed out.

Definatley add a spray hood. I confess to enjoying making our srayhood replacement canvas 8 years ago for our Fulmar with much guidance from the sailrite video's. I have now done the same for our SO 37 and have added a Bimini and cockpit tent doing all the frame work for the Bimini my self with 1" stainless steel and a hired pipe bender. Time consuiming ( est 100 hrs all together) but all quite possible / easy.

 

[Lightwave395]

I'd love a sprayhood on my boat, unfortunately it is my ex-raceboat with a longish bridge deck, the mainsheet track across the front of it and a relatively low boom. The only practical and aesthetically acceptable option is a small one over the companionway opening which is of little use if spray is flying across the cockpit. I've only seen one other Lightwave with a 'proper' full size sprayhood and IMHO it looked really ungainly if not ugly...

 

[Refueler]

Boat next to mine - is a Contrast 36 .... very similar design ... and the sprayhood is near what I think I could have.