Cockpit canopy

[Babylon]

I am about to order a cockpit canopy (not a tent, not a bimini, but a fitted canopy) for our Vancouver 27 and I wonder whether anyone has any observations about them, positive or negative.

My rationale for going down this route is based on the fact that in inclement weather in harbour, we'll benefit from the extra dry space. The V27 interior isn't exactly large and there's no separate forecabin, so we often feel a bit too cooped-up all in one space. However SWMBO - in her inimitable style - now argues that a cockpit canopy will only increase the sense of claustophobia. ("Err.. no dear, I'm not going to buy a bigger boat.") There's only the three of us - me, the Mrs and the nipper.

Any thoughts?

 

[fireball]

We have a cockpit canopy and it's excellent in inclement weather. It does give you another 'reception' room and is light and airy. We do have a large cockpit though.
We use it pretty much all the time - even just at night - it keeps the cockpit free from dew and gives the early risers somewhere to go and read/drink before I drag myself out of my bunk!

Make sure you can stand up in it and that it will be easy to remove & stow.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I'm in the process of making one, albeit for a larger centre cockpit boat. Make sure you have standing headroom and check that you'll be able to fold it down without fouling anything. On mine I'll have to move the mainsheet and clip it further aft to enable the frame to fold back. There was an article in one of the mags a while ago that desacribed a tent that didn't have a fram as such, just a rear 'bar' that you made fast to the backstay then fastened/clipped down the sides, with a couple of adjustable webbing straps taken forward over the sprayhood to tighten it all up. Put windows in the sides and rear panels, all able to be rolled up. Also have a roll up door each side(could be incorporated in the windows. Walk round your local marina and check out any that are around.

 

[MoodySabre]

I have been gathering estimates for one of these too. They usually (but not exclusively) zip on to sprayhood which may need alteration.

Some firms (like C&J) just showed me a picture "that's the stock pattern for your boat and this is what it costs". A local firm will come down and find out what you want which is preferable. The enclosures I have been in are not claustrophobis - they have very large side and aft windows which can be rolled up or removed.

The issue is storage when down. You can usually get poles made to break where you want them too but everything costs extra. Some forends have one but leave their aft frame up leaning against the backstay - that would drive me mad.

Talk to a few places. Walk round the marina and look at ones you like and see who made them.

 

[swanny]

Cockpit Tent

Hi, I had my cockpit tent fitted in 2005 and never regretted it. For it to be a good fit I feel it's important though more expensive to have a new spray hood to allow them both to be perfectly matched and zipped together. There are some great alternative fabrics now to choose from so explore these before you plump for the traditional canvas. It's important also to enquire as to the qualities of window material. Mine is sufficient but I would have preferred a thicker one had I known it was available. However, I am told the thicker ones crease and crack much quicker. There are of course different weights of canvas too. I just have one extra frame apart from the spray hood which slots into two stainless steel inserts at the rear of the cockpit. The centre top of the frame hinges and allows it and the back wall of the tent to fold to aid storage. I use the cockpit tent the whole season, I always put it up each evening to aid comfort, avoid dew in the morning and to avoid the wind! I have a reflex heater in the main cabin which warms up the tent also so it is still pleasant to sit in in colder conditions. As far as standing up inside of the tent goes, I would recommend you avoid this if you can. Yes, it is great to be able to stand up everywhere on a boat and if this truly was a priority all small boats would have stupid looking tall cabin structures upon them. I have seen too many tents which have so obviously been constructed for standing but have made the boat look un-nautical and to be frank, ridiculous! It really is not a problem not to have standing room in your tent. Your cockpit is a sea going cockpit which is not huge but a perfect dimension to your boat. Fit a tent with that in mind too and you won't regret it. Don't have zipped windows but a zipped full canopy. Mine has one zip at the rear attaching itself to the rear panel and two zips at the front attaching it to the sprayhood. This allows me to roll up one or both sides leaving a roof panel for sun protection or roll up to meet in the middle leaving only a strip across the centre line, Or, take out the centre canopy completely. The back panel does also have a zip and roll up section in the middle but I don't use that sooo much. Have the sail maker sew strips of leather or reinforcing plastic patches over the areas where you think you will use the spray hood and tent to steady yourself when moving around it. This will stop you having to clean hand marks regularly. A neat trick for removing small marks is to use an ordinary drawing rubber (erasor). Choosing a lighter colour aids to the lightness inside and doesn't really add to difficulty of keeping it clean. Also they don't show fading as much over time. Try to avoid large windows that make the tent look like a green house! Keep things in proportion and you will enjoy the aesthetics and function much more. Part of the reason for my tent design is also for some privacy without the feeling of being locked inside. I have excellent views but I'm not on show. It's amazing how much you can get off canvas with one of these!!! My boat is in the Baltic and every boat bar a couple have a tent here!! It's part of the scene.

 

[V1701]

I am about to order a cockpit canopy (not a tent, not a bimini, but a fitted canopy) for our Vancouver 27 and I wonder whether anyone has any observations about them, positive or negative.

My rationale for going down this route is based on the fact that in inclement weather in harbour, we'll benefit from the extra dry space. The V27 interior isn't exactly large and there's no separate forecabin, so we often feel a bit too cooped-up all in one space. However SWMBO - in her inimitable style - now argues that a cockpit canopy will only increase the sense of claustophobia. ("Err.. no dear, I'm not going to buy a bigger boat.") There's only the three of us - me, the Mrs and the nipper.

Any thoughts?

...as you're not talking about an all enclosed cockpit tent I don't think it would feel claustrophobic. Home made if you have a decent sewing machine as well would make it not too expensive, it's what I'm thinking of settling for for the meantime having had quotes for biminis and cockpit tents from TecSew & C & J Marine recently, the prices are pretty frightening if you're on a budget. Good luck...

 

[VO5]

I am about to order a cockpit canopy (not a tent, not a bimini, but a fitted canopy) for our Vancouver 27 and I wonder whether anyone has any observations about them, positive or negative.

My rationale for going down this route is based on the fact that in inclement weather in harbour, we'll benefit from the extra dry space. The V27 interior isn't exactly large and there's no separate forecabin, so we often feel a bit too cooped-up all in one space. However SWMBO - in her inimitable style - now argues that a cockpit canopy will only increase the sense of claustophobia. ("Err.. no dear, I'm not going to buy a bigger boat.") There's only the three of us - me, the Mrs and the nipper.

Any thoughts?

I know, I know. My SWMBO also has a funnilogic of her own.

Possibly, what causes her to make the comment is the idea of being totally enclosed by canvas.

But if ample plastic windows are fitted, that may overcome the claustophobia feeling.....however....be prepared for another idea...

Curtains...or...roller blinds...or venitian blinds...or even ruched curtains...

 

[Babylon]

Thanks peeps for the supportive, understanding and - as ever - highly informative replies.