Cockpit enclosure design question

[paul]

I recently commissioned a reputable maker of cockpit enclosures to make/fit one to my Moody 36 (centre cockpit). Part of the frame design is a 9 inch track which allows the frame to slide forward/aft when in the collapsed position. The supplier has fitted the tracks on the horizontal surface of the coaming adjacent to the winches which means that when pulling the sheets into the cockpit they pass over the tracks and sliding fittings which travel along them. This seems a very illogical place to fit the tracks. Has anyone come across this before or seen otherbetter locations for the tracks?

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[steve_cronin]

Why.....

...do you assume that your undoubtedly very talented tentmaking artesan is an expert on sailing boats?

Seemingly sarcastic question in reply but when I had some dodgers made a few years back that needed slots for genoa sheets the maker said that his puzzlement at what the slots were for was solved when he came to fit them. On our current boat, had the bimini frame mountings been sighted an inch further aft, we would be able to take a complete turn on these genoa sheet winches too but being two speed they are Ok - although I rarely sail with the bimini up as it makes me seasick not being able to see a full horizon.

I think you will find that your covermaker would have expected instructions from you as to what was and was not acceptable.

No doubt there are SOME makers who do take into account the running of the boat but I suspect that most are craftsmen in acrylic canvas first and sailors second.

Steve Cronin

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