Cockpit enclosure ?

Crowblack

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Cogitating on investing in an enclosure - new one - sort of thing you see zipped to back of existing sprayhood with roll up windows to side and stern, stainless steel frame with extra hoop to support middle of enclosure.

Would like it to roll up around the frame and fasten frame to backstay instead of having to dismantle and stow.

Realise there's differing quality of makers but what's a ball park figure for an enclosure these days ?
 
Thanks to both for responses.

Guessed at around £16/1700 for a 32 footer (boat that is) as had a £1200 quote a year ago for a 26 footer - had first quote now for £1900 so looks like it's in the ball park.

I'd considered a Habitent and came to the conclusion I would always regret the way it looks when I row away from the boat plus finding yet another thing to stow away - the one I want will live rolled up against the backstay.

As I'm going to keep this boat a while also thought over the life of a dedicated enclosure I might be buying two or three of the cheaper options plus the looks and the ease of use sort of guides me towards spending on a fitted enclosure.

As me old Mum used to say "the quality is remembered long after the the price is forgot"

Ho Hum - it's only money - thanks again.
 
The ball park figures mentioned are about right and should include the steels you will need to support the tent. We had one made last season and its brilliant, giving a whole extra room. The sides and back roll up or zip off completely leaving a sort of bimini for sailing on hot days. Just don't get one that's designed to look like a pope mobile!
 
Mine is nearly 5 years old now and the best investment on the boat. Cost £1600 including fitting on a Moody 33 centre cockpit. Spray hood was already in place and the price included removing it and fitting a zip to join to the enclosure
 
In terms of utility gained for £ spent there's not much to beat a decent cockpit enclosure, at least when sailing in UK waters. We wouldn't be without ours in poor weather, it massively improves living conditions aboard.
 
Just do it.

If I think about what ours cost compared to the value of the boat, I cringe, but if I think about what it cost compared to the value we get out of it, it's worth every penny.

I would like to figure out how to have it up when sailing in the rain, though. It's OK-ish in open waters when there aren't too many other boats around, but we got caught in a heavy squall going into Chichester harbour last year and we just couldn't see well enough, so had to take it down just when we needed it the most. I might end up building a doghouse to fit it too, so we can have a proper windscreen instead of the rather tired sprayhood windows.
 
I've recently had a quote from tescew.com for a 10m boat
Cockpit enclosure with frameworks and zip out sides and rear panels is £1,894.13 + vat, this can not be used while sailing.
Bimini only £1,595.00 + vat, this can be left up while sailing.
Bimini conversion, this is in addition to the bimini to convert it to a full cockpit enclosure. £1,950 + vat (so £1595+££1950 if you don't have a bimini), this enables you to leave the bimini up while sailing then zip in the panels when in port.
If you email ally@tescew they may well have your boat in the system and be able to quote by return.
 
I've recently had a quote from tescew.com for a 10m boat
Cockpit enclosure with frameworks and zip out sides and rear panels is £1,894.13 + vat, this can not be used while sailing.
Bimini only £1,595.00 + vat, this can be left up while sailing.
Bimini conversion, this is in addition to the bimini to convert it to a full cockpit enclosure. £1,950 + vat (so £1595+££1950 if you don't have a bimini), this enables you to leave the bimini up while sailing then zip in the panels when in port.
If you email ally@tescew they may well have your boat in the system and be able to quote by return.

To me the price for the whole enclosure seems about right, the price for the bimini only seems a bit steep & (if I've read it right) the price for the whole enclosure that also can convert to bimini seems very steep...
 
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