Companion way spray hood

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ifoxwell

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I dont want a large spray hood, they get in the way of the winches when flying a kite and block the visibility forward when they are up... but i would like a cover that stops the spray and rain finding its way down the companion way.

Any one got any views on these or know of some one that makes/sells them?

Cheers

Ian
 
ifoxwell said:
... but i would like a cover that stops the spray and rain finding its way down the companion way.

Any one got any views on these or know of some one that makes/sells them?
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I had one of these made and find it an excellent way to keep rain, spray and the odd wave out of the open companionway. Visibility is not impacted and the working area is kept open and clear.

The cover can also be zipped/unzipped in a minute or two and it then folds down to almost nothing. All that's left is a simple frame, which can easily be folded flat in a forward direction and you'll quickly forget it's even there.
 
ifoxwell said:
I dont want a large spray hood, they get in the way of the winches when flying a kite and block the visibility forward when they are up... but i would like a cover that stops the spray and rain finding its way down the companion way.

Any one got any views on these or know of some one that makes/sells them?

Cheers

Ian
Click to expand...


You req a Pram hood
 
Many sailmakers or canvas workers will make one for you. You don't say where you are but it is best to get somebody local so they can measure up and discuss exactly what you want
 
This item that we had made, copied from a friend's yacht, does most of what you seem to want.

We nearly always sail with our sprayhood down as I hate not seeing where I am going, but spray does tend to go below. Also when in harbour if it is raining it is dark below with the washboards in this solves both problems.

It is very versatile, you can easily pop below to look at the chart or brew up with out the hassle of hatch and w/boards.



If it appeals and you want more detail feel free to ask.
 
Probably not what the OP wants, but while on the subject -

Been intending to make a version of a suggestion in PBO a few years back for a simple hatch/companionway cover in sprayhood window material or similar. Sheet material a little wider than the hatchway, fixed (dot connectors/ Velcro?) at the fwd of the hatchway; top part just lays horizontally over hatchway opening; thin (bamboo, say?) batten across the top of the vertical opening, and then sufficient length of material to just drop down over the companionway opening. Allows in light but keeps out most of the weather. Just lifts out of the way for access, or if conditions require hatch and washboards/doors closed.
 
I appreciate the OP's view of a "narrow" sprqayhood which just protects the companionway but as a cruising sailor I like the protection for crew and helm of a full width sprayhood despite the interference with sheets etc. Cruising and racing need seem to differ.
 
Leighb said:
This item that we had made, copied from a friend's yacht, does most of what you seem to want.

We nearly always sail with our sprayhood down as I hate not seeing where I am going, but spray does tend to go below. Also when in harbour if it is raining it is dark below with the washboards in this solves both problems.

It is very versatile, you can easily pop below to look at the chart or brew up with out the hassle of hatch and w/boards.



If it appeals and you want more detail feel free to ask.
Click to expand...

I like your "Catflap" and I think that I shall 'borrow' the idea. ;)

I also noticed your mount for the plotter (Standard Horizon?) The only thing that is keeping me from doing something similar is leaving the leads exposed to the elements. Do they live permanently outside or do you pull them inside when finished with them?
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
I also noticed your mount for the plotter (Standard Horizon?) The only thing that is keeping me from doing something similar is leaving the leads exposed to the elements. Do they live permanently outside or do you pull them inside when finished with them?
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You asked the question of someone else, but we also have a Standard Horizon plotter mounted outside (on the top rear of the coachroof adjacent to the companionway). The cable is run up through a vent and reconnected each time we are on the boat, and we have had no problems with the cables, the plugs or the plotter surviving the weather. The plotter is notionally under the sprayhood, but we have the sprayhood down most of the time underway, even when wet.
 
LittleSister said:
You asked the question of someone else, but we also have a Standard Horizon plotter mounted outside (on the top rear of the coachroof adjacent to the companionway). The cable is run up through a vent and reconnected each time we are on the boat, and we have had no problems with the cables, the plugs or the plotter surviving the weather. The plotter is notionally under the sprayhood, but we have the sprayhood down most of the time underway, even when wet.
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Thanks for explaining. While I don't have a sprayhood, it is reassuring to know that you have not had any problems, even when things get wet. I shall now think about how best to route the cabling.
 
Leighb said:
This item that we had made, copied from a friend's yacht, does most of what you seem to want.

We nearly always sail with our sprayhood down as I hate not seeing where I am going, but spray does tend to go below. Also when in harbour if it is raining it is dark below with the washboards in this solves both problems.

It is very versatile, you can easily pop below to look at the chart or brew up with out the hassle of hatch and w/boards.



If it appeals and you want more detail feel free to ask.
Click to expand...

Very nice but I was looking for something that was more like a small version of a conventional spray hood.

Thanks for the ideas though
 
LittleSister said:
Probably not what the OP wants, but while on the subject -

Been intending to make a version of a suggestion in PBO a few years back for a simple hatch/companionway cover in sprayhood window material or similar. Sheet material a little wider than the hatchway, fixed (dot connectors/ Velcro?) at the fwd of the hatchway; top part just lays horizontally over hatchway opening; thin (bamboo, say?) batten across the top of the vertical opening, and then sufficient length of material to just drop down over the companionway opening. Allows in light but keeps out most of the weather. Just lifts out of the way for access, or if conditions require hatch and washboards/doors closed.
Click to expand...

Like your thinking
 
LittleSister said:
You asked the question of someone else, but we also have a Standard Horizon plotter mounted outside (on the top rear of the coachroof adjacent to the companionway). The cable is run up through a vent and reconnected each time we are on the boat, and we have had no problems with the cables, the plugs or the plotter surviving the weather. The plotter is notionally under the sprayhood, but we have the sprayhood down most of the time underway, even when wet.
Click to expand...

We also have the cables permanently fixed. I do have some blanking plugs which I fit to the cable ends when the plotter is not fitted which helps to keep out the weather. I have noticed slight green discolouration on the contacts but it does not appear to have any ill effect.
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
I like your "Catflap" and I think that I shall 'borrow' the idea. ;)
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A further detail if you go ahead, the bottom edge has a stiffener which also adds a bit of weight. This stops it blowing about. Originally we envisaged using it with the hatch closed under it, but this is a pain when going below. However with the hatch open the cat flap tends to fall in. We solved this by fitting a flexible sail batten in it at the rear of the hatch opening.

When moored if it is absolutely p***ing down we do close the hatch as heavy rain can in time drip through, but it still gives lots of extra light below.

Incidentally it was our grand daughter who named it the "cat flap". :D
 
Leighb said:
Incidentally it was our grand daughter who named it the "cat flap". :D
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They do come up with some excellent ideas don't they? My daughter named the tender that I had made for my previous boat "Murphy". Asked why she replied "Well, from the time that you were designing her until you finished with the building and put in all the finishing touches...anything that could have gone wrong seems to have done just that!" Couldn't argue with that and so the name stuck. :)
 
Sounds like you are after something like this

dodgergobb.jpg
 
ifoxwell said:
Very nice but I was looking for something that was more like a small version of a conventional spray hood.

Thanks for the ideas though
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I used to have one like that, but found it very limiting. It did protect the companionway, but not much else - in fact it tended to funnel the wind and spray. Replaced it with a conventional full width sprayhood.
 
Leighb said:
We also have the cables permanently fixed. I do have some blanking plugs which I fit to the cable ends when the plotter is not fitted which helps to keep out the weather. I have noticed slight green discolouration on the contacts but it does not appear to have any ill effect.
Click to expand...

Our cable is not 'permanently fixed', at least not above deck. It's wired in below, and each time we use the plotter we just pass the cable up through the vent (handily adjacent to the plotter) to connect it up. When plotter not in use the cable is hanging below, plug face downwards.
 
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