Hardtop or canopy and goal post mast?

[PCUK]

Just been watching the film of Busy Bee out playing and it's made me think about whether to build a half wheelhouse or have a goal post mast and separate canopies fore and aft. The boat is having a total rebuild so the choice can be either at the moment. Do we have enough good weather to justify an open cockpit or should I go with my first thought of having a solid wheelhouse forward and a canopy aft? What does the team think? Thanks,
PC

 

[dustywings]

I think the answer to this is going to depend on the use you put your boat to. For winter boating then a wheelhouse is going to win hands down but if, like me, you do your boating in the summer only then you cant beat the wind in your hair! Just have a decent canopy for those days where you do have to cope with a bit of weather. My boat was designed for Med use really but due to the way we choose use our boat it really hasn't been a problem having a large open area.

 

[burgundyben]

We're an open cockpit boat, Solent based.

This year for the first time we have an all over cockpit canopy, spray hood up front and hoops at the back. We've spent 26 nights onboard so far this year, canopy has made a huge difference, extended the season a great deal.

Its hardly been down, draw you conclusion from that.

Do I think a hard top would be any better? Probly not.

 

[wipe_out]

We just had the same debate when deciding on the new boat.. We had an open boat at the time.. In the end we decided that the enclosed option was the way to go to extend the boating season (possibly even use the boat all year).. Also means we don't have the hassle of canopies which technically, I've been told, you shouldn't have up when cruising (although I know most do).. The tag line that seemed to come out of it when I looked at open boats was "We don't live in Florida" which I couldn't really argue with..

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Being a wimp I would definitely be inclined to go for the hardtop but ensure there are some hatches in it or better some kind of sunroof for those occasional days when you want to interface with the elements. You might also have to think about demisters for the windscreen as it may mist up more easily under a hardtop

 

[PCUK]

Being a wimp I would definitely be inclined to go for the hardtop but ensure there are some hatches in it or better some kind of sunroof for those occasional days when you want to interface with the elements. You might also have to think about demisters for the windscreen as it may mist up more easily under a hardtop

Now that sounds like a good compromise! Perhaps a sliding partition sunroof. I'll give that some thought. Thanks for all the other input so far. I think it's going to be a hard top of some sort as per original idea.