How to drive an open sportsboat in heavy rain?

Y

yacht

Active Member
Joined
27 Feb 2013
Messages
53
Location
London
Visit site
Bought a Fairline T34 2003 from Spain, after years in the sun the bimini front window has to be replaced. The thing is sometimes I drive my boat in rainy conditions and need to keep the bimini closed, the window is really small on this model so would need the bimini front window to keep its look-through feature also during pouring rain which is a challenge as obviously it doesn't have windshield wipers and it fogs as well..

How do you guys drive your Fairline Targas or any other "day" "sport" cruisers (i use mine overnight as well) in rainy conditions, with head out of the zipper or just looking through the tiny tinted windshield??

Btw. what is the difference between a sportscruiser and daycruiser?
 
Whitelighter said:
Ski goggles and a good hat/gloves

Never with the covers up. No matter how good your screen normal destitution and rain you can't wipe mean there isn't nearly enough vis
Click to expand...

Never thought of ski goggles! ;)

Usually put up with the rain as I have no window - you do get a bit weather beaten, but adds to the experience and I wouldn't deliberately head out in a storm. Also tend to slow down a bit as the rain starts to sting when you go quicker... :rolleyes:
 
rbcoomer;4375182 Also tend to slow down a bit as the rain starts to sting when you go quicker... :rolleyes:[/QUOTE said:
Hence the reason for ski goggles. They also keep your face warm when winter boating. Much cheaper than buying a geko helmet. But buy either clear or yellow lens' as the blue of grey/brown cuts down the light.
Click to expand...
 
If you can't drive your sportscruiser with the covers up, it's a design problem, i.e. you didn't buy a Sealine :), where the screens and wipers are actually big enough to be able to see where you are going.

If you have a tiny windscreen, the only solution is wet weather gear and a decent hat.
 
No problem being at the helm in rain with the Cranchi Smeraldo and the wiper doing its thing. However, this wasn't possible with the Zaffiro, so i'm guessing much different windscreen angles
 
yacht said:
Btw. what is the difference between a sportscruiser and daycruiser?
Click to expand...
None. Neither are good at proper cruising, in fact... :)
A decent way of cruising with an open boat in heavy rain simply doesn't exist, 'cause they are aimed at glorious weather by design.
In an emergency, you can survive as has already been suggested, of course.
But if you were already planning all weather cruising when you bought your T34, frankly speaking I'm afraid you made a wrong choice...
 
A motorcycle crashhelmet will earn you some strange looks but will be toasty warm and dry, and as you don't need the crash protection you can buy a cheapo one.
 
How to do it, picture courtesy of David at 5starmarine

phoca_thumb_l_imgp0365.jpg
 
yacht said:
Bought a Fairline T34 2003 from Spain, after years in the sun the bimini front window has to be replaced. The thing is sometimes I drive my boat in rainy conditions and need to keep the bimini closed, the window is really small on this model so would need the bimini front window to keep its look-through feature also during pouring rain which is a challenge as obviously it doesn't have windshield wipers and it fogs as well..

How do you guys drive your Fairline Targas or any other "day" "sport" cruisers (i use mine overnight as well) in rainy conditions, with head out of the zipper or just looking through the tiny tinted windshield??

Btw. what is the difference between a sportscruiser and daycruiser?
Click to expand...



We have a Targa 34 and regularly drive with the covers up, we do have windscreen wipes on the glass windscreen and when sat down you can see fine through the windscreen to drive. If standing up and looking through the flexible canopy screen it is fine provided you keep it clean of dirt before you set out, the rain just rolls off. With one or more of the rear canopy sections open we do not suffer from misting up. Our covers are replacements made by JB Yacht Services and have much bigger window area than the factory standard plus the has the zips configured so you can open it slightly at the top right hand corner in front of the helm for ventilation and issuing instructions to the crew on the foredeck.
 
Great pic!!:)

I think i will fix my bimini cover and change the biminis front window, as prefer the shelter when it is pouring and driving 30kts as I normally have my wife and kid onboard and they prefer to be dry.. the thing with my windshield is that it has a quite dark tint coming from Mallorca, thus not great visibility in rainy conditions

mlines said:
How to do it, picture courtesy of David at 5starmarine

phoca_thumb_l_imgp0365.jpg
Click to expand...
 
yacht said:
Great pic!!:)

I think i will fix my bimini cover and change the biminis front window, as prefer the shelter when it is pouring and driving 30kts as I normally have my wife and kid onboard and they prefer to be dry.. the thing with my windshield is that it has a quite dark tint coming from Mallorca, thus not great visibility in rainy conditions
Click to expand...

Just buy a fly bridge and get the best of both worlds. Get wet through on the bridge, then dry out in the warmth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top