Open or hard top sports cruiser

[rubberduck]

We are considering an upgrade to a boat with more downstairs accommodation for extended time away from home in comfort. Should we go for an open top with the benefit of a permanent sun shade but the hassle of covers, or a hard top with the benefit of a push button roof but the disadvantage of possible greenhouse effect & the need for SWMBO & the boys to wear hats & factor 9000 when underway with the roof open.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

in UK I would go for a hard top blind folded...
would be interesting what length are you considering too

 

[gjgm]

either the family is very fair skinned, or you arent boating in UK if sun protection is so high on the agenda.
I think the boat needs to get to 45ft+before the roof is "open" enough; too many smaller boats seem only to have an airvent...!Personally, I cant see the point in going boating if you are going to end up "indoors", but thats just me...

 

[Observer]

In N Europe, I suggest there will be more occasions (with an open top) when the covers are off and you want them back on (think shower/unexpected rain, bigger waves causing spray over the top or just turning a bit chilly) than covers are on and you want to take them off. So my choice would be hard top with big sunroof. Of course, even with a hard-top (unless a very big one) you will still have canvas over the aft section?

I have no experience of the folding blind type sunroof. How durable are they? Are they watertight and not prone to jam?

Above from experience with a Nimbus 31 hard top (2 x manual sunroof) and a Sealine S41 (big, single piece electric roof).

 

[Nick_H]

Depends entirely on how you want to use the boat. If you plan to wait for good weather, then go to the boat while the weather holds out, i'd choose the open boat. If you want to pre-plan weekends or holidays on the boat in advance, then go for the hardtop.

 

[KevB]

I've got an open top and in the seven years and 850 engine hours I've had the the boat, I've had covers up less than a couple of dozen times whilst underway.

No brainer really. Why on earth would you want to be undercover when underway, It's a boat after all. Being out in the open is what it's all about isn't it?
Even with a sunroof on a hard top you're restricted and how stupid do the drivers look with their heads sticking out through the roof

 

[MVP]

The best thing about our 1st boat, was that we learn't what we wanted and didn't want in the 2nd boat !

Any sort of canvas cover is a pain, so they were out.

There are so few perfect weather days in the UK, we went for a hardtop, so if things turned bad, we could just go inside and close the doors.

MVP

 

[Kaste]

We had a Targa 43 which we loved, but hated all the bother with the covers for all the reasons others have stated. Did a deal to change to a Targa 44 which we love even more. Mainly due to the fact that now we go out every weekend in poorer weather and sea states, we can socialise in comfort with the roof open or closed. So far, I've not had any reason to consider "a Green house" scenario on the T44 - maybe in the Med I would, but then I'd probably have a flybridge.

If you can, go for a hardtop as you will get more use for your money.

 

[rubberduck]

Family very fair skinned, looking at around 45 ft, more fair weather boaters but plan to berth at st katherine's in winter & use boat as a floating apartment while we go to shows etc. Will have boat in Essex during the summer for fun cruising etc. Some interesting answers so far!

 

[DavidJ]

I'm in the Med and yes covers are a pain. If I think it's going to rain at night it's a whole five minute job putting the covers on. I always leave the top (bimini type) cover on which gives important shade. The hard tops with the hatch open let direct sunlight straight on top of your head and give little through draft when underway. Together with the confined space making it noisier I really can't see the point. However when it's pouring down with rain the hardtops come into their own....but that's not why I go boating

 

[AdeOlly]

We've too been looking for our next boat, for about 12 months now. With the vagaries of the UK weather there's no way I'm going back to an open top. With our current HT boat if the weather's a bit iffy roof is open but can sit out of the wind and spray, or duck out of it easily. Standing gives the full wind and salt in the face experience The cockpit is well protected from wind and spray underway, even with all the cockpit covers off, which keeps SWMBO happy. When at anchor the cockpit is still very open, just some loss of sunshine from the HT. The rear sections of cover take very little time to put up.

I think that Sealine's setup as on SC35/47 is one of the best. The fabric roof lets you open up most of the boat and it doesn't reflect the sound back. One point to be aware of is that some of the sliding glass roof panels rattle and bang about in their runners when open, so I'm told. If SWMBO would let me I'd sign up for an SC35 or SC38 at SIBS next month; but she wants another bedroom and bathroom building instead

 

[Nick_H]

Yep, I just don't get why hardtops are so popular in the med. As you say, with the roof open they have high sides which reduce the airflow through the boat, but no sun shade, which is exactly the opposite of what you need! I do think hardtops make loads of sense in the UK though, as the high sides protect family and guests from the cooler wind, and it's seldom so hot that you need sun shade. On a nice day it's still better to have an open boat for sure, but for regular use in the UK a hardtop is a good option IMO.

 

[PEJ]

If SWMBO would let me I'd sign up for an SC35 or SC38 at SIBS next month;

I've just taken delivery of an SC38 so I would agree with AdeOlly. I was fed up with canvas and getting wet in anything over a F3. Miss the old wind in the face a bit but over all with the excellent light in the cabin from the massive window above and the ease of the sliding roof I would advice you to have a good look at it.

 

[Moonshiners]

Were much smaller that you, but have a hard top (something along the lines of a mini Nimbus/Aquador) have had sailing boats and open sports boats, but having a true cabin (with large sunroof) really solves our problems, but then we use it year round, the only thing that really stops us is wind/chop... but then we live 10 mins from our mooring...

 

[KevB]

Hard top guys and gals - When underway has your roof been mostly open or closed when underway throughout a whole year.

Me personally have only had to keep covers up twice so far this year, all other times been boating how it should be done.... in the open.

IMHO I can have the best of both worlds - the cover up if I need to or totally open. Of course I may have to spend five minutes taking off or putting on the covers once a day but that's a small price to pay for the openness.

Hard tops on the other hand are either closed or nearly closed.


Horses for courses I suppose

 

[AdeOlly]

Hard top guys and gals - When underway has your roof been mostly open or closed when underway throughout a whole year.

Me personally have only had to keep covers up twice so far this year, all other times been boating how it should be done.... in the open.

IMHO I can have the best of both worlds - the cover up if I need to or totally open. Of course I may have to spend five minutes taking off or putting on the covers once a day but that's a small price to pay for the openness.

Hard tops on the other hand are either closed or nearly closed.

Mostly open; but that's half the story. The HT, at least on my boat, gives me the best of both worlds. If I couldn't stick my head out the top, regardless of how silly it may or my not look, I'd be less enthusiastic. Imagine the scene.. we are be bowling along the Solent at 25 knots heading east, wind in my hair, not in SWMBOs as she's picked a sheltered pew behind the HT support, and we exit the Solent through the Forts. As is often the case the sea state worsens a bit we hit some chop and start sending spray flying. I simply duck at the appropriate second to avoid a soaking, SWMBO stays dry, which is, trust me, a good thing, and my little boy gets a face full as he's invariably right on the stbd quarter and loves it. Seems perfect to me.... Incidentally, this scenario happens about 50% of the trips we make. Most recently this Wednesday.

I like to fish, (bagged a nice Bass in Alum Bay this week ) and going out in December in an open boat does not hold much appeal. In the HT with the roof shut, heating on and sheltered from the cold wind it's much more enjoyable.

Not saying there's anything wrong with open boats; I enjoyed the two I've had enormously, but we find the HT much more usable. Yes, an HT may be closed or nearly closed, but that's only the helm and navigator seats; the cockpit, at least on my boat, is basically open.

So yes, horses for courses, but as our courses are in UK weather, I'll have the HT