Opinions sought on cockpit enclosures

[Beneteau381]

I am considering having a cockpit enclosure, made by TecSew, fitted to my Najad 331.
I am 1.8m tall and there is a clear advantage in having one that has full head room inside. However, I can foresee a number of disadvantages with this:

1. Increased windage;
2. The change in height from the spray hood to the cockpit enclosure creates a design that is not aesthetically pleasing.

I would value the opinions from any of you who have an enclosure that is not full height. Do you find the lack of head room to be a hinderance, would you prefer one with full head room ?
Many thanks
Chris

I had ours made to give me 5' 11' head clearance, we sailed it to Portugal with it up, across Biscay it was dead cozy! It is not an issue parkingit or sailing it. I stand on the rear cockpit seats in harbour to lookoverthe top.

 

[ashtead]

On our last boat a Bav34 we had I tent which was same height of spray hood and had fixed sides -you could stand up but only at 5ft 8ish. Another Bav we knew with a tall owner had a raised tent so it went up behind boom -not that pretty but it worked. We never found our Bav tent a problem but we never attempted sailed etc with it up.
Going to Tecsew on our Moody41 we went for tent with detachable sides so you can sail ‘motor etc with side panels removed and also take out the panel between the spray hood bar and front bar of the tent top. If neededed you can also have zip in mesh sides to keep out insects etc . We are that much higher now and have sailed through the Channel Islands with the top up. It can be a little daunting if berthing in an unknown marina with it up but can just be dropped black for that. The great advantage of removal panel is you can just put one in to face prevailing wind or rain leaving other sides open and any smoke from the Cobb barbecue can escape. I would certainly advocate a tent even if not using for sailing but maybe the alternative is to have a zip down panel off the back of the spray hood- you might look at utube of sailing Ran as an idea from another Najad which has a certain appeal for being able to sail on auto helm with a degree of protection.

 

[LittleSister]

I have a cockpit enclosure on my LM27. It's a standard fitment. (Its smaller sister, the LM24, the earlier LM23, and the later LM26, 28, 30 and 32 have similar canopies.)

On the LM27 there's not quite full standing headroom (about 5' 6"?), but I can walk around with head ducked (I'm 6'1"). The canopy is a real boon, giving an extra 'room' on the boat, and I haven't particularly noticed the lack of full standing headroom to be a problem, but it would be a 'nice to have'.

On the LMs the space is made even more usable by the tiller being quickly removable, and a table that folds out from the rear of the cockpit to fill half or the whole of the cockpit.

The boat can be motored with the canopy up, and it is possible, but a bit restricting, to sail with it up.

The canopy and its frame folds away forward and clips out of the way onto the rear of the wheelhouse, so it's very quick to put up and down. Such an arrangement would be difficult to achieve on a conventional yacht, and so do not forget to consider where you would put the canopy (and frame) when not in use (bearing in mind it could be wet). This could be a challenge on a smaller yacht.

The canopy itself (replacements still available from the original suppliers in Denmark!) is available in various levels of trim. Most have windows, and both the sides and the rear panel can be rolled up and clipped up, just leaving a 'bimini' type top in place. Being able to roll up the windows is a big advantage, and when at anchor or moored I will often have the windward side down for shelter from wind and rain, but the leeward sides open for light and air. Canopy optional extras include curtains for the windows, and even an insulated lining, which would be good if you wanted to use the cockpit berths for sleeping.

One disadvantage on the LM27 is that when the canopy is up, getting from the aft deck forward is a bit hazardous (access and egress with the canopy up is via the rear canopy opening onto the aft deck, unless you use either the wheelhouse roof hatch or the forecabin hatch), as the side decks by the cockpit are too narrow to kneel, and standing up there's nothing but the canopy itself to hang onto until you get forward to the handrails on the wheelhouse roof.

Hope that is of some assistance. Good luck with your project.

 

[magicol]

Our cockpit enclosure has been one of the best investments for our 34 foot boat. It provides comfort and additional sheltered space on board. We sail in Scottish waters so it may be even more useful here! Go for the added height. I don’t think you will do much sailing with it set up although we occasionally use the top section as a bimini when it is particularly hot. Also, give consideration to how it is stowed. During the season, ours is stored in a purpose made bag on its raked back metal supports. This has the added advantage of being easy and quick to set up and put away. If you choose this design make sure the frame can be raked back sufficiently to allow freedom of movement at the helm. We’ve never regretted this purchase and see it as greatly enhancing our sailing.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I don't have a problem with my bimini being a bit higher than the dodger. It has sides which can be added to provide extra shade in midsummer.

I think you're overthinking it to worry how it'll affect the elegant lines of your boat if it'll only be used in the marina. But don't you want it to perform the role of a bimini when at anchor?

 

[Stemar]

Another vote in favour of a full cockpit tent. You'll be sitting in the cockpit, enjoying a glass and the fading sunset long after most folk have retired below. With good cushions, it makes the cockpit a great place to sleep on a mild night, too.

Ours cost way more than the value of the boat could justify, but it transformed our use of her. I haven't got standing headroom, but I haven't got standing headroom anywhere apart from the bottom of the companionway.

One thing, we knew we wouldn't be able to sail with it up, but thought we'd be able to motor. That's true - until it starts raining, when we can't see well enough out of the sprayhood windows to manoeuvre with any precision. We were fine in a bit of drizzle from the submarine barrier to West Pole, but as we turned to go into the busy entrance to Chichester Harbour, the heavens opened, and there was no way we could safely dodge everyone coming out, the dinghies tacking and fishermen drifting across us, so we had to open the lid

 

[catlotion]

another vote too. I've recently acquired a Bav 30 Cruiser (yes the keel is still on) and it was a welcome addition. It increases the usable size of the boat in the (usual) wet weather in the north west and as others have said gets nice and warm when the sun is out. They're not particularly pretty but the advantages far outweigh the aesthetics.

My only recommendations are to ensure you get a big entry door somewhere (the walkthrough transom helps a lot) and also get decent size side panels that unzip. Mine are a bit small (see second photo) and I'm going to get the cover modified so they're bigger so I can access primary winches and get in and out more easily. The other issue with mine is that it won't fold - you have to remove it. My neighbour on the marina has the same boat but his cover from C&J Marine folds nicely onto the sprayhood which is much better.

 

[Nina Lucia]

I am considering having a cockpit enclosure, made by TecSew, fitted to my Najad 331.
I am 1.8m tall and there is a clear advantage in having one that has full head room inside. However, I can foresee a number of disadvantages with this:

1. Increased windage;
2. The change in height from the spray hood to the cockpit enclosure creates a design that is not aesthetically pleasing.

I would value the opinions from any of you who have an enclosure that is not full height. Do you find the lack of head room to be a hinderance, would you prefer one with full head room ?
Many thanks
Chris

We are looking to replace our cockpit cover and spray hood and we will stick to original, just for sake of aesthetic, and extra windage, I do see point make it higher ...
We have sailed couple of weeks ago with cockpit cover on, its doable, just about, from Gosport to Cowes. We had to drop cockpit cover when we approached the pontoon.
Still getting quotations, TecSew is not the cheapest... what material would you use?

 

[Poignard]

Mine was made by Comfort Afloat, Gosport. I was very happy with the work and the excellent service. The price was competitive too.

 

[Nina Lucia]

I don’t think I have they quote yet and they are virtually few hundreds yards from our mooring

 

[James_Calvert]

I don’t think I have they quote yet and they are virtually few hundreds yards from our mooring

May have misunderstood what you've said but it's normal nowadays to arrange for measurements and the like to be taken when alongside somewhere with shore access.

It also helps to personally attend.

But not necessarily just for a quotation...

 

[Nina Lucia]

We have just emailed them for quotation, Thanks

 

[Halo]

I toook my cockpit enclosure off after two years of pain putting it up and down. It is still laid out in my garage loft and likely to stay there until I sell up or keel over. So far I feel better off without it - also I now have room to comfortably store two cruisng chutes.
If the weather is so bad i need the enclosure I go below and if not I can sit behind the spray hood !

 

[HTS]

anybody fit a habitent to a Hustler 30??
Am very interested in opinions

 

[differentroads]

The higher the better imho. It makes the cockpit an extra dining room, airing cupboard, store and workshop. And for comfort and utility, you need maximum volume.
The cockpit enclosure that came with my 10m boat slopes inward at the sides and aft faces and is only standing height in the dead centre. The lines are more aerodynamic than a box one but it's a pain to live with. We are liveaboards with a stern to mooring at the moment and walk through or sit in it half a dozen times a day. If I had the money, a big boxy fugly enclosure would be high on my list of improvements.
Oh, and I'd have loads of hanging loops sewn in for lamps, washing lines (strong enough to hang oilies off), etc and make sure its easy and safe to get forwards from the cockpit with it erected.

 

[Sealong]

Many thanks for all your replies. I am persuaded to go ahead with this and also to obtain one with enough headroom for me to stand up fully.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Mine is the same height as the sprayhood and requires a slight stoop. I don’t find it a problem, since I don’t generally stride around the cockpit anyway. Having the tent makes a huge difference when moored in wet weather, as an “airlock” to remove and store wet coats, a “porch” to keep rain out of the cabin, and as extra living space to sit in. We generally designate the area aft of the wheel as the “wet end” to put coats and stuff, and try to keep the seats forward of that dry for sitting on. If it’s wet but not cold, we generally roll up the leeward wall to give more of a “covered veranda” effect, which makes it easier to get in and out without faffing with zips and loose canvas, and a better view than through plastic panels.

Don’t assume you’ll be able to sail (or motor) with it up. I tried once, but the lack of visibility just felt dangerous and I lowered it after a few minutes so I could see properly.

Pete

+1

 

[Poignard]

Many thanks for all your replies. I am persuaded to go ahead with this and also to obtain one with enough headroom for me to stand up fully.

What you could do is to get a photo or drawing of your boat and sketch in a cockpit enclosure high enough to give you standing headroom and see if it looks acceptable.

 

[ashtead]

I’m sure if the boat is a major brand a decent firm will be able to show you CAD drawings of possible height variations to accommodate standing headroom at least at helm for you . Ideally you would have a frame at back so you can push back and not have to take the whole cover down. Some cover firms will offer you parts in a bag ie 2 sides so you have 4 large walking stick shaped poles which are a real pain to store so ideally you want a frame which stays up like a Bimini and folds back when not in use and the canvas top stays attached and just the sides and back panels (longer than on the Bav 30 shown to make access easier) go below .

 

[johnalison]

I’m sure if the boat is a major brand a decent firm will be able to show you CAD drawings of possible height variations to accommodate standing headroom at least at helm for you . Ideally you would have a frame at back so you can push back and not have to take the whole cover down. Some cover firms will offer you parts in a bag ie 2 sides so you have 4 large walking stick shaped poles which are a real pain to store so ideally you want a frame which stays up like a Bimini and folds back when not in use and the canvas top stays attached and just the sides and back panels (longer than on the Bav 30 shown to make access easier) go below .

We have found sitting height to be more important than standing height. In our case, those sitting may find the tent against the backs of their heads as the canvas curves over. This isn't really a problem, but a later version of our boat is squarer with a little more room. One feature I value is that our hood can be peeled back to form a screen across the back of the cockpit leaving the rest open, which can be handy when a little protection from that direction is needed. Bear in mind that a tent with open sides and back can be useful in very hot weather to shade the cockpit and keep the inside of the boat a little cooler.