Sprayhood - standard pattern for specific boat?

[brownsox]

We've just bought a Trapper 500. We'd like to replace the sprayhood as it's a strange high and narrow design, looks neither very useful nor very good. We'd prefer a wider lower one that doesn't look like a pimple on a haystack. Are there standard patterns for boats, so that we could get one made (frame and canvas) in the UK for the boat while she is in France?

 

[Searush]

As far as I understand it (about 2' 6") every maker designs their own for each boat! So similarities are more likely to indicate the same supplier than anything else.

Differences specific to the boat tend to be allowed for in each designer's pattern (different widths/ heights can be supplied at customer's request as far as I can see).

Just my view - I won't let any facts get in the way!

 

[FAITIRA]

For a well known design like the Trapper 500, if you are having a new frame as well, I would be very surprised if there was not a stock design.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
a strange high and narrow design, looks neither very useful nor very good. We'd prefer a wider lower one that doesn't look like a pimple on a haystack

[/ QUOTE ] Perhaps it was a boat that was being seriously raced. Just intended to be used when not sailing and folded down when racing. That's the only time I have seen something like that.

Plenty of hood makers about, many/most sailmakers will make them as well. Look around, look at the different patterns offered, compare prices and make your choice.
Have it fitted by the makers. Do not attempt a DIY job unless you are very competent with that sort of thing or the result may be very disappointing

 

[PIGLETSDREAM]

Hi Brownsox, great choice. As someone who had a Trapper 500 for many years I can say it was a fantastic boat. If you need a Trapper manual and a Safety Briefing book for the T500 I have them on line. I may have a picture of the sprayhood as well.

 

[brownsox]

Thanks for all replies. I think we'll probably try to get one made when in the med. And thanks pigletsdream for the offer, I've pm'd you.

 

[Billjratt]

Why not try using the boat and see why the previous owner did it that way. You may find there is a need for it and be disappointed to have spent cash on the wrong thing. Unless, of course, it's pure aesthetics, in which case you may have to live with something that looks good but is always in the wrong place. For my money, tall is good as long as you can see over it while standing on the cockpit floor and it doesn't foul the boom. Wide is good for putting "stuff" under as long as you can get safely past it to go to the genoa car.(low side!) and last but not least, a good handrail should be incorporated.

 

[Seagreen]

As an ex-sailmaker who used to do this for money, the short answer is "no". The builder will have subcontracted the canvas work to one company, and as such, this will be the "standard" model. However, as build and finish on many production boats varies, so do the position of the fittings. As such, any production hood has to be fitted by hand anyway.

Other lofts will have their own standard pattern for frames and canvas that maybe similar to the original, but it will have to be fitted on the boat. Fitting a hood isn't rocket science but it does take experience. It all depends exactly what you want. If you see other Trappers with hoods that you like, take the makers number off the trademark and call them. Otherwise, start from scratch and get a firm that specialises in hoods to measure the boat up. I'm sure there are local firms which could fit it for you in france, so it may be worth ringing firms here for a quote.