agurney
Well-Known Member
Is the lack of sprayhoods in the photos simply seasonal, with most owners removing them while laid up?
Sprayhoods going out of fashion?
- Thread starter Impaler
- Start date
Is the lack of sprayhoods in the photos simply seasonal, with most owners removing them while laid up?
prv
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't dream of removing mine altogether, but I generally drop it as soon as I come aboard and leave it down when sailing unless the weather's particularly unpleasant. It folds down neatly and doesn't get in the way. It goes up when anchored to keep the weather out.
Pete
Pete
fireball
Well-Known Member
Surely it's personal choice ...
I quite like having the sprayhood up when going to windward - especially if it's chilly or raining as it gives you something to shelter behind/under. Getting out of the wind can be very nice.
Having it fitted also makes it quick and easy to put the cockpit tent up - which not only serves as an extra room at rest, but keeps the cockpit dry and warmer - especially handy if you have guests aboard.
I could put oilies on - and quite often do, but it isn't the same as sheltering behind the sprayhood.
If I wanted to sail to get wet I'd take the racing dinghy ...
I quite like having the sprayhood up when going to windward - especially if it's chilly or raining as it gives you something to shelter behind/under. Getting out of the wind can be very nice.
Having it fitted also makes it quick and easy to put the cockpit tent up - which not only serves as an extra room at rest, but keeps the cockpit dry and warmer - especially handy if you have guests aboard.
I could put oilies on - and quite often do, but it isn't the same as sheltering behind the sprayhood.
If I wanted to sail to get wet I'd take the racing dinghy ...
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
I knew that I should have put
after the man of iron bit!No, not trying to elicit a response just stating a different point of view. I guess my thinking comes from saving the stength of a 2 person crew for passages of 2 or more days and to be honest I can't be bothered to alter the rig for short hops.
You are right, Solent sailing requires much more attention, a lot of long distance stuff is just plodding along but then we end up somewhere a little more exotic, eh?
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
When I bought my Jeanneau, I got a credit of £930 back for deleting the sprayhood from the spec.
This was mainly because I could not see through the thing when standing at the helm, sitting was worse. To be honest, my boat is not that wet even travelling uphill in an East Coast short chop.
I have been saving my pennies for a custom fixed screen (not a slabby Malo/HR one) which will have a removable small sprayhood attached to the top of it, and be capable of zipping to a bimini. I have had laughable quotes of up to £5k for this piece of frippery.
The real difficulty is getting the styling right to match the boat, and to have maximum functional capability too. Not easy that.
So, I have still yet to own a boat that has a sprayhood.
This was mainly because I could not see through the thing when standing at the helm, sitting was worse. To be honest, my boat is not that wet even travelling uphill in an East Coast short chop.
I have been saving my pennies for a custom fixed screen (not a slabby Malo/HR one) which will have a removable small sprayhood attached to the top of it, and be capable of zipping to a bimini. I have had laughable quotes of up to £5k for this piece of frippery.
The real difficulty is getting the styling right to match the boat, and to have maximum functional capability too. Not easy that.
So, I have still yet to own a boat that has a sprayhood.
Seajet
...
Chrise,
I list places which are as far as I recall not that close to Cowes, and it's still dismissed as Solent sailing.
I list places which are as far as I recall not that close to Cowes, and it's still dismissed as Solent sailing.
TamarMike
Well-Known Member
When I've had to open the companionway when its raining I've often thought that a spray hood would keep us drier down below, however with quite a low deep cockpit compared with modern designs even the thickness of a folded sprayhood would cause visibilty problems, not so much for me but definitely for SWMBO or my daughter helming.
In any case I do think they spoil the appearance of some boats, which is of course always of paramount importance to me.
In any case I do think they spoil the appearance of some boats, which is of course always of paramount importance to me
.ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Chrise,
I list places which are as far as I recall not that close to Cowes, and it's still dismissed as Solent sailing.
Sj, not in anyway wishing to diminish your sailing exploits.
Any roads up, this distance stuff is all relative, I once sat next to guy at dinner who had single handed it from UK to Oz non-stop. He got there only to find that he didn't much like the place and 5 days later he came straight back. Oh and he was 78 when he did that.
Signed Out
Well-Known Member
Fashion being a point?
As mentioned, there are a few different types, such as solid designs a la Vendee, etc, and occasional home designed specials, but really they are all identical, and it's not as if they're something that has evolved over time like many of the boat's other elements.
They're pretty much all the standard s/s rail with a blue canvas cover (or ruddy red if you're a traditionalist). It's a good design, but so rarely changed or developed. Perhaps if there was more variety in styles, they would have a (limited admittedly) chance of the aesthetic impact being minimised or even enhanced in some ways.
As for windage and forward visibility, this would take some designing, but surely there could be some improvement, or at least mitigation in impact relative to differing craft design.
For example, the trend in big cats (and some monos) has gone through curvy bubble saloons into vertical paned versions. This didn't get transferred to canopies/sprayhoods, although there are some with vertical panels.
I'll shut up now.
As mentioned, there are a few different types, such as solid designs a la Vendee, etc, and occasional home designed specials, but really they are all identical, and it's not as if they're something that has evolved over time like many of the boat's other elements.
They're pretty much all the standard s/s rail with a blue canvas cover (or ruddy red if you're a traditionalist). It's a good design, but so rarely changed or developed. Perhaps if there was more variety in styles, they would have a (limited admittedly) chance of the aesthetic impact being minimised or even enhanced in some ways.
As for windage and forward visibility, this would take some designing, but surely there could be some improvement, or at least mitigation in impact relative to differing craft design.
For example, the trend in big cats (and some monos) has gone through curvy bubble saloons into vertical paned versions. This didn't get transferred to canopies/sprayhoods, although there are some with vertical panels.
I'll shut up now.
Alfie168
Well-Known Member
I havn't got one on my little boat, but having sailed on a mates slightly bigger boat there were times when it was nice to duck behind the sprayhood for a moment or twos' respite from chilly breeze..or spray. We happily folded it in sunny or quiet weather.
As has been said, they are rarely much use for the helmsman at the stern..but thats his fault
Tim
As has been said, they are rarely much use for the helmsman at the stern..but thats his fault
Tim
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
I havn't got one on my little boat, but having sailed on a mates slightly bigger boat there were times when it was nice to duck behind the sprayhood for a moment or twos' respite from chilly breeze..or spray. We happily folded it in sunny or quiet weather.
As has been said, they are rarely much use for the helmsman at the stern..but thats his fault
Tim
Tell him to get an autopilot then you can sit under the sprayhood
prv
Well-Known Member
As has been said, they are rarely much use for the helmsman at the stern..but thats his fault
Tell him to get an autopilot then you can sit under the sprayhood
Or a tiller
Pete
Seajet
...
Mrjemm,
I should think part of the answer you're looking for is in fact even older style, to my mind the modern 'evolution' of the sprayhood has gone off at a false tangent.
The old style mini-sprayhood over just the main hatch, ie not sweeping to the sides of the coachroof, just a raked rectangular cover over the hatch, just about saves a boats' looks, allows the hatch open in rain, will still provide a fair bit of shelter and one can even see most of where one's going !
The sort of thing often seen on Aphrodite 101's and Swans, but I'd have thought a lot more suitable for a lot more boats than one sees with them.
I doubt I'd bother, but if I was to have a hood at all it would definitely be one of these.
I should think part of the answer you're looking for is in fact even older style, to my mind the modern 'evolution' of the sprayhood has gone off at a false tangent.
The old style mini-sprayhood over just the main hatch, ie not sweeping to the sides of the coachroof, just a raked rectangular cover over the hatch, just about saves a boats' looks, allows the hatch open in rain, will still provide a fair bit of shelter and one can even see most of where one's going !
The sort of thing often seen on Aphrodite 101's and Swans, but I'd have thought a lot more suitable for a lot more boats than one sees with them.
I doubt I'd bother, but if I was to have a hood at all it would definitely be one of these.
Scotty_Tradewind
Well-Known Member
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
Most modern boats are of the deck-saloon variety, older boats have lower coachroofs.
Hence, older boats benefit more from having a sprayhood.
Signed Out
Well-Known Member
Yes Seajet, that's exactly what I think is a good design- with obvious limitations; no real shelter while remaining in cockpit, like a typical sprayhood, but effective for keeping saloon dry with companionway open and providing a shelter for watch while away from helm (under A/P or S/S).
I have always admired the A101, which this doesn't detract from too much, and lately also the Folksong; interesting thinking on this matter at Bill W's blog-
http://billwhateley.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/on-sailing-a-folksong-a-come-in-for-blue-mistress/
But perhaps something else entirely could be created. Possibly modular/sectioned, so the windward portion could be raised easily, kind of like a beach shelter for eating sandy sarnies behind.
I have always admired the A101, which this doesn't detract from too much, and lately also the Folksong; interesting thinking on this matter at Bill W's blog-
http://billwhateley.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/on-sailing-a-folksong-a-come-in-for-blue-mistress/
But perhaps something else entirely could be created. Possibly modular/sectioned, so the windward portion could be raised easily, kind of like a beach shelter for eating sandy sarnies behind.
SHUG
Well-Known Member
The designers of some recent boats have realised that sprayhoods are here to stay and have incorporated a neat recess in the coachroof for stowing it.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Searush
Well-Known Member
TK - Please get you pics to a decent size!!
First thing I add to a new boat (well both of them so far) is to add a sprayhood. SWMBO wouldn't sail without one to duck under. Also allows us to leave the washboards out & hatch open even when it rains - great for reducing conndensation.
Currently I have 2 on SR, one on main cabin & one on aft cabin. The windows are clear & easy to see thro & the cockpit is lovely & sheltered. I even have a zip in/out centre piece that provides complete cover. My shed gives me an extra room at anchor & overnight. Wouldn't be without it. Get a nice sunny day (yes, it does sometimes happen) then the two hoods will be folded flat & virtually dissappear from view - untill needed next. wonderful inventions!
First thing I add to a new boat (well both of them so far) is to add a sprayhood. SWMBO wouldn't sail without one to duck under. Also allows us to leave the washboards out & hatch open even when it rains - great for reducing conndensation.
Currently I have 2 on SR, one on main cabin & one on aft cabin. The windows are clear & easy to see thro & the cockpit is lovely & sheltered. I even have a zip in/out centre piece that provides complete cover. My shed gives me an extra room at anchor & overnight. Wouldn't be without it. Get a nice sunny day (yes, it does sometimes happen) then the two hoods will be folded flat & virtually dissappear from view - untill needed next. wonderful inventions!
aquaplane
Well-Known Member
You got me thinking now, I really missed a spray hood on Aquaplane, (First 18) it would have made a brilliant addition to the boom tent.
I don't even have a boom tent for the Copland Harrier, I'm going to have to do something about that pronto.
I don't even have a boom tent for the Copland Harrier, I'm going to have to do something about that pronto.