Sprayhoods v Doghouse

[mickp]

My boat ( Moody 33 Mk 1 ) is currently fitted with a wood and perspex doghouse, which gives great shelter and standing headroom. However this is now beyond repair. I am considering having a one off alloy doghouse manufactured in lieu off the standard sprayhood. The fabricator reckons it will cost about same as a new sprayhood plus polycarb for windows. Has anyone fitted an alloy doghouse instead of the sprayhood ? what are the advantages / disadvantages.

 

[snowleopard]

i like doghouses because...

-i spend a lot of time in one (orders of SWMBO)
-you can walk on it when reefing
-you can stick solar panels on top
-it doesn't shred in a blow
-you can see through the window
-i'm getting too old to enjoy being cold and wet

 

[PaulAG]

Re: i like doghouses because...

I agree with snowleopard. Good in bad weather for hiding under and in the occasional strong sunshine in UK that burns my head!!

PaulAG

 

[Gunfleet]

The sprayhood definitely folds down easier. (Sorry!)

 

[southchinasea]

I live in a hot climate so a fixed dog house is not an option. We need to be able to
drop the spray hood to get breeze across the boat. In my very humble opinion
dog houses can look pretty ugly. Of course highly practical for cooler climes.
Cheers

 

[FlyingSpud]

People spend ages trying to get the sail shape right, positioning the leads, tensioning the forestay etc etc., and then stick a bloody great piece of windage on top of the boat that also blocks their view, and that's not even starting on the quesiton of dodgers
The idea of a spray hood is that it only goes up when you need it, ie: after you have taken a face full of water, but any glance around boats tells you that most people leave them up all of the time, though why is a mystery to me.
Doghouses are permanent spray hood, and, IMHO look crap.