Squadron with a hardtop!

Vagabond

Vagabond

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Auckland, New Zealand
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All this sun out here and they fry in hardtops!

So how come the open flybridge and targa boats are really popular in the UK/Med and enclosed bridge boats like Riviera etc are popular in the US/Aus and New Zealand?

8372-Fairline-Squadron-55.jpg
 
We rarely see any flybridge without a solid top down here. Canvas just isn't enough insulation against the direct rays.

There would have been a few bob changed hands to have that little custom made beauty done ;)

Thats of course if it is what you want.

Is that a local pic.?
 
Vagabond said:
All this sun out here and they fry in hardtops!

So how come the open flybridge and targa boats are really popular in the UK/Med and enclosed bridge boats like Riviera etc are popular in the US/Aus and New Zealand?

8372-Fairline-Squadron-55.jpg
Click to expand...

Well, I guess that'll be because the sun don't shine much here in the UK and when it does, boaters want to make the best of it. In the Med, a canvas bimini is a perfectly adequate shade from the sun. The only reason I can see for a hardtop on a flybridge is to create an airconditioned/heated environment which sort of defeats the object of having a flybridge IMHO. Apart from that, it can't do the handling and stability of the boat much good to have all that extra weight up top
 
Aye, having been microwaved by the Sun in Oz I can fully appreciate the need for as much protection as poss...but it does sort of defeat the object of having a fly bridge and that wind in your hair feeling.....suppose at least you get a nice view :)
 
The hard tops that are favoured are not part of a fully enclosed helm position, but just a lined/insulated GRP or plate alloy lid on polished SS framing, with clear curtains clipped around the edge.

Also some feel due to the cost to replace the canvas, due to UV damage, is worth the extra spend for the hard top.

One was built for the big Princess here, which extends from above the wind screen (fly) to just behind the targa. Its double skinned and very substantial, also one was made as an extension to the fly, and covers the main deck cockpit (also doubles as the RIB storage platform). The boat is very stable at sea in all conditions.
 
Hi Clive

Another big difference out there which you don't get in the UK / MED are all the skin cancer clinics. Even in the tiniest of towns. One case of skin cancer diagnosed every 11 minutes in Queensland, so all the posters show. Could be a connection here.

Likewise, the distinct lack of cabrio cars unlike UK / Med, and the big canopies at the supermarkets etc etc

Had to have a manky bit of my left ear removed just recently, which was put down to the Aussie sun.

Rory was telling me (he lives 10 minutes from where I grew up) that they treat "T" shirts on a par with factor 50 - Yes, you still burn through your clothes.

That don't happen in the UK / Med either!!

Hence the squaddie with the hardtop
 
Questor said:
Another big difference out there which you don't get in the UK / MED are all the skin cancer clinics. Even in the tiniest of towns. One case of skin cancer diagnosed every 11 minutes in Queensland, so all the posters show. Could be a connection here.
Click to expand...

Yes true ... We have factor 60 on all the time and the covers down ...it's still really lovely being outside ... Bondi Beach doesn't have a roof! :-)

The boat is a local one ... 2 hardtops were done I think. nice job if you like that sort of thing..
 
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