I would like some info from others that have purchased a full cockpit enclosure for an H26 or H260. Where did you get it? How much did it cost? Do you feel it was worth it? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch.
Cockpit Enclosure
- Thread starter BungalowBill
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Not quite the same but...
We will be getting a full enclosure on our H356 this spring. It will use our current bimini - dodger and cost about $2000. Will extend our cruising a month or two. Jim S/V Java
We will be getting a full enclosure on our H356 this spring. It will use our current bimini - dodger and cost about $2000. Will extend our cruising a month or two. Jim S/V Java
A cheap way to see if you like it
I'm pretty cheap when it comes to something I'm not sure of or if it is something I can try myself. I misunderstood one of our club members talking about their poptop. To make a long story short I bought a clear plastic shower curtain, it has the nice holes at the top for bungi cords, and cut and fitted it. Actually I bought 3. I'll be using it in the morning. 46 is the expected high. I can't sail with it but I can moter and have the heater on and be comfortable all year long. I used the bimini and bimini/dodger plus a piece to fill in for the gap then used the curtains for the sides. There have been many changes since I started but it was a good way to see what worked and didn't without spending alot of money. I've started a webpage and that part of it is still in the works.
I'm pretty cheap when it comes to something I'm not sure of or if it is something I can try myself. I misunderstood one of our club members talking about their poptop. To make a long story short I bought a clear plastic shower curtain, it has the nice holes at the top for bungi cords, and cut and fitted it. Actually I bought 3. I'll be using it in the morning. 46 is the expected high. I can't sail with it but I can moter and have the heater on and be comfortable all year long. I used the bimini and bimini/dodger plus a piece to fill in for the gap then used the curtains for the sides. There have been many changes since I started but it was a good way to see what worked and didn't without spending alot of money. I've started a webpage and that part of it is still in the works.
pop-top enclosure
I purchased my boat used and it came with the pop-top enclosure, so I'm not sure what they cost. We used ours last Summer and loved it. It gives you more head room, good ventilation, and can be closed fairly quickly if it begins to rain. You can motor or sail with it up if necessary, using the stern rail seats for increased visibility. It was especially useful when at dock.
I purchased my boat used and it came with the pop-top enclosure, so I'm not sure what they cost. We used ours last Summer and loved it. It gives you more head room, good ventilation, and can be closed fairly quickly if it begins to rain. You can motor or sail with it up if necessary, using the stern rail seats for increased visibility. It was especially useful when at dock.
Questions for Nking
I have a few questions for you: Do you have a picture? If so could you post it? Does your enclosure have screens and clear plastic or???? Any more details would be appreciated. Thanks.
I have a few questions for you: Do you have a picture? If so could you post it? Does your enclosure have screens and clear plastic or???? Any more details would be appreciated. Thanks.
A few shots for Bill
Bill, These aren't the greatest shots since I was focusing on the bimini, but I did have my pop-top up too. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73274228981&fno=17 The dealer put my pop-top on, so I don't have a cost (it was included in the price of the boat.) We had both screens (built in) and plastic (zipped in over the screens.) We also had a cabinway screen and cabin-way plastic piece so we could 'button up' at night. I have to say, being 6'1" or so, this was one of the best things to have. It was easy to setup, easy to stow, fun to have when at anchor or a mooring or even the dock. With the plastic in the boat would stay warm on cooler nights, and the screens offered great flow-through during warmer days. You would not want to sail with it - it's not a dodger. The only thing I changed was adding a piece of batten stock to the center portion to get rid of the 'sag' (you can see it one of the pics, before I figured out the batten thing.) Other people used swim noodles, but I could never find one big enough to really give it a 'tent'. Hope this helps - I'm in the directory so feel free to email me for more info. Dave s/v Wind Dreamer II
Bill, These aren't the greatest shots since I was focusing on the bimini, but I did have my pop-top up too. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73274228981&fno=17 The dealer put my pop-top on, so I don't have a cost (it was included in the price of the boat.) We had both screens (built in) and plastic (zipped in over the screens.) We also had a cabinway screen and cabin-way plastic piece so we could 'button up' at night. I have to say, being 6'1" or so, this was one of the best things to have. It was easy to setup, easy to stow, fun to have when at anchor or a mooring or even the dock. With the plastic in the boat would stay warm on cooler nights, and the screens offered great flow-through during warmer days. You would not want to sail with it - it's not a dodger. The only thing I changed was adding a piece of batten stock to the center portion to get rid of the 'sag' (you can see it one of the pics, before I figured out the batten thing.) Other people used swim noodles, but I could never find one big enough to really give it a 'tent'. Hope this helps - I'm in the directory so feel free to email me for more info. Dave s/v Wind Dreamer II
Dodger
Bill, I am interested in what you find out. I looked at the poptop from the Chandlery on this site, which seems like a good value and looks great. However, since it uses the cabin hatch cover for support, it can't have a window in the front of it. Also, they indicated that it had to be taken down and stowed when under way, which seems like a lot of extra wear and tear. I'm wondering if anyone is aware of an off the shelf dodger/enclosure for the H26, or is the only option to have something custom made?
Bill, I am interested in what you find out. I looked at the poptop from the Chandlery on this site, which seems like a good value and looks great. However, since it uses the cabin hatch cover for support, it can't have a window in the front of it. Also, they indicated that it had to be taken down and stowed when under way, which seems like a lot of extra wear and tear. I'm wondering if anyone is aware of an off the shelf dodger/enclosure for the H26, or is the only option to have something custom made?
H26 PopTop Enclosure
I may be able to install it and take a picture in a few days, when it warms up. We're in the 40's here now and I'm not real excited about sailing yet. I'll post it when I get a picture.
I may be able to install it and take a picture in a few days, when it warms up. We're in the 40's here now and I'm not real excited about sailing yet. I'll post it when I get a picture.
Whole Cockpit Cover
Just to clear up some possible confusion, I am interested in finding out info on a complete cockpit enclosure. I am trying to get info on an enclosure that is integrated with a bimini and dodger and has side-curtains that come off the top and snap to the side of the cockpit resulting in a bugproof and weather proof area that encloses the whole cockpit. I would use this more for anchoring than trying to sail with it. I have seen the poptop enclosure in the Chandlery and this is not what I am after. Once again any info or owner experiences with this type of setup would be appreciated.
Just to clear up some possible confusion, I am interested in finding out info on a complete cockpit enclosure. I am trying to get info on an enclosure that is integrated with a bimini and dodger and has side-curtains that come off the top and snap to the side of the cockpit resulting in a bugproof and weather proof area that encloses the whole cockpit. I would use this more for anchoring than trying to sail with it. I have seen the poptop enclosure in the Chandlery and this is not what I am after. Once again any info or owner experiences with this type of setup would be appreciated.
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