I am in the process of purchasing a 1981 H33 and have started to look for a full cockpit enclosure. I have been looking on the web and have not seen very many H33's with them. Is there a person in the group that has an enclosure and would be willing to let me know where they got it and the approx. cost?. Does the traveller interfere? Has anybody made there own? Thanks, Scott
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Steve Weinstein
Scott, first you have to start with a Bimini.
Unfortunately I have no pics with the sides and front installed but essentially I've got large clear vinyl side panels which zip to the sides of the bimini top. There are "eyelets" along the lower edge of each panel. They're secured to the toerail with one continuous line looping through the holes in the toerail and the eyelets on the panel. Then I've got a clear vinyl connector which sipz to the back of the dodger and the front of the bimini top. The bridgedeck located traveller is problematic in that there's no way to sail with that connector in place. On the other hand if you're motoring in the rain then it's a godsend.
Unfortunately I have no pics with the sides and front installed but essentially I've got large clear vinyl side panels which zip to the sides of the bimini top. There are "eyelets" along the lower edge of each panel. They're secured to the toerail with one continuous line looping through the holes in the toerail and the eyelets on the panel. Then I've got a clear vinyl connector which sipz to the back of the dodger and the front of the bimini top. The bridgedeck located traveller is problematic in that there's no way to sail with that connector in place. On the other hand if you're motoring in the rain then it's a godsend.
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Marvin
Bimini only
Last year I looked high and low for a full cockpit enclosure, but couldn't find anything under $3K. I settled on a bimini from some random water ski catalog as a result, but it has worked tremendously well and cost less than $500. The 8' model protects the entire cockpit from sun and rain.
Last year I looked high and low for a full cockpit enclosure, but couldn't find anything under $3K. I settled on a bimini from some random water ski catalog as a result, but it has worked tremendously well and cost less than $500. The 8' model protects the entire cockpit from sun and rain.
Here's Mine
Don't look for some pre-fab enclosure. You need a custom canvas maker. Start asking around your marina, and others, ask the boatyards who they recommend. I found mine through word of mouth, he actually doesn't advertise, doesn't need to, he's that good. Shortly after we bought Weyrling we started working with our canvas guy. A custom built dodger, bimini, and connector with frames cost about $3500. Worth every penny. Only problems were, at anchor on bright sunny afternoons we couldn't read in the cockpit because of the sun in our eyes. We wanted sun screens. On rainy days we couldn't enjoy the cockpit because the rain came in around the canvas, we wanted easily installed rain curtains. So back to the canvas guy with our ideas. $1500 bought what you see in the photo. The rear panel zips to the bimini and includes a roll up "door" with window and window cover. The rear P&S side panels also zip to the bimini. Side and rear panels can be rolled up and secured with attached ties, or easily zipped off and stored below. The forward P&S side panels zip to the connector, they also include "doors" with windows and covers. While they can also be rolled up, the windows make them bulky, so I usually zip them off and store them below. (My wife made a bag that hangs on the quarterberth wall for them, completly out of the way). After our first season with them, I'd only make a few suggestions. 1) My bimini's higher than it needs to be. 2) The side curtains don't need to hang below the toe rail (mine have straps that secure to the toe rail). Stopping 3-4" above the rail would provide the same protection, and bungee's with hooks to the toe rail would be eaiser to rig. 3) We don't need the large windows on the sides and rear. Small portholes would work well enough, and be much less bulky. We don't sail with the full enclosure up, can't with our traveler. We could remove the connector and forward curtains, providing substantial protection for the helmsman, but haven't needed to so far. We could motor with the full enclosure up, but so far haven't been out in any weather bad enough for that. Mostly we enjoy using the side and rear curtains to block the sun or rain when at anchor. The picture I've included was taken while the enclosure was being installed, our canvas guy, Jim Funk of Canvas Works in Mystic Ct (here's that word of mouth) was inside adjusting and securing, so disregard the wrinkles. We've been in the cockpit with some nasty weather outside, and really enjoyed the protection. My friend Joe Rheubeck (Cynosure) had Dodger, bimini, and connector made by Jim also, but after looking mine over, he designed his own. Totally different covers, same great workmanship. Jim's currently making side curtains for Joe that will be simpler than mine. Perhaps we can get Joe to post a photo when that project is done. You've got a great boat, investing in good canvas will be worth it in the long run.
Don't look for some pre-fab enclosure. You need a custom canvas maker. Start asking around your marina, and others, ask the boatyards who they recommend. I found mine through word of mouth, he actually doesn't advertise, doesn't need to, he's that good. Shortly after we bought Weyrling we started working with our canvas guy. A custom built dodger, bimini, and connector with frames cost about $3500. Worth every penny. Only problems were, at anchor on bright sunny afternoons we couldn't read in the cockpit because of the sun in our eyes. We wanted sun screens. On rainy days we couldn't enjoy the cockpit because the rain came in around the canvas, we wanted easily installed rain curtains. So back to the canvas guy with our ideas. $1500 bought what you see in the photo. The rear panel zips to the bimini and includes a roll up "door" with window and window cover. The rear P&S side panels also zip to the bimini. Side and rear panels can be rolled up and secured with attached ties, or easily zipped off and stored below. The forward P&S side panels zip to the connector, they also include "doors" with windows and covers. While they can also be rolled up, the windows make them bulky, so I usually zip them off and store them below. (My wife made a bag that hangs on the quarterberth wall for them, completly out of the way). After our first season with them, I'd only make a few suggestions. 1) My bimini's higher than it needs to be. 2) The side curtains don't need to hang below the toe rail (mine have straps that secure to the toe rail). Stopping 3-4" above the rail would provide the same protection, and bungee's with hooks to the toe rail would be eaiser to rig. 3) We don't need the large windows on the sides and rear. Small portholes would work well enough, and be much less bulky. We don't sail with the full enclosure up, can't with our traveler. We could remove the connector and forward curtains, providing substantial protection for the helmsman, but haven't needed to so far. We could motor with the full enclosure up, but so far haven't been out in any weather bad enough for that. Mostly we enjoy using the side and rear curtains to block the sun or rain when at anchor. The picture I've included was taken while the enclosure was being installed, our canvas guy, Jim Funk of Canvas Works in Mystic Ct (here's that word of mouth) was inside adjusting and securing, so disregard the wrinkles. We've been in the cockpit with some nasty weather outside, and really enjoyed the protection. My friend Joe Rheubeck (Cynosure) had Dodger, bimini, and connector made by Jim also, but after looking mine over, he designed his own. Totally different covers, same great workmanship. Jim's currently making side curtains for Joe that will be simpler than mine. Perhaps we can get Joe to post a photo when that project is done. You've got a great boat, investing in good canvas will be worth it in the long run.
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Steve Weinstein
It was made locally in Oyster Bay,
There's a local canvas guy (Greg Fitzmaurice @ Custom Canvas)who did the dodger and designed and built the bimini. He's extremely competetive pricewise and totally anal in delivering a perfect product. As a matter of fact he won't accept final payment until he and the customer inspect the final product.
There's a local canvas guy (Greg Fitzmaurice @ Custom Canvas)who did the dodger and designed and built the bimini. He's extremely competetive pricewise and totally anal in delivering a perfect product. As a matter of fact he won't accept final payment until he and the customer inspect the final product.
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Bill Arneson
BIMINI
Steve, Was your bimini custom made,or did you buy a stock one and retro fit it? Where on deck is it attached.Any more information you can send along will be a big help. Thanks, Bill
Steve, Was your bimini custom made,or did you buy a stock one and retro fit it? Where on deck is it attached.Any more information you can send along will be a big help. Thanks, Bill
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