Full cockpit enclosure question

[mr44ds]

Hello all:My wife Sandy and I have just signed a P&S on a new 44 DS. One of the options we have specified is a full enclosure for the cockpit. Are there any tips or advice 44 DS owners with enclosures are able to pass along? I have found some pictures on the web site which have been very helpful. Our boat will also be equipeed with the Hunter davits.Thanks in advanceRick

 

[Tony]

Enclosure

I have a H41 with full encloseure. We had seperate bug screen doors and windows on both sides but the rest of the panels were bug screen with a clear plastic panel behind we can roll up from inside cockpit for air without letting bugs in. There are plastic straps to support the inner window when rolled up. We also have the ability to roll up all the panels completely without taking them right off and having to find somewhere to put them. Its really quick to drop in a downpour and then roll up again. The front and side windows on our dodger are lexan and we have sunbrella covers we can snap on when not on boat. This lenghtens the life of the lexan from sun damage. In the roof of the dodger there is a pocket that holds the front dodger window panel if we take it right out You will also need a couple of clear panels in the roof of bimini to be able to see masthead. Its a challenge to keep water out around the traveller on the arch. Hope this is useful to you.

 

[Rick Messier]

Great pic

Brian:Your enclosure is exactly what I had envisioned, including the bimini extending over the perch seats. It looks extremely well fitted.I also note that you appear to have the sunbrella covers for the dodger eisenglass, which I expect protects the zippers and such from UV.Thanks for the pic and advice.Rick

 

[mr44ds]

Lexan

Tony:Thanks for the input. I am interested in the lexan, I guess instead of the flexible eisenglass. How thick is your lexan? What are the advantages? We have had a good deal of experience with UV rotting out the zippers on our current boat dodger so I like the idea of the sunbrella covers for the dodger when not aboard,ThanksRick

 

[Tony]

Lexan

HiNot sure on thickness of the Lexan. It is quite stiff. Its advantage over the reg plastic window is the clear visibility without any distortion. You can see through it all day without getting a headache. Its downside is the life expectancy, thats why I have the covers on when not on the boat. It will scratch but you are able to polish the scratches out as long as not too deep. We sail up here in Canada and sometimes it gets cold, if you are in a warmer climate you might manage to use the reg. plastic as you can have them out most of the time, we seem to have ours in more than out, so for us we will just pay to have them replaced when the time comes. Mine are now 4 years old and still look good.

 

[Steve Dion]

Lexan is great, but..........

Rick:Lexan is great, but it has it own set of problems.The vinyl windows are easily scratched and get wavey making them difficult to see thru.The lexan windows don't warp like vinyl, but it can get dents in them very easily which makes viewing more difficult. They need to be stored "flat" so this may prevent you from storing them aboard. On our old boat we had vinyl and we put them in a custom made bag with terry cloth seperators. This bag could be stored unit the cushions. This may work for your lexan panels too.