Full enclosure questions

[fred1diver]

Hello everyone
I’m at a loss here, I have been asked to make a full enclosure on a Viking 29.
Not that big of a deal, but…
The customer’s traveller and main sheet is just forward of the wheel, he wants it fully closed but still wants to be able to go sailing with it closed
I am looking for ways to make it happen, I know there is no way to fully close it when sailing, but if there is a small slit open to allow the main sheet to work but is close able when at anchor, it should work.

so far I thought of adding a piece of curved frame in front of the main sheet to allow a connecting panel to be present, and an other piece to be closed when at anchor maybe?

what do y ou all think???
I am open to ideas and suggestions
Frederic

 

[thinwater]

Personally, I've always felt sailing with a closed enclosure is an oximoron. If you can close the enclosure, you aren't sailing. IF you are actually sailing, there are too many reasons to go on deck.

I had a boat with an enclosure, and while sailing, even in crummy or cold weather, I left the back open, such that I could com and go freely. Once anchored, I might close it. The cabin was heated and the front of the enclosure provided all of the wind and rain break I could want. The sun even heated it some, even open. As for the chill, that is what clothes are for. Aren't you going to need clothes when you duck out to do something? That would be bad if you were driving in short sleeves.

I think your idea is fine. I don't think the customer understands sailing.

It's not a car.

 

[SkiingSailor]

Depends where you live and sail....

We sail all year round here in British Columbia. Think cold'ish and rainy.

Our full enclosure allows us to sail (yes, sail) and not freeze or get soaked. (If it is not too bad, we will keep at least 1 opening open... but we don't have to. It is a simple/quick procedure to open up and go out on deck.)

But our traveller/mainsheet is in front of our dodger, so not a problem. In OP's case, the traveller arrangement would seem to preclude sailing combined with closed full enclosure.

 

[Hayden Watson]

It seems to me that the only way to have a fully enclosed cockpit on this boat would be to have the traveler moved or modified. The traveler has too much range of motion to be inside the encloser. Two options come to mind. Move the traver to the cabin top in a mid-boom configuration. Mount the travel on an arch over the enclosure.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

If you're doing a slit, perhaps some leather around that opening would protect the canvas from chafe? Some flat, stiff, leather with a simple cut in the middle would help close the gap and keep out the elements. Not sure if that makes sense. Happy to explain further

 

[fred1diver]

If you're doing a slit, perhaps some leather around that opening would protect the canvas from chafe? Some flat, stiff, leather with a simple cut in the middle would help close the gap and keep out the elements. Not sure if that makes sense. Happy to explain further

That is what I was thinking, I just need to figure the extended range of motion, I do like the other ideas about moving the traveller, not sure if the customer will agree.
I am going to see him tomorrow morning and see what can be done.

As for location, we are in Ottawa Canada, so cold and wet as well, maybe not as much as BC but still Canada.
I love those inputs, if you have more, please share
Frederic

 

[thinwater]

I've also always felt that in rainy and snowy conditions I HAD to be able to stick my head out periodically to maintain a proper watch. Often, you can't see crap through vinyl windows without wipers. Just a few snow flakes and you are totally blind. Night is worse, might as well just pull a bag over your head. You simply must be able to stick your head out to maintain a proper watch.

Not me.

 

[sailme88]

We have a dodger, Bimini and connector.. There is no way I'd sail with the connector in place. However, in foul weather and motoring it is ideal. So the connector totally obstructs one's ability to see the main sail's shape and tell tales.. The Bimini has a window it it. That too is inadequate to see shape and tell tales. I would say that if this enclosure has a isinglass panel in the cockpit overhead that mis large enough to see to trim sail it would result in a greenhouse effect.