Hunter 26 Pop Top

[John23883]

I'm thinking of buying the Pop top for my Hunter 26 but adding a clear panel to the front so I can leave it up while sailing. It seems like it would be great when we stay on the boat for a week at a time, especially when it is hot or buggy. I would appreciate any insight or comments from people who have the pop top on their 26 or 260. Does it work well? Would you buy it again? Things you would have done differently?
John

 

[Last Chance60]

I am a real newbie to sailing but do have a "pop top" and have sailed with it once or twice. What I have found is the visibility while standing in the cockpit is really poor especially while flying the jib. I use a tiller extention and sit on one of the rail seats or next to the companionway so I can see not only the horizon but the jib streamers. In this position the "pop top" is a nonissue.

 

[John23883]

Pop top

The sight-line issue is why I'm inquiring from the store if I can have it made with clear plastic and a zippered canvas cover to roll up when sailing and down while sitting in the sun. They are finding out if the mfg. will semi-custom it for me.

How does it work for ventilation and getting in and out of the cabin? I will be making cheap swinging doors for a trip we are taking so we can get in and out easily and I like the idea of the hatch out of the way and a tall entry into the cabin. Does it work as a dodger while sailing or is it too narrow? I'm sure I will have more questions. Thanks.

 

[Rick Webb]

Clear front Would not Matter Much

The slider is in the raised poition to hold up the camper top and you won't be able to see through it.

It is worthwhile though as it makes the interior seem much larger.

 

[owner23.5]

the link below is what one sailor did. I already have the pop top and am planning on doing what your about to and what this fella did. I see he figured out howto utilize the poptop with the window while leaving his hatch down , I like the side wind windows he made solves alot of bowspray and wind I'll bet ,http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewgallery&link_id=7937&Itemid=257

 

[MikeH]

John, the canvas pop top cover for our 1998 H260 has two clear plastic side panels (we bought the boat second hand, and it came that way), but didn't have a center panel. Instead, I took a companionway mosquito net and sewed attachment points to the canvas cover (mosquitos, flies and gnats are bothersome on Lake Erie), and this is what we came up with. This link shows the top up with the cover & net in place while sailing.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2467769910065214907QodQXj

Because the pop top still obstructs the view from the rear seat, we still have to get up and look around for traffic, but it's not a bad solution for us.

 

[canmor]

The link posted by Badcompany is my Dodger. It is my designed so I can leave the slider down while sailing, and have visiability through a large front window. The fourth picture sort of shows it has three ss tubing bows make up the frame. The supports by the companion way make a terrific handhold. I also extended the dodger about 10 inches aft of the companion way to prevent rain failing into the cabin. I made the height so I can stand on the step inside the cabin and not have to bend. Durring bad weather I set the autopilot and maintain watch from this position. I also installed twist lock fastener on the inside of the dodger. Lightweight curtains can be put up for privacy at night.