Pop Top Cabin Enclosure

[Sailavie1]

Can anyone tell me if they would recommend the pop top cabin enclosure designed for Hunter boats? My 2008 H25 is equipped with snaps and holes at each side of the companion way to accommodate an enclosure. The front of these are held up by the hatch in the up position and the rear by a metal frame. There appear to be two types available, a basic and a deluxe with screens.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Let me respond as I am the one who was involved getting the first built by a manufacturer who this site sells their product.

First, there is a camper top which you are describing. The standard comes with windows. The delux has screens included. I am not sure about the door flap. I always ordered the one with screens when used in warm weather.

The other is a companionway cover designed to attach to the top of the companionway to deflect water from getting in. For those who have that, I would suggest an throw cushion be placed underneath that or water will pool in the center of the cover. If you order one of these with a camper top already installed, order it with the snaps not on but supplied so you can match the cover to those on the camper top installed on the boat.

What I am not clear about your description, are there snaps already in place and if so, is there a companionway cover already installed on the boat?

crazy dave condon

 

[steve stark]

I can highly recommend the one sold on this SBO site. We had the deluxe w/ screens on our H26 and it was very robust. If I recall correctly, there was an option to order with the snaps pre-installed, so that matching snap studs could be put in the hatch coaming, or, if you already have snap studs in the fiberglass, the canvas was shipped with loosely bagged snaps to be put into the canvas to match the positions of the ones in the coaming.

Even in chilly weather, we found it handy to pull back a corner of the clear material and expose some or all of a screen to let out condensation from cooking, etc. The rear portion of the cover only came down as far as the level of the companionway slider, and would dump water on to the existing pin boards, or you can install a companionway cover as Dave mentioned, and even install snaps to fasten the two covers together if you wish.

Easy to set up and tear down... I highly recommend it.

 

[Sailavie1]

Thanks Dave and Steve for your information. I was wrong, I do not have the snaps on the companionway so will order the cover with the snaps attached. One more question if I may. On
the list of boat models to choose from when ordering, the H25 is not listed. I presume that one of the other models listed has the same opening size as the H25. I emailed this question to the supplier but have not received an answer yet. Again, I really appropriate this site and especially Dave's practical advice and incredible knowledge of the Hunter boats.
Thanks
Andre

 

[Sailavie1]

Thanks Dave and Steve for your information. I was wrong, I do not have the snaps on the companionway so will order the cover with the snaps attached. One more question if I may. On
the list of boat models to choose from when ordering, the H25 is not listed. I presume that one of the other models listed has the same opening size as the H25. I emailed this question to the supplier but have not received an answer yet. Again, I really appriciate this site and especially Dave's practical advice and incredible knowledge of the Hunter boats.
Thanks
Andre

<img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=62386"/>

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[Crazy Dave Condon]

sallievie1

The store site deals direct with the manufacturer and the manufacturer does have those measurments but specify the specific year and model advising this is not a water ballast. I know as I had them make the first ones for me. Thank you for the kind remarks too. I do this just to help fellow sailors too. Fair winds and God Bless.


crazy dave condon

 

[jcrumpley]

sallievie1,

If you do get the camper top, please post photos here. I have yet to see actual photos of one on a late model H25. I have the companionway cover on mine, ordered from this site, of course. It works well.

 

[Sailavie1]

I contacted the manufacturer of the pop top enclosure and was informed that Hunter has not provided them with the opening dimensions. This was after repeated requests. So for now I don't know if I will ever be able to get one made for my 2008 H25. Not sure if Hunter monitors this forum but, if so, I would ask that they provide this information to the manufacturer so that I and other H25 owners can purchase this product.
Andre

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If you take with you some photos with boat in hand of course to a canvas maker, they will be able to reproduce that.

 

[Sailavie1]

Thanks Dave. I will need to have the supporting metal frame built as well. The design offered by the store looks good and was recommended by other Hunter owners. I would much prefer to get it made by them if possible.
Andre