It's time to replace our cockpit enclosure on our 42. What type of canvas do you recomment using? Would like to find something as close to "waterproof" as possible.
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In my book - Sunbrella
I have had a Dodger/Enclosure for 9 seasons on my L37 that is made with Sunbrella. I couldn't be more pleased. Maintenance is easy and it's extremely durable.
I have had a Dodger/Enclosure for 9 seasons on my L37 that is made with Sunbrella. I couldn't be more pleased. Maintenance is easy and it's extremely durable.
Sunbrella
Sunbrella wins, hands down - relatively inexpensive, available in a wide variety of colors, widely available.
Sunbrella wins, hands down - relatively inexpensive, available in a wide variety of colors, widely available.
Sunbrella w/Seamark upgrade
Sunbrella can be enhanced with a Seamark upgrade, a rubber membrane fused to the underside of the fabric. This means you can wash the seagull and bird poop off and not ever have to worry about waterproofing. It also has half the stretch than regular Sunbrella and will therefore last longer and look better longer. The upgrade cost us $85 each for the bimini and dodger panels on our 380. This is in addition to the basic Sunbrella cost. Well worth the cost.
Sunbrella can be enhanced with a Seamark upgrade, a rubber membrane fused to the underside of the fabric. This means you can wash the seagull and bird poop off and not ever have to worry about waterproofing. It also has half the stretch than regular Sunbrella and will therefore last longer and look better longer. The upgrade cost us $85 each for the bimini and dodger panels on our 380. This is in addition to the basic Sunbrella cost. Well worth the cost.
Rob,
Had the full enclosure on my 420 made out of 'Stamoid'. It is one of several acytate type fabrics that has been vinyl coated on (one or) both sides. Slightly more expensive than sunbrella, but much more waterproof and durable. Ask your 'top-shop' people about it. Mine is now about 18mos old, and I have been VERY pleased. Looks just as good today as it did when it was new. Sunbrella is good, but tends to loose its 'waterproof' quality within a few years, depending on the intensity of the sunlight to which it is exposed.
Had the full enclosure on my 420 made out of 'Stamoid'. It is one of several acytate type fabrics that has been vinyl coated on (one or) both sides. Slightly more expensive than sunbrella, but much more waterproof and durable. Ask your 'top-shop' people about it. Mine is now about 18mos old, and I have been VERY pleased. Looks just as good today as it did when it was new. Sunbrella is good, but tends to loose its 'waterproof' quality within a few years, depending on the intensity of the sunlight to which it is exposed.
What about Windows?
No, not Bill Gates' brand, but vinyl windows. You don't want the vinyl too thin. The thinner, you are more susceptiple to marring and distortion. My dodger was made with 32 mil thick vinyl. It's taken some tough hits by wayward jib sheets and has scratched, but otherwise, it's durable when properly taken care of and isn't even near ready to be replaced after 9 years.
No, not Bill Gates' brand, but vinyl windows. You don't want the vinyl too thin. The thinner, you are more susceptiple to marring and distortion. My dodger was made with 32 mil thick vinyl. It's taken some tough hits by wayward jib sheets and has scratched, but otherwise, it's durable when properly taken care of and isn't even near ready to be replaced after 9 years.
Note the location these comments come from...
Unfortunately, Rob - the originator of the thread - doesn't indicate the location of his 42 footer. So far, the other comments all come from higher latitudes with seasonal climates and limited exposure to U/V - which may be why Sunbrella receives solid reviews. If Rob has his boat in SoCal or the Gulf Coast, as 2 examples, where U/V is heavier for more extended periods, he might be disappointed by Sunbrella's lifespan. I recently took a small poll among sailors in the Caribbean & Florida as our Sunbrella/Goretex thread bimini and dodger are growing very, very tired, yet they are only 5 years old. 'Yup, 5 years - that's about it' said most who responded. We're about to go with new canvas as well but we'll look at other options before choosing Sunbrella again. It's great stuff and looks great, but we were very impressed with Stamoid dodgers we often saw on European boats that lasted far longer. There's also a new lighter-weight product available now (name escapes me as I write this) that has a long history as a favored awning material but is now being selected for dodgers & biminis. I guess the suggestion I'd offer to Rob is: look at the alternatives for your area and intended use. Oh, and don't forget the Goretex thread - that has worn like iron. Jack
Unfortunately, Rob - the originator of the thread - doesn't indicate the location of his 42 footer. So far, the other comments all come from higher latitudes with seasonal climates and limited exposure to U/V - which may be why Sunbrella receives solid reviews. If Rob has his boat in SoCal or the Gulf Coast, as 2 examples, where U/V is heavier for more extended periods, he might be disappointed by Sunbrella's lifespan. I recently took a small poll among sailors in the Caribbean & Florida as our Sunbrella/Goretex thread bimini and dodger are growing very, very tired, yet they are only 5 years old. 'Yup, 5 years - that's about it' said most who responded. We're about to go with new canvas as well but we'll look at other options before choosing Sunbrella again. It's great stuff and looks great, but we were very impressed with Stamoid dodgers we often saw on European boats that lasted far longer. There's also a new lighter-weight product available now (name escapes me as I write this) that has a long history as a favored awning material but is now being selected for dodgers & biminis. I guess the suggestion I'd offer to Rob is: look at the alternatives for your area and intended use. Oh, and don't forget the Goretex thread - that has worn like iron. Jack
Dodger front window - Lexan
Ever see a dodger with a real glass-like front window? It is lexan, not vinyl. It can bend and it is darn near like glass and is clear like glass. The vinyl has to go on the sides but vinyl on the front is not the way to go. Additionally, do not use anything other than 1" stainless for the piping.
Ever see a dodger with a real glass-like front window? It is lexan, not vinyl. It can bend and it is darn near like glass and is clear like glass. The vinyl has to go on the sides but vinyl on the front is not the way to go. Additionally, do not use anything other than 1" stainless for the piping.
Lexan front window?
I'm sure you're mistaken. Lexan doesn't bend. A thin sheet will bend a little, but it won't roll up.
I'm sure you're mistaken. Lexan doesn't bend. A thin sheet will bend a little, but it won't roll up.
Will lift, not roll.
It does not roll up. Yet it gives enough to follow the contour of the forward port and starboard dodger windows. The center window can be unzipped and unclipped from the deck and lifted and is held with velcro to open up and get air and breeze through when necessary. The "glass" is known a Super Clear and we have had it on our last two boats and feel sorry for the folks that elect to use vinyl. We do pay a bit extra to have this on the front openings. Look around the marina and you will notice the boats using Super Clear. Strata Glass is another brand name for the product. These are all considered optically clear.
It does not roll up. Yet it gives enough to follow the contour of the forward port and starboard dodger windows. The center window can be unzipped and unclipped from the deck and lifted and is held with velcro to open up and get air and breeze through when necessary. The "glass" is known a Super Clear and we have had it on our last two boats and feel sorry for the folks that elect to use vinyl. We do pay a bit extra to have this on the front openings. Look around the marina and you will notice the boats using Super Clear. Strata Glass is another brand name for the product. These are all considered optically clear.
Hard top?
Have you considered a hard top? You have the arch to connect to on the 42. We put one on our 450 with the fiberglass arch and it is one of the best things we have done. Full enclosure, with screens to keep the bugs out and the cat in. We were then able to put 550 watts of solar panel power on the top (ten 55-watt panels). We just got back from six months on the hook in the Bahamas and the top was fantastic. We used slightly tinted vinyl with sunbrella for the windows. A photo is attached.
Have you considered a hard top? You have the arch to connect to on the 42. We put one on our 450 with the fiberglass arch and it is one of the best things we have done. Full enclosure, with screens to keep the bugs out and the cat in. We were then able to put 550 watts of solar panel power on the top (ten 55-watt panels). We just got back from six months on the hook in the Bahamas and the top was fantastic. We used slightly tinted vinyl with sunbrella for the windows. A photo is attached.
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