winter cruising canvas enclosure for 19

Robbi

I have been thinking of adding more enclosed space in my 19 for winter cruising, without having to put up the full camper back. The drop curtain really restricts the usable cabin space. I would like to sit in a comfortable chair and stay warm at the same time. For those of you that have never been on a 19 with the camper back up, and the drop curtain removed, it is a huge area!

I have thought of two options.

One would be a bimini at roof height with a camper back, much like Brock has on his 16. I think his boat looks great and I know he likes the functionality of this style of camper back.

This wouldn't be too much different than the camper back that I now have, except that it would have less windage, and would be a bit easier to heat with the Dickenson.

The second option would be a simple slant back like this one on the CD-16 Cachita

I just discovered the pictures of Cachita this am, and really like the simplicity of this enclosure, plus I wouldn't have the expense of the stainless bows. The drawbacks would be less room, but this would be for day cruising mostly, but I think that it would also work for some overnights. The Dickenson heater would have much less area to heat, and the added "greenhouse" panels would heat up nicely in the sun.

I would appreciate any thoughts on these two options from folks. Also, any ideas as to modifications to either of these enclosures.

Thanks in advance, Robbi

ps thanks to bambina and cachita for the photos

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject:

Another alternative would be a hybrid of the two styles you have shown.

Install a stainless steel "hoop" that attaches to the cabin top or sides, extending the cabin top a foot to foot and a half. This would be a canvas cover that a slant back style cover could hange off of.

Advantage is less windage when canvas is up, small area to heat, but enlarges the space a bit so people could still sit in the aft jump seats on the 19.

Another advantage would be stainless support that would be less in the way than the camper style, as the stainless bow attached to the cabin with a small angled piece attached from the overhead "hoop" to the cabin's aft edge.

It would also, without the slant back portion, make a nice sun shade to provide additional sun protection in nice weather.

Sorry, no pictures. If I find something similar I'll post.

Robbi · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject:

Matt, Thanks for the 3rd option. I think that you are right on with the need to enlarge the area more than the straight slant back would. One of the ideas that I have had is to add a dodger type top that the C-Dory Mar-T had. You might be familiar with that boat as it was from Port Orchard. I have not been able to find any pictures of the boat since Mike and Marty sold the boat, they closed their photo album. If anyone has a picture of Mar-T, I would sure appreciate seeing it.
The single bow idea sounds good. Does anyone have that kind of a set up on their boat? I would like to see a picture if possible.

Thanks, Robbi

Robbi · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject:

I found this photo of C-Pup with a dodger. Matt, is the rear bow on this set up what you were thinking of for the extension?

(Nice fish and nice top C-Pup! Thanks for photo)

Robbi

Robbi · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:16 pm Post subject:

I finally found a picture of Mar-T. Not a good close up of the top, but enough to get the basic idea.

I think that I would like something a bit more simple than a dodger, preferably using one short removable bow.
Still looking for ideas.

Robbi

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject:

I know you said you didn't want a wind sail but this really added a lot of room to Pats boat.

localboy · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

Robbi, personally I think the dodger-type top (Mar-T) with the sides of the camper (Brock's boat) is the best of both worlds. I've noticed that the camperback on our 25 extends straight off the roof and does not have the extra height of many others I've seen. Now I'm only 5'10 and I BARELY clear the SS frame. The extra 6" would've been a benefit.

Robbi · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

Here is a picture of my current camperback.

What I would like is a enclosure that had the same roof line as the boat, that would extend back about one foot, and then slope down to the motor well and connect using the existing fixtures. A dodger would be nice, but it would be more permanent, and it would get in the way of the fly rod when fishing when the top was down. Plus, I do not need added head room. A single bow (probably braced) that would support the roof line extension would be the simplist and least expensive option. The canvas would zip into the existing camperback zipper at the cabin lip, and have a zippered sleeve for the bow. Zippers down the slope line, and side zippers.
It would be most like Cachita's, but with a roofline extension.

As I look at the picture, I notice that the short armed bow in the existing canvas could probably be used for the roof extension bow. Hum.....

These are the lines that I am thinking of...

Robbi

hughpenk · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:25 am Post subject:

I am currently having a slant/back fabbed up like Cachitas but my canvas man felt that the large amount of clear plastic may have a tendency to shrink with sun exposure so I am having the windows made alittle smaller. My original slant\back (all sunbrella,no clear) seems to have shrunk and I was not able to snap it completley. $290 for one with a curved radius rectangular window and 2 triangle windows in the side--no screen.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

Robbi-

Your diagram is great, and almost exactly what I had in mind. I think that set up would give you a great deal of flexibility with your canvas options.

Robbi · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks for everyones ideas. This is coming together!

Robbi

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject: Snap tool

Robbi, if you do not have one, pick up one of the tools that are made to help fasten the snaps on canvas. The best ones functionally, have two ends. One for fastening from the inside, and the other for from outside.

Robbi · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

I have one. "Best Idea Under $20" winner in my book.

Robbi

Robbi · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject:

I talked with Dave at King Marine Canvas today and we have a plan for the winter canvas. I hope to have it done sometime in the next few weeks. I will post pictures when it is completed.

Robbi

mamalena

Hi
I asked for input re a cover for the boat as it is on a trailer in the drive and if that is the final decision I got good advice from the fellow CBrats who responded. I am now wondering if I should maybe just buy a camper canvas and use it to keep the rain and snow out of the back etc and not bother with the cover. I know UV is still an issue but we did not cover for summer with a tarp as we were out so much so it is really a winter issue. Is there a reason putting the camper canvas on all winter as it is parked on a trailer is a bad idea?
Thanks for any input. Seems if the tarp is close to 1000 and the camper is say 2500 might as well just get the camper canvas.
Les at EQ marine sure had some great ideas about camper canvas design. The unfortunate thing was the person who did the sewing is not doing it anymore but I really liked the functional design and his logic for it.
Leroy