High Top Camper Back

[Bill3558]

I finally got around to putting up my camper back on my new high top Cd-22 and was disappointed my head touches the top.
I read somewhere here of the "high top camper back". Can anyone enlighten me? I have emailed King Canvas but havent gotten a response yet. I wonder if mine can be converted or upgraded.

Thanks

[Valkyrie]

Bill,

I had the same problem and went with a custom camper back with 6'8" headroom (I'm 6'3"). We had the new stuff extend all the way to the transom and really love it.

I asked our canvas guy about making the mods that you suggest and he said that it couldn't be done economically, would look terrible and refused to do it. He is also someone that has done work for us before and I trust him. Pictures are in our album.

We sold the factory camperback here on-line and went with new canvas. Good luck.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[Bill3558]

Nick, looking at your pix, that is exactly what I need. Love the idea of the gap for airflow between the roof and bimini.


Thanks for the ideas. I'll see if I can find a good canvas person around here, show them your picture and say "do that"!

Do you think your guy might have saved the pattern?

Thanks,

Bill

[Valkyrie]

Bill,

No patterns, he does everything as a one-off, even for mass production boats. In fact, a few C-Brats contacted him about duplicating my camperback, but he won't make canvas unless he has their boat at his place and can install it himself. I even offered to trailer my boat to his place to help out. He's particular, but very good.

He will, however, duplicate the hatch screens and send those out. I understand a number of people have taken advantage of that service.

A suggestion: have your guy make a couple of hanging loops for hanging up wet foul weather gear to dry or make a provision (short straps with a grommet attached) so you can add add an "s" hook for a hanger for the same purpose. It's an idea I had AFTER it was made!

Hope this helps.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[C-Hawk]

Bill,
We had our camper back custom made. It covers the whole stern of the boat and is tall enough to wear my hat inside. Check out the photos i our album.

[pcator]

Do most of you with camper tops roll them up on the frame when not in use? Or do you take them down completely?

Patrick

[Valkyrie]

Patrick,

We secure ours to the frame and cover it with a boot. The only time I take it off completely is for winter storage or when we go out fishing for the day with a number of people. Otherwise, it takes up too much room.

Nick

[Chuckpacific]

I'm always amazed when someone buys a C-Dory and goes with a generic canvas camper back. If they felt they had to economize and buy a cheap one how did they come up with the other $45,000+ for the boat? The best solution is to think about exactly what they want in a camper back, look at enough pics in here to refine the idea, talk to other C-Brats (Bill -Da Nag, saved me big time by suggesting a large, deep rear window so that I could see my twin 40s 'pissing' when the back cover was on) and finally spend the extra dough to get a custom cover. Talking to a real, live professional can clear up misconceptions. Nothing is worse than living with a problem that could have been avoided.

Chuck

[Valkyrie]

Chuck,

You're assuming that people buy the factory canvas to save money, which was not the case for us, and probably most people.

When we ordered our boat the canavs was not on the models that we saw and we had no idea of its limitations. Plenty of people are happy with it, including the C-Brat in Alaska who bought our factory canvas.

I spent hours on this site before we ordered our boat and had not encountered one thread that suggested that there were any negative aspects with the canvas.

I, for one, wished that someone had recommended otherwise. Hopefully, those ordering boats will see this and benefit from our experiences.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[Chuckpacific]

Nick...you're right. I realize that new boat owners see the need for the camper canvas and go with what the dealer suggests. I was as excited as anyone when I took delivery of mine and tried to restrain myself from adding too many options until I had a chance to get my sea legs. But in over 4 years of owning my boat, attending C-Brat functions and reading input to the website I have found that customizations are the rule with these amazing little boats and the solutions to common problems/situations take many forms.

Chuck

[thataway]

Very wise advice to have canvas made specifically for your needs. I agree that the ability to have an air slot between the back of the boat and the bimini is very important in warm weather. This also means that the Bimini needs to be free standing (supports in front and back, or at least straps which keep it fully tensioned). Each person has different needs for the sides--some want screen, other large windows which zip up, others want areas for fishing rods to be placed when the top is up etc.

The Prebuilt camper backs are cheaper--and it some boats they are fine, if they have all of the features which are important. Everyone has their own needs.

We leave our canvas up all of the time when the boat is in the lift. For the C Dory22 we had a slant back for storage and trailering. For the TC 255 we have a boot for the canvas and lower it to the back so it is out of the high wind velocity area when towing.

[Luna C]

I bought my camper back at the Factory garage sale last year for $40 and had King Marine do the stainless for it. We don't use it much but it is nice to have in the winter or boat camping in foul weather. I don't want all of the extras - just more to dry & store properly.

I think the camperback can be a pain to deal with much of the time. Often we will only bring and use the top, bimini style. As cool as some of the camperbacks are, I'm glad mine is simple! No frills here!

OK, JANET really likes it, but I probably never would have added that feature. Or, I'd try and get Red Fox to fix me up a REAL top!

Get what you want, enjoy what you get, to each his own. And go to a brat gathering and climb in a bunch of C-Dorys to check out all of the great ideas and features. They are many!

[mwilson]

Factory Garage sale? Is that an annual event? mbw

[SENSEI]