Cockpit Enclosure

[Windward Star]

I’m beginning the process of creating a new dodger, bimini, and cockpit enclosure. The problem I see in designing the enclosure is that portions of the cockpit coaming are within the boundary of the lifelines and portions are outside the life lines/stern rail. I have the cutter version so don’t have to work around a mizzen, does anyone have pictures of their full enclosure? I’m looking for some ideas.
Thanks
James
Windward Star
Hull # 220

[typhoontye]

Hello James,

 

Our PO took the approach depicted in the atch picture.  A track is screwed to the coaming all around and a ‘bolt rope’ type arrangement is at the bottom edge of the side and aft panels. The panels slip in at the bottom and zip to the bimini at the top.  Works pretty well, but sometimes a struggle to get it all together and zipped up.  We learned to start all the zippers (barely) first, then once they are all started we can zip them up and have a pretty tight ‘greenhouse’.  Super nice in the winter.  The positioning of the side panels is not ideal from the standpoint that when you sit with your back against the coaming, your upper back contacts the panel.  We sort of solve by putting cockpit pillows behind our backs which works pretty well.  Thankfully, the 424 cockpit seats are generously wide, so this isn’t awkward.  When we have a crowd on board when the enclosure is up, we line the coaming with various throw pillows and it actually looks pretty good and seats well.

 

David

 

Attachments:

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[Windward Star]

Hi David,

Kedder track is a great idea for connecting the curtains, hadn’t thought of that. The track must help to keep water out?

I’m looking for the greenhouse effect for the winter months. I plan to create screen panels for the summer. 

[typhoontye]

Roger on the water intrusion.  That is, it is pretty darn water tight.  Our only water intrusion is around the mizzen…haven’t broken that code yet.

 

David

 

[RichCarter]

 

I have a sloop.  I had an enclosure built for me several years ago.  I don’t have photos handy.  I’ll try to remember to take some.

 

The top of the dodger has a zipper and the bimini has zippers along all four sides.  A windscreen zips in the front of the bimini and top zipper of the dodger.  In rain underway, I install this extra wind-screen to keep much of the rain out of the cockpit when underway.  Visibility through the plastic windows is difficult in rain.  The RADAR helps a lot when underway in rain.

 

In hot weather, the dodger windscreen unzips and rolls-up.  A screen zips in there to catch the breeze.

 

A mosquito netting enclosure zips into the bimini and runs around the other three sides.  Snaps run along the top of the coaming similar to the channel that is shown in the attachment.  The enclosure snaps to these.  The most forward snap is a lift-the-dot.  When set, the enclosure makes the cockpit bug-proof.  It provides some protection in light rain but isn’t intended to make it weather proof.  The snaps are a pain in the butt (pun intended) if you sit on the coaming.  We have small cushions that can be placed there.

 

All hatches below have screens so the boat is entirely bug-proof.  I hate bugs.

 

Rich

 

 

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