"Joe" wrote in message
oups.com...

John Cairns wrote:
I could see something like this on my boat with the addition
of screens, to keep the bugs out.


http://www.sailnet.com/collections/a...eid=jkrets0063


Thats how I started John, And it aint worth the investment!

They leak ,fall apart, are hard to fit, mold, rott ect. And did I say
leak?, because if I did not, i better say it again, they LEAK!!!

Yeah, they leak, but they keep you a lot dryer than no protection at all,
and I know how difficult they can be to fit.Coming back from San Sal we had
waves that would wash over the enclosure completely, but we still managed to
stay relatively dry. Also keeps you out of the sun, and with the type on the
Kaufman, the panel between the dodger and bimini can be removed, folding
down the bimini and removing the overhead and side screens leaves the
cockpit mostly open for nice days.

If you want a dry wheelhouse you have to go with a total hard top.
My pilot house can be removed with 6 bolts and an afternoon's work...
and be put on the dock.

Half a day would be a lot of time to spend removing the top, where do you
store it if you're going on an extended cruise? Once you get past the
initial expense, you should expect the canvas to last for at least 5 years
or so, if you've picked the right material. And one final thing, a hard
enclosure on my boat (28') would probably look awful.

My Wheelhouse is always DRY,COOL or WARM. Large clear hatch to
stargaze, Huge rool up Sunbrella canvas sides and stern hatch, the
windshield open forward for great air flow. Great all around
visibility. And since we live aboard this is allot of extra...
enjoyable.... living space.

Infact if you search google images for "RedCloud sailboat" you will see
the top I ended up tossing in a dumpster.

Mark my word! Don't do it!

No, I probably won't go for a full enclosure, too much $$$$$$$$$

John Cairns


Joe



http://community.webshots.com/photo/...51754322gXYAOI

John Cairns