Mic wrote:
....

The cruising logs I have read many have opted for a "hard dodger" or
commented that they might have prefered one. I have seen a few web
pages about building one...and well they can look OK or not visually
pleasing.


My boat has a "hardtop" which is really a 'glass platform supported by
heavy steel tubes. Its strong enough to walk on, large enough for
three solar panels, and ridged enough for the main traveler. Its
surrounded by canvas, with large windows and flys screens.

The way our cockpit is laid out, this has become an extra room. With
the full canvas surround, its possible to sail in freezing weather;
when the Sun hits the windows, it becomes a greenhouse.

The downside is that we tend to leave too much canvas up. Those who
sail these boats down south often remove all of the canvas for full
ventilation.

Its construction is far beyond my capabilities, especially since
windows and gutters are molded in, and carbon fibre is used to stiffen
it. If I had to do something like this myself, I would have someone
fabricate a strong frame in stainless, and then sew my own canvas
around it.

Here's a picture taken late in October, when the average gust in 18 knots:

http://www.sv-loki.com/Along_the_Way/surround.jpg