I am adding panels to my dodger/bimini set-up to create a full enclosure on my 30 Ultra. I have reviewed a number of photos of our boats and have gleaned some good ideas (like the main-sheet winch chafe panel on Persistence).
My question - for those with full enclosures, are you able to sail with the enclosure in place?
My concern is the main-sheet damaging/rubbing the ‘glass’ on any tack where the boom is forward of a close-reach…
As the main-sheet cuts across the corners of the combing when on beam-reach or running, can you sail on these tacts with the enclosure in place? Or is it not possible without damaging the ‘glass’?
I am meeting tomorrow morning with my canvas person, so any input/experience you may provide will be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks!,
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKEWALK III 30 Ultra 430 1987
Jersey City, NJ
Peter, We’ve had a full cockpit enclosure for 8 years or so and sail with it all up several times each year without many problems. Our canvas encloses just the area within the cockpit coaming and we have a Cressman boom extension. This setup minimizes but doesn’t quite eliminate chafe on the enclosure when sailing off the wind. The biggest issue we have with ours is the main boom block and sheet chewing up the upper aft part of the bimini if we ease the choker too much when raising or dousing the sail, especially in rough seas.
If you spend much time on your boat, you’ll love the extra usable space an enclosure will provide you in inclement weather and soon learn to deal with any issues that may crop up. Good luck.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Traverse City / Suttons Bay, MI
We installed a full enclosure on SaSeaCat 3 seasons ago and sail with all the panels closed when the weather is bad (cold or raining) without problem.
We had a slit cut in the panel to allow the sheet to move to/from the winch and a sacrificial panel installed. The main area where there is rubbing is across the aft panel when on a run. That panel saw damage but not a hole until this year. We had it repaired and installed a sacrificial panel but I think it will wear through in a few years. We also have a boom extension to allow the sheet to clear the back of the Bimini but we still need some choker tension to clear the bimini.
At dock, we make sure the sheet is clear by adding a bit of choker before leaving the boat. We also have a sacrificial strip at that location.
We have windows in the bimini to allow clear view of the sail.
With those features we are snug as bugs sailing in inclement weather with all the panels installed.
With my NS22, when the boom is forward of a close-reach, I need to remove the two aft panels and release the rear of the side panels to prevent the main-sheet from rubbing too much.
We have no issues at all with our Genco bimmini/dodger sailing with is fully up, however I dislike sailing that way as I like to feel the wind. We will sail with the front window removed all the time as well . So there is a progression to it, first the front window goes in and that cuts the cold wind, then the top bimmini to dodger window if it is raining then the rest if need be.
One thing is we have to watch it when we reef as we need to hoist the topping lift or it will hit the aft bimini bar.
We use the full enclosure all summer at anchor when it rains. To avoid putting up the 6 pieces just keep bugs out Debbie has fashioned a massive screen that goes over the dodger and bimini. Small weights hold it in place. We have sailed with this as well and it often cuts the wind just enough to make it pleasant.
Stows in a bag the size of a basketball, Takes 2 minutes to put up or take down . If anyone is interested I can get Debbie to make up a list of materials and instructions.
Peter, As a former owner of a 30C I have attached a photo showing the enclosure that was on my boat 16 years ago. We could sail with the enclosure up and it was nice in cold weather and rain.
No-See-UM Mosquito Netting Bought it from Seattle Fabrics. I have seen it done in white but white blocks the sun and view more than the black does. So I used black.
Measure across the bimini and from front to back across the dodger and bimini and add 12 inches to each measurement. Make the screen a square of the largest measurement. Making it square means no fiddling with side to side or front to back. You could make a rectangle but would need to have a easy way to identify front from back. When the bugs come out time is of the essence.
The fabric is 54 inches so the panels are french seamed together, I did it in the basement as there was room to lay it all out. I have 4 panels on our 26 and used Tenara thread so it is uv proof. I sewed it up on my Bernina.
I have sailed in 15 - 20 K and no problems other watching that the sheet does not get tangled when adjusting the sail. We can sit out after sunset and be bug free as putting it up and down takes a minute. I stow it in a nylon draw bag about 24" round made of old sail cloth.
Debbie,
Thank you for the tips on the bug screen. I did not know that white blocked the sun and view more than black.
For La Reina we went with the low end approach. At a store called Ed’s Linens we bought a double bed sized mosquito net. It came with a hope that we do not use.
Nesta sewed some coloured beads on the entry so we could easily find it when putting the net up. I use a small carabiner to hang the net from one of the lazy jacks and then we use clothes pins to hold it down.
If we plan to use the barbie for cooking I put the opening at the stern. It stores in a mess bag that used to hold a
pair of bedroom slippers.
We have had it up in about 15 knots of breeze but it can not be up for sailing. We have found that it does block the breeze to some extent so it makes the cockpit a bit warmer. It proved its worth when we ended up in the middle of a mating flight of flying ants.
Hi Peter, just back from an “out of sight, out of mind” visit to Florida, so missed your post. A full enclosure is like a screened-in porch in your home. You will rarely dine below again. It extends your season because weather is not as much as a factor. When planning, have your mainsheet line set up so the enclosure can be designed around it. Be sure to stand at each end of the cockpit to measure a comfortable height. If you wear a hat measure the height with the hat on to be sure you have adequate clearance. Be sure to sit at the helm and try to visualize your view. The enclosure that our boat came with tapered towards the bow and we were constantly bending down to look forward. We made sure our new enclosure gave us a good view when standing. Be sure to have an inspection window with a cover flap that allows you to see the mast and sail from the helm.
Phil Harmeson
Catharsis. 30 Ultra #295 1985
Traverse City, Michigan
