Author Topic: Underway with cockpit enclosure up?  (Read 1641 times)

MagicalArmchair

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Underway with cockpit enclosure up?
« on: February 27 2022, 11:31 »
When it’s rainy or cold at night, or on a longer passage where visibility isn’t so critical, does anyone keep their cockpit enclosure up in some part or all park whilst underway?

My preference would be down at all times, however it might make the kids feel more secure underway when there is a swell running

Yngmar

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Re: Underway with cockpit enclosure up?
« Reply #1 on: February 27 2022, 11:43 »
Our cockpit tent isn't suitable for that as it obstructs the winch handles from turning 360 degree. Even if it wasn't, you wouldn't be seeing much from in there other than forwards through the glass windscreen.

There's been some passages where it would've been nice to have that. Here in the Med it's normal (essential even) to leave the Bimini up at all times and some boats have nice Biminis that can be turned into more or less full enclosures by zipping on side panels. That solution would probably work, but difficult to design for a center cockpit boat with end-boom mainsheet. They're also huge and have to be taken down in a storm or get damaged.

On the other hand, the centre cockpit feels very secure underway :)

A different solution I liked was to simply have a rear panel zipped onto the sprayhood, enclosing a smaller area of the cockpit two people can shelter in, easily pop out to grab the helm and keep watch. RAN sailing has that sort of setup. It also has the benefit of much less windage than the bigger enclosures. Not big enough to stretch out for a nap though.
(formerly) Sailing Songbird  ⛵️ Bavaria 40 Ocean (2001)

geoff

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Re: Underway with cockpit enclosure up?
« Reply #2 on: February 27 2022, 13:32 »
On my 40cc we have a rear zip in enclosure for the back of the hood, it is as Yngmar said but zips onto the hood and has a zip down the center, being made of heavy gauge clear plastic it is good to st behind and watch the rain, in UK it is used a LOT. Geoff

nightowle

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Re: Underway with cockpit enclosure up?
« Reply #3 on: March 01 2022, 04:42 »
During winter months we use our full enclosure quite frequently during a passage.  The side curtains have zips and snaps that allow us to pin back (or forward to the sprayhood - as the case may be) when we want access to the winches or cleats for docking. We travel through the locks here in Seattle to move out to the saltwater Sound.  We did this only yesterday motoring through the locks both outbound and home. 
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Seattle, WA USA

MagicalArmchair

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Re: Underway with cockpit enclosure up?
« Reply #4 on: March 05 2022, 23:30 »
Thank you all, I have instructed the fine folk at Wilkinson Sails to get the task underway.