tom cat camper cover
- Thread starter jimmydj
- Start date
thataway
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2003
- Messages
- 21,736
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- 101
- C Dory Year
- 2007
- C Dory Model
- 25 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- DOR25652A707
- Vessel Name
- thataway
There are several photos in the "Thataway" Album:
This is a custom built unit by a local canvas maker: Pedersen Canvas. I feel that the quality, fit and finish is better than the "factory" units. The vinly is thicker and better quality, the material is Sunbrella plus, which is water proof. The windows on the sides are intentionally made smaller for privacy, but the window size is optional.
The top is also free standing, which is a plus, in hot weather, you have ventaillation in the cockpit--yet sun shade--with the front pannel removed there is free flow of air thru the aft cockpit area.
This is a custom built unit by a local canvas maker: Pedersen Canvas. I feel that the quality, fit and finish is better than the "factory" units. The vinly is thicker and better quality, the material is Sunbrella plus, which is water proof. The windows on the sides are intentionally made smaller for privacy, but the window size is optional.
The top is also free standing, which is a plus, in hot weather, you have ventaillation in the cockpit--yet sun shade--with the front pannel removed there is free flow of air thru the aft cockpit area.
DaveInRI
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- Barrington, RI
- C Dory Year
- 2005
- C Dory Model
- 22 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- CDO22275K405
Hi, Bob. I've read several of your posts on camper tops and was curious why you went with this wagon top structure vs a cantilever option for your cockpit enclosure. Do you think one type is better suited for a C-Dory 22 (the boat, not the owner)? I'm pretty "hot in the sun" intolerant, but also boat in an area with a maddening number of gnats/noseeums, and so the romantic imagery of folding a Bimini down at night to look at the stars would soon be regretted, meaning I don't need the folding convenience of a Bimini. While I'd prefer the hardtop version like on a Rosborough, I concede that less weight above the center of gravity is better, and will go with a modern canvas-type material over a metal frame, and incorporate some of the suggestions from the forum. I need to think a bit more on what we specifically want/need as users, and will go custom by a local maker, but I was wondering if you had any strong recommendations for or against your wagon top type and/or the cantilever like C-Otter and others. Also, with your front panel removed, could you motor around without much fanfare/flapping of the main soft top? Thank you for sharing more of that big boat brain of yours with the rest of us!
thataway
Well-known member
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- 21,736
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- C Dory Year
- 2007
- C Dory Model
- 25 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- DOR25652A707
- Vessel Name
- thataway
To answer the question about Bimini frame ve canteleavered frame--two reasons--1. I like to have an open cockpit when fishing. 2. The Top could be an issue when trailering if left up in a cantaleavered framework. 3. The cantieavered is more expensive, and can be more difficut for boarding.
Yes you. can power with the front panel removed--and I have done this a number of times on all of my C Dorys. However the canvas needs to be rolled up or even removed for trailering long distances and at highere speeds.
Yes you. can power with the front panel removed--and I have done this a number of times on all of my C Dorys. However the canvas needs to be rolled up or even removed for trailering long distances and at highere speeds.
Gulfcoast John
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- 255 Tomcat
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- CAT 'O MINE
Hi Jim,
The best mod EVER for us for 13 trailer boats over 45 years of marriage was our all-Phifertex 9-panel modular camperback that zips and bungees to the existing (King Canvas Seattle) bimini top in under 10 minutes by one person. No one can see in at all, yet we can see out. It attenuates but doesn’t stop the breeze. Rain slides down it and off the boat. It’s plastic and never gets mildewed. We can put up or take down any combination…for instance, just one panel to block a streetlamp or dockmate view. Each panel weighs less than two pounds and can be tightly folded (unlike clear vinyl) into a bag that fits perfectly under the Nav person’s feet. It’s insect proof (except, as always, for no-see-ums for the hour at sunrise and sunset when you’re backed up to a mangrove swamp in the Keys. In that situation, a tactical nuclear device is also not sufficient). Panels are measured to allow an egress panel on each side (at the steps) as well as the aft dive ladder/engine bracket. We’ve never seen anything quite like it. If you have the original 2007 bimini, or if it’s over ten years old or there’s thin spots I’d advise replacing it at the same time at a really good canvas shop since it’s technically challenging to make it perfect. The mini bungees (instead of snaps) are also a Sailrite product. We don’t fish, but for cruising it’s so much more versatile than a typical camperback since 2020. Most are so cumbersome you dread erecting it and therefore you just don’t.
https://www.sailrite.com/?ref=BONUS&gad_source=1
PM me if you want to chat.
John
The best mod EVER for us for 13 trailer boats over 45 years of marriage was our all-Phifertex 9-panel modular camperback that zips and bungees to the existing (King Canvas Seattle) bimini top in under 10 minutes by one person. No one can see in at all, yet we can see out. It attenuates but doesn’t stop the breeze. Rain slides down it and off the boat. It’s plastic and never gets mildewed. We can put up or take down any combination…for instance, just one panel to block a streetlamp or dockmate view. Each panel weighs less than two pounds and can be tightly folded (unlike clear vinyl) into a bag that fits perfectly under the Nav person’s feet. It’s insect proof (except, as always, for no-see-ums for the hour at sunrise and sunset when you’re backed up to a mangrove swamp in the Keys. In that situation, a tactical nuclear device is also not sufficient). Panels are measured to allow an egress panel on each side (at the steps) as well as the aft dive ladder/engine bracket. We’ve never seen anything quite like it. If you have the original 2007 bimini, or if it’s over ten years old or there’s thin spots I’d advise replacing it at the same time at a really good canvas shop since it’s technically challenging to make it perfect. The mini bungees (instead of snaps) are also a Sailrite product. We don’t fish, but for cruising it’s so much more versatile than a typical camperback since 2020. Most are so cumbersome you dread erecting it and therefore you just don’t.
https://www.sailrite.com/?ref=BONUS&gad_source=1
PM me if you want to chat.
John
