Wanted - Cockpit Canvas Details

W

Wanderer

New member
What provisions should I specify, with a local canvas company, when placing an order for installed “Camper Canvas”? I have in mind something like I see on the photos of Da Nag.

What dimensions should be met and what details should not be missed?

I expect to have the top up most of the time and expect to have the sides down at night and in nasty weather.

Are clear panels worth the bother? Netting?
 
I went with netting in the rear panel and will have netting put in the side panels. Here in So Cal we need the air flow and the netting does limit the wind in windy conditions. We also have it where we can cover the screen at night for privacy.
 
I don't have a c-dory yet but i have looked at a few. the set up that les at e.q.marine has is well thought out and versitile. the top will unzipp at the cabin from either side allowing easier access from the dock. the whole canvas can be unzipped from the cabin and the bows with out the removel of the bows from the boat . with the quick snap bow locks the bow can be removed or relocated quickly and easily. like i said i don't have a c-dory yet but when i order it will be with this canvas. les has a local guy make them. they are not the ones from the factory.
 
Hi George and Penny,
Not sure where you live as your profile doesn't indicate any "home port", however the canvas company that Les at EQ uses (that did the superb job on both "Da Nag" and "Sea Shift") is located in Oak Harbor, Washington. The company owners are Bob Price and Rick Karr. Their address is........The Canvas Riggers, 1401 S. E. Catalina # A-11, Oak Harbor, Wa. 98277. Their phone number is cell phone 360-672-4417. They also "fixed" me up with a matching cover for my radome so as to keep the bugs off the radome while trailering down the road. After having a camperback on my 16' that was only "clear" on the stern, I'm thoroughly enjoying having the "clear" side and rear panels on this one. (Much better when cruising for visibility of other vessels etc.). I also have "solid" panels that easily attach inside the clear panels if privacy is desired while at moorage. There are 11 sections (including the top) that make up this camperback which lends it to be extremely versatile. (Note: those 11 sections don't include the privacy panels). Perhaps this is confusing "on paper" but in real life it is extremely nice!
 
I can't add much to the above responses except to say I too bought through E.Q. Marine my boat and canvas covering. The cover is very well made and the design is superb. Highly recommend you take the advice of others given here.
 
I spoke with the owner of the canvas shop when I was last at EQ. He led me to believe they could make things up without the boat being there.

You would still need a canvas shop locally to install it. Still, given the great design Les came up with when working with these guys, and the excellent quality of work, I'd be tempted to go this route rather than work with a local shop exclusively.
 
:arrow: Roger on Fishtales,

Thanks for the response. We live in Annapolis, MD but will be taking the boat to Marathon FL, for the winter; that is, if Hurricane Ivan misses our condo. Bugs abound in the mangroves where we expect to cruise. We will first order netting, most likely on three sides. Privacy panels seem necessary.

How are they attached? Do you unzip the screens and zip in cloth panels or do you snap the cloth to the edges of the screen or glass panels? We are also considering glass panels to give us a little more living area in early Spring and late fall on the Chesapeake Bay.

:arrow: Starcrafttom, Dave S, baboos_boat, Da Nag,

I phoned Canvas Riggers and spoke with (Rick?). He said they need the boat to make the bows and materials. In any event, I can’t find a shop here who wants to install someone else’s work unless I’m willing to pay again for the profit they would have made fabricating the materials. The best places flat out refuse to do just the installation.

I too will specify unzipping the forward edge of the top piece and quick disconnects for the bows. Further, I will specify a frame like the one displayed among Da Nags photos.

The outfit that put together the dodger and bimini on my sailboat did great work. I plan to go to them will all the info I need. The problem, as I see it, is that neither they nor I have any experience using a C-Dory 22. I’m hoping for help from you guys to mitigate that deficiency.

So, what do I need to know that has not been said here or in CamperBack/ Canvas Work “viewtopic.php?t=662”?
 
George, I think that any canvas shop that's dealt with the vagaries of a sailboat, the compound curves and the differences, boat to boat will have an easy time with a C-Dory. Just pick someone you trust, tell them what you want and go for it....

Charlie
 
Charlie,

You are probably right. They don't have to allow for room to crank the winches. Still, I don't know enough about handling a small power boat to give good instructions. That warm fuzzy feeling eludes me.

Good luck with the surgery.

George
 
George, thanks for the good thoughts. You don't need to give them "instructions" A power boat is far simpler in deck arrangements than a sailboat is... Just tell them what you want, screen, clear, opaque, etc, zippers, access, etc. and let them do their thing. Canvas can always be changed. Don't forget you may need to get down into the boat from the dock when the cover is up.....access..!!

Charlie
 
The screen is sewn in the cover and the solid privacy curtan is sewn on at the bottom. We open it by releasing the twist snaps and rolling the solid down where we have straps to hold it in place. We are able to open 1/3, 2/3 and full open.
Here's a pic of the back from the inside
october03santabarbaracruise.msnw
at 2/3 open.
We have straps where we can roll the side and rear panels up and out of the way when the weather is nice, without taking them completely off.
 
Roger,

I did look at your album. You installation looks good. The image you embedded in your last post does not show.

Thanks for the details. That is what I'm looking for.

George
 
Dear George & Penny.

Regarding your aft canvas. Netting is an excellent option. I fish in Florida and often over-night near shore or spoil islands. Here we have 97 different types of insects. 96 bite or sting and the 97th swallows you whole! Over the years Iv'e found netting with some type of rollup or snap over window arrangement works best. The openings provide visibility while running and you can button up in bad weather.

If you are going thru the expense of canvas it's my humble opinion that it's better to do it right in the beginning that try to 'retro-fit' something later.

Good boating,

Cap'n Rich .)
 
Dogon dory,
I am in the process of ordering camperback canvas right now. So far this is what I have found out: King Marine Canvas makes the factory canvas for C-Dory. I talked to them last Friday and was told that some colors of canvas they have already made up and can/will ship to you. I have no experience with installation, but I would think it could be done by someone reasonably handy. The cost is quite a bit less from King than from Canvas Riggers. The top can be separated from the cabin top by a zipper which leaves a small strip still in the track atop the boat. There is an earlier discussion by Les from EQ about the features to get. I don't know how to do a link but it was in Apr 04 under Camper Back/Canvas Work.
 
I think that if you get the same stuff from King as the Riggers do at EQ the prices are close. They both make nice tops...

Les priced the King canvas with the upgraded glass, special glass in back, curtains all around, stainless, etc. for me... close.

Dusty
 
Hi Dan,

I'm planning to get a camper back for my classic 22' angler, too. Have you priced the canvas and tent shop here in Fairbanks for installation ?

I sure would appreciate any nformation you get from King on installation, etc.

Thanks,
Pat
 
I have the Les Lampman/EQ designed camperback cover which is made by Canvasriggers. A really well designed top and the execution/construction of it by Canvasrigger is great. King does a good job on their top as well but I thought the Les/Canvasriggers unit was more fully featured and the better fit for my purposes. They just went the extra mile in putting this together and in convenience, practicality, and execution, it's the best I've seen. Ingress or egress of the cockpit in a rainstorm is a piece of cake from either side, simply unzip a door and pop in or out with minimal exposure to the elements. All stainless hardware, special quality clear and heavy glass, and exceptional material and construction throughout, and great design and features. I got the "full meal deal", privacy covers, in the cockpit & all cabin glass, & screen for the opening front window. Visability is great all around. They also made me up a padded, snap on cover for the front window to protect them when traveling on the road. Following the lead of the inimitable captain of Sea Shift, this past week I ordered a cover for the radom to protect it from bugs when tooling on the highway.

I would think that Canvasriggers would be able to make a unit up for self-installation or installation by another shop without a problem. They have done a lot of them and would have the patterns down to a science. I'm
sure they would furnish ample instructions as well. I am really pleased with the unit in all respects.

I also had them make up a slant back cockpit cover as there are certain time when I want one. Here again, convenient! I can deploy the slant back cover without detaching the SS framework for the campertop. The canvas stores in the bunk area and the SS framework is completely out of the way.

I was puzzling how to handle the top in cases where I want neither the campertop or slant back deployed. Les came up with an easy solution & I now have a female QD attachment on the side of each gunwale just forward of the cabin bulkhead. I simply move the forward campertop fixture to those by the bukhead & fold the entire framework up close to the bulkhead securing it with a bungee on each side of the radar arch. Works great, quick, and walla!....a clear cockpit. Gives me room for my fish cleaning table, downriggers, etc.

Hey Dan, I wasn't aware you were interested in a camperback. You're welcome to check mine out anytime. It's not close enough to spring to deploy it all right now (too cold and not enough room under the A frame. But I could sure show you how the hardware is laid out and show you the material and construction of the top. Same goes for you Patrout.

Oh yeah, Dan, were you looking for a "ladder" for your boat? :lol:
 
Pat (Patrout),

We purchased a fully enclosed camperback from King Marine about a year ago. According to the owner at King Marine, we were the first pre 1987 22' C-Dory that was fitted with a Camperback. It was pricey, but turned out really nice. The owner said that he would keep the patterns from our boat for future 1986 and earlier buyers. Hopefully the price will be a little cheaper with the patterns already figured out. Check out our album "C-Lou" for King Marine's work.

Jon
 
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