Cockpit cover best practice?

Hi all,

I went through what I could find on the topic. So a summary and some questions and a request for all to join in with their experience or handy details that seem to work. Ordering covers from the US from Europe is slightly difficult and expensive, so I need to have one made locally and need some ideas.

1) most seem to prefer covering the windshield vs attaching from the top of the windshield (if snaps are already at the base, anybody with different thoughts?)
2) add reinforcement for support poles, even if its seems that they are not required (streching in time). Also around where the cover turns over the windshield. Anybody in favor of stringing the cover up from the arch? Have seen some of this instead of poles...
3) Nobody mentioned ventilation? I have seen them on some boats, why not?
4) Snug attachments to the arch seems unsolved. If just with snaps, surely rain comes in? I am thinkimg something similar as to how my canvas is attached to the arch or some type of bib. Speakers are left exposed. While they are typically Marine type, extra measure needed?
5) And best idea for the last, a zipper from the back to front allowing quick access for when you forget stuff in!

What else needs considering? Any nice pics of your genius applications?

Thanks, The Finn

Nice, typo in the title Sorry for all typos, am reaching reading glasses era, but still fighting on my mobile...

I prefer the snaps on top of the windshield. On my prior boat I found it difficult to reach over and snap/unsnap the cover.

I have support poles but rarely use them.

Where the cover wraps around the arch there are rubber gaskets sewn into the cover. They do a good job of keeping the rain out.

Good idea with the zipper. Better than crawling all the way in.

most seem to prefer covering the windshield vs attaching from the top of the windshield (if snaps are already at the base, anybody with different thoughts?)
I prefer covering the windshield, especially if boat is stored outdoors.

2) add reinforcement for support poles, even if its seems that they are not required (streching in time). Also around where the cover turns over the windshield. Anybody in favor of stringing the cover up from the arch? Have seen some of this instead of poles...
You need poles. Covering the arch would be nice, but that is a lot more cover and much harder to put on.
3) Nobody mentioned ventilation? I have seen them on some boats, why not?
If you use Sunbrella it breaths, no need for ventilation flaps.
4) Snug attachments to the arch seems unsolved. If just with snaps, surely rain comes in? I am thinkimg something similar as to how my canvas is attached to the arch or some type of bib. Speakers are left exposed. While they are typically Marine type, extra measure needed?
Rubber casgets like mentioned above - and snaps to keep it tight.
5) And best idea for the last, a zipper from the back to front allowing quick access for when you forget stuff in!
Yes - good ideal - it will be a weak point for leaks, so maybe on third up from stern.

Good points on the snap location, something to think about... Could someone take a pic of the rubber gaskets?

1) I prefer my cockpit cover to extend down to the base of the windshield. This gives the interior of my boat more UV protection.
2) 2 poles should be adequate for your size boat. (depending on the fabric used and how well the canvas maker was)
3) Venation is very inexpensive to add. I use the pole ventilation
4) I have a plastic c channel that runs along my arch. I have a narrow canvas piece with a zipper that slides into this. The cockpit cover than just zippers into this canvas piece. (I will get a picture this weekend as this probably does not make sense)
5) I just un snap when I need to go into the boat to get something. Zippers placed in a horizontal fashion tend to leak when it is raining out.

Thanks Andy for the comments and offering to take the pic. On horizontal zippers, a colar will probably eliminate the problem.