340 Camper Enclosure

Korkie

Active Member
Feb 2, 2016
1,329
Leonardtown, MD Potomac River / Chesapeake Bay
Boat Info
2006 340 Sundancer, Garmin 7610, xHD 24 Radar, VV703, SeaStar Hydraulic Steer, Shadow Drive AP
Engines
Mercruiser 496 Mags
Bravo III Drives
So this years project is to add a full camper canvas to our 2006 340. Since there is not a template from Sea Ray as this was never an option, we are going the Custom route. If any 340 owners or past owners out there have an pics or suggestions as we are in the designing stage, any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Korkie
 
If you look at my profile pic....mine came with only the camper canvass. We like the top up most of the time as well. But..when it was time to leave we would use the mooring cover which is a pain. I had an extra zipper sewn in under the camper top and I bought the aft curtain. We get the best of best since to zip up the aft curtain is easier than the mooring cover or the camper canvas when it's time to go.
 
Wow, so many options so little time...

Not knowing your current setup

Your first step is to consider the overall use and desires for the implementation. For example, do you want a traditional rear camper frame or do you want a extended sunshade frame. Do you want the camper to fold away to open up the back or stay in place?

Regardless, consider your regular use. I would recommend two panels on each side zippered to allow step access to the bow or off the boat. Smaller panels are also easier to handle if you are taking them up and down and a more rectangular rear portion rolls up and store nice leaving smaller triangles that may even be able to stay in place

Next consider your panels themselves, do you want solid, eisenglass, zippered windows, screens and what combinations. For the camper top do you plan on leaving it up or folding it back. If it is always up you may wish to consider a solid top extending from the arch back. If you want to open up the rear for sun then possibly just a sunshade extension. As far as side curtains and aft curtains go, if you plan on taking them on and off or rolling them up I would go with a thinner guage eisenglass as the thicker you go the harder it is to handle. If you are

So, if you are going full custom there are lots of options to think through.

-Kevin
 
On my 380, I went with polycarbonate for the 5 pieces in front of the arch, and isinglass for the rear. Then had a complete set of screens that zip in that are interchangeable with the glass panels. So I can mix and match to get a breese through and don’t have to look through the screens when using the glass
 

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Thanks to all for the input. Chris - your design is exactly what we were looking at doing. Although we were doing the screened windows. We like your idea with the isinglass and screen panels be independent of each other and being smaller sections. Would have never thought of that. Forwarded your pics to our canvas guy and are hoping to get started soon. Love it. Many Thanks.
 
The back of my boat's canvas is fastened to the stern with nylon bungies that attached to posts, rather than traditional snaps. My canvas top is black so it lengthens and shortens significantly with the heat. The bungies are perfect in that location since they put tension on the back and have some give. Plus they are really easy to pop off when I need to raise the engine hatch.
 
Thanks to all for the input. Chris - your design is exactly what we were looking at doing. Although we were doing the screened windows. We like your idea with the isinglass and screen panels be independent of each other and being smaller sections. Would have never thought of that. Forwarded your pics to our canvas guy and are hoping to get started soon. Love it. Many Thanks.
https://clearstow.com/product/clearstow-bag/
Here is what I use to store the eisenglass
A little pricey for custom size, but really works good to protect your investment. I had one made with 5 pockets, and another made larger.
Glad to help. When we stay on the hook. I put all the screens up, keeps the bugs down tremendously. They did make a flap at the door to really seal that up compared to the way the factory cover left some space, 340 may be a little different. I can take a pic this weekend it you need it
 
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Tacoma - we have the same posts and will be using them. Chris - the Clearstow bag is really nice. Once we get the curtain sizes from the canvas shop I will see how many of them I need. Will certainly get 1, but may need up to 3.
Thanks.
 
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My first boat I went with full canvas, glass and screens. Over the years I discovered that the glass was a pia to zip up after every outing and we didn't really use the screens that much. We like everything off when going out. This time I went with full canvas for the dock and have glass to put in if I need to. I've never used it. All canvas is 10 times easier to zip back in. Takes 10 minutes. Easy to store and believe it or not the privacy is great to have when in marinas for the night.
 
Tacoma - we have the same posts and will be using them. Chris - the Clearstow bag is really nice. Once we get the curtain sizes from the canvas shop I will see how many of them I need. Will certainly get 1, but may need up to 3.
Thanks.
i bought 4 of them
i with 5 pockets that i use for the Front 5 pieces (polycarbonate) that we lay in the aft cabin, since we can roll them up

2 with 3 pockets that are the stock size (i put the 2 left side rear in 1 and 2 rear rear side in the other,

last i have an over sized one with 3 pockets for the rear pieces.

They recommend storing rolled and standing up, so that they don't get flat spots....

i think i had a grand in them, worth every penny...
 
https://clearstow.com/product/clearstow-bag/
Here is what I use to store the eisenglass
A little pricey for custom size, but really works good to protect your investment. I had one made with 5 pockets, and another made larger.
Thanks for posting that. I just ordered three new windshield sections, both side curtains and bimini. My fast back is new and has glass in it also. I've been trying to figure out how to keep them safe. Roll them in sheets etc? This is a great method. Five sections would be perfect for me too. Who knows, I might have my wife fire up her sewing machine. They wouldn't be hard to make.
 
Thanks for posting that. I just ordered three new windshield sections, both side curtains and bimini. My fast back is new and has glass in it also. I've been trying to figure out how to keep them safe. Roll them in sheets etc? This is a great method. Five sections would be perfect for me too. Who knows, I might have my wife fire up her sewing machine. They wouldn't be hard to make.
I use Clearstow for my glass panels and are really happy with them.
 
Thanks for posting that. I just ordered three new windshield sections, both side curtains and bimini. My fast back is new and has glass in it also. I've been trying to figure out how to keep them safe. Roll them in sheets etc? This is a great method. Five sections would be perfect for me too. Who knows, I might have my wife fire up her sewing machine. They wouldn't be hard to make.

I just got all new canvas and Isinglass, so I keep it wrapped around a 10" sonotube (4 feet long). It's compact but not too tight a radius where you get any creases.
 
I just got all new canvas and Isinglass, so I keep it wrapped around a 10" sonotube (4 feet long). It's compact but not too tight a radius where you get any creases.
What do you put in between the Sono tube and the glass?
 
I did my 310 a couple years ago. I added snap on privacy covers for the clear curtains. A few things to consider...
- For the curtains above the windshield, I went with the thicker 40 mil 'glass' since this is where you least want any crinkling to appear.
- I would not consider a rollup for those same curtains for the same reason. Just have them completely removable.
- if your only access to the bow is along the sides, make sure they leave a large enough opening in the rear side curtains for you to easily unzip and pass through.
- make sure they use Pull It Up fasteners for all corners and stress points.
- buy yourself a good set of snap pliers and matching snaps. Some snaps will pull out on occasion.
 
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What do you put in between the Sono tube and the glass?

When the pieces arrived from GLBT, they had layers of soft foam sheet in between so I use those. I don't see them lasting too long though. I'll probably switch to bubble wrap.
 
When the pieces arrived from GLBT, they had layers of soft foam sheet in between so I use those. I don't see them lasting too long though. I'll probably switch to bubble wrap.
You might want to look at something softer. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I feel like bubble wrap would be to harsh.
I'm sewing up a divided holder with sleeves made from fleece.
 
You might want to look at something softer. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I feel like bubble wrap would be to harsh.
I'm sewing up a divided holder with sleeves made from fleece.

Good point!
 
I use some flat sheets between a couple of like-size pieces and generously roll them up.
 

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