2007 Sundancer 380 Camper Canvas

S

Sundancer1344

New Member
Dec 28, 2010
13
Maryland
Boat Info
sundancer 38
Engines
8.1 mercruisers
Hello,
I'm looking for a camper for my 2007 380 sundancer. Does any one know if they are available and if yes, who manufactures them?
Thanks.
Tom
 
No.

Have to have them custom made. See a local guy, get highly involved, and search this site for several pages of great info.
 
Noticed you are in Maryland....There is a company I have seen on this site just recently from Conn. I looked at the work the did on a 420 and it looked really good. I agree with Hampton though get as local as you can and stay involved with the project. bristolupholsrty is his user name.
 
Taylormade used to sell a "FastBack", which is about your only hope for a factory made aft enclosure. They are sort of funky looking, the ones I've seen appeared to be a generic fit and the zippers were partially horizontal so they leaked like a seive.

My tops have always been custom fabricated to our specifications. That approach allows you to taylor the form and function to your particular needs and wants. For example, we worked with the canvas shop to position one of the support members so that it provided a hand hold for accessing the side deck, we chose a breathable but waterproof fabric, we wanted the profile to not look like a 1979 Ford station wagon, etc. With a factory top like the FastBack, you lose all opportunity for input into what you are buying.
 
HELP! I want to add a Camper back to our 2002 380, but I also want to be able to remove it and enjoy sunshine on warm days. Is this at all realistic or am I dreaming for something that can't be done? I am in Rochester NY and really struggling with a solution. One company that I hear does great work says they need to add a bow from from the radar arch with two vertical supports in the stern corners which will remain if we remove all the canvas. That's the part I'm most struggling with.

Any ideas/pics/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Trying to finalize a design this week to try and it built in mid-March.

Thanks!!
 
Camper backs by there nature will generally extend structure. This can be done by modifying the bow off the arch and supporting from below or adding a separate frame structure at the rear.

I have struggled with this myself and decided not to got that route on my 340SDA. We are going to fabricate a removable fly shade to provide temporary sun/light rain shelter but can be packed up an easily put away. Personally I love the open cockpit of the Sundancers and after having the camper on my old 260DA I was not sure I wanted to sacrifice that.

There was a recent discussion here about some ideas for this. Perhaps this is something you want to consider.

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/canvas-sun-shade-extension-question.88106/#post-994767

-Kevin
 
it's fairly common, i think, for a sunbrella type awning to be drawn back from the radar arch, with a support across the corners of the stern. that's what we have--and i think it was fairly standard in 1989, since our camper top (which we removed--just too many snaps and zippers to deal with at the end of the day!) zipped into it.
 
I don't have an arch, but did add a camper back to my 270 AJ. There was no factory option so I worked with a local fabricator to make a custom camper. It zips to the back of the bimini.

Originally we had it made just to extend the space when we sleep out on the boat - a fastback canvas is not great for using the cockpit space when covered. But we found that the top is highly useful for shade in the summer and leave it on all the time. We generally leave the top up for shade, and either roll up or remove the side and back panels. I do have zips in the windows and screens, but we get more air flow with the panels up/off. Plus it makes for easier conversation with our raft-mates.

If the Admiral wants some sun in the cockpit I can easily unzip the camper top and and stow it for the day. Here are some pics of my setup. I'm including a bunch so you can see the design, in case it helps you.

aj 4.JPG Aj 5.JPG Aj 6.JPG Aj 11 - Copy.JPG Aj 12.jpg Aj 38.jpg Aj 39.jpg Aj 40.jpg


There are some more photos in my Yachtworld listing as well.
 
B_arrington,
Thanks for posting these pics, they are exactly what I would like to add to my 2004 320 SD. We are located on South East CT, not so far from LI.

Would you think your canvas guy would travel to Stamford to measure ? Would like to have done before we wrap the boat for winter? Not sure if you are comfortable sharing Your canvas guys contact info.
Thanks very much,
Skip54
 
Skip54 said:
B_arrington,
Thanks for posting these pics, they are exactly what I would like to add to my 2004 320 SD. We are located on South East CT, not so far from LI.

Would you think your canvas guy would travel to Stamford to measure ? Would like to have done before we wrap the boat for winter? Not sure if you are comfortable sharing Your canvas guys contact info.
Thanks very much,
Skip54
Click to expand...
I don’t know if he’ll go to Stamford, but you can always ask him. The worst he can say is no.

His name is Tony, from AMC Canvas. His shop is in Copaigue, NY. Phone (631) 682-5324 (Mobile).

Don’t know if it’ll do anything for you, but you can say Brad from Setauket with the Back Cove referred you.
 
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