Camper Canvas/Shade Canvas option on the hart top Sundancers (42 and up)

AndreasW

AndreasW

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
84
Malvern, PA
Boat Info
320 Sundancer 2006 &
185 Sea Ray Sport 2008
Engines
Bravo III
I am thinking of moving up from my 320 to a 40+ sundancer (probably the 44). Have not seen any camper canvas type additions on the site. Is that not a good idea? How do people deal with the sun and bugs in the back of the boat?

I am not a big fan of the Sea Ray Canvas that cuts down in the usable space in the back.

I found one option which would help with the shade I guess.

2277968_44_thumb.jpg
 
AndreasW said:
I am thinking of moving up from my 320 to a 40+ sundancer (probably the 44). Have not seen any camper canvas type additions on the site. Is that not a good idea? How do people deal with the sun and bugs in the back of the boat?

I am not a big fan of the Sea Ray Canvas that cuts down in the usable space in the back.

I found one option which would help with the shade I guess.

View attachment 19309
Click to expand...
I have the same problem as Sea Ray did not make a Camperback for my Model and Year. That looks great, who makes it?
 
That is not my canvas job. Any local canvas guy could build you something, I was just checking how popular it is. I had one done on my 320 by Marine Canvas by Top Dog (Len Stacer) out of NJ. If you need some help with your 310.
 
You may have to have one custom made, I've seen some really awesome after market custom made camper canvas, We hated our 320 slant back wasted so much space, and well now our 480 we will be picking up has a slant back too, but I'm going to have made another camper back, with windows and screens to open up on the rainy days.
 
Taylor makes a fastback for the larger boats, which does not required hardware...
 
Our 320 had an excellent quality full camper and it was on a "must have list" when we were upgrading from 240DA. If we were to upgrade to a 420/44DA a full camper would be on the "must have list" as well (current or custom made after the purchase).
 
I don't know about these. The 420 is one of the sexiest boats ever made, and pretty big too. Campers can ruin these lines. They help make a 280, 320, and 340 more liveable, but the 420 may not need as much space up top. My buddy debated this update for 3 years before compromising. He had an aluminum top (fashioned after the 44DB extension to the hard top) made which only extended about 3 1/2 feet back. The back of the frame matches the shape of the back of the hard top.

The key, in my opinion, is to extend it No More than the minimum required to allow someone to sit up on the back seat. The next piece of the puzzle is adding the right number of windows. 100% glass is a true camper back - I don't like that much exposure anymore. I like my buddy's idea of only putting 2 back windows in the addition, though it's hard to come up with a good shape of window on a slanted back that doesn't look like a space ship.
 
I wouldn't worry too much on designing a camper canvas for a 420 or 44DA, you have plenty of room in the cockpit with the slant back. As Hampton said, you will ruin the lines. The only thing I debated was adding more strataglass or eisenglass to improve visibility. I seen a camper canvas on a 420 and 44DA and I don't want to offend anyone but that does't look good.
 
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CAMELLA said:
I have seen camper canvas on a 420 and 44DA and I don't want to offend anyone but that don't look good.
Click to expand...

That is my worry exactly. I guess a simple sunshade like on my first pic would be good for cover during the day.
 
Yeap, I agree with others that this is where you have to be very careful and try to find what's more important for your needs. This is a true case where "beauty hurts". If you want maximum functionality you pay the price in the looks. HT on 420/44DA makes it easier and adding some HT extension allowing the back curtain to drop at an angle leaving enough room for people to seat comfortably all the way in the back of the u-shape seating area may be the best option. However, having the full camper for the past 8 years I can tell you that it makes a huge difference compare to those that don't have it.

Just like with anything, it's a personal preference. Some people like to take the front pannels off and go for 3hrs trip in the ocean. We always had our camper up and rolled the pannels via u-zippers to provide enough ventilation. At cruise, all you need is to have front vent open. If it gets too hot, then one front pannel can be rolled up and you've got plenty of air. BTW, 420/44DAs have nice and large front vents (much larger than in 320).

Don't rush, make sure you think this through very well before making the final decision.
 
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CAMELLA said:
I wouldn't worry too much on designing a camper canvas for a 420 or 44DA, you have plenty of room in the cockpit with the slant back. As Hampton said, you will ruin the lines. The only thing I debated was adding more strataglass or eisenglass to improve visibility. I seen a camper canvas on a 420 and 44DA and I don't want to offend anyone but that does't look good.
Click to expand...

Agree with this, i am going to cut in to larger strata glass in the aft curtain, roll up with a screen. You can sit on the back seat with canvas up.
 
Rocket said:
.... You can sit on the back seat with canvas up.
Click to expand...

Realy? I didn't think there's enough room, but maybe I'm mixing it with 410DAs. In that case, there's nothing to worry about. The only mod that would be needed is to add larger strata windows to open up the surrounding view, which shuldn't be a big deal.
 
I love the lines with ithe camper canvas off of my boat but will not give up the functionality of it! We do many cruise outs and spend time in the back entertaining and we are comfortable if it's hot, cold, raining, etc. I am getting ready very soon to replace the entire back canvas and make it how I want it to be.
 
Does anyone offer a after market aft camper pak for a 06 340DA? Slantback is fine for covering at the slip, but too confining for entertaining
 
cammair said:
Does anyone offer a after market aft camper pak for a 06 340DA? Slantback is fine for covering at the slip, but too confining for entertaining
Click to expand...

Taylor Fastback has one... It kinda looks like a bubble... There is no OEM camper backs for the 340....
 
I have contacted Taylor, The person that had the patent on it did not renew thier contract, so it is gone. SOooooo, looking for other options that dont require taking the boat out of the water.
 
HUMPH said:
I love the lines with ithe camper canvas off of my boat but will not give up the functionality of it! We do many cruise outs and spend time in the back entertaining and we are comfortable if it's hot, cold, raining, etc. I am getting ready very soon to replace the entire back canvas and make it how I want it to be.
Click to expand...

And the signature picture shows the new canvas. We have strataglass that stays in from October through May then we install screens. (Screens shown in this picture)
 
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