Camper Top -vs- side curtains for a 260 Sundeck

K

KJ Champ

New Member
Aug 6, 2008
17
North Eastern Wisconsin
Boat Info
' 07 260 Sundeck
Engines
6.2 W/Bravo III
Looking to get some sort of an enclosure for our Sundeck, and don't really know what's the best option. Want something that can hook onto our Bimini and give us total protection in the event of rain, and have found both a camper top, and also the side curtains. I'm looking for someone with a Sundeck that has experience with these that may be able to give some pro's and cons of the different options. Currently have a quote request in with a dealer for a Camper top, but no word back as of yet.

Thanks in advance,
 
Well, a "camper top" includes the "side curtains" - it's sort of what makes it a "camper". In your case, you'll just need the front visors, side curtains and aft canvas... IF your bimini already has zippers in it. Otherwise, you'll need zippers sewn in, as well.

If you're referring to something completely different, I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

However, if you want to stick with the bimini as the "base" that everything mounts off (which, quite honestly, I can't think of a better way), having the rest installed is the best way to go.

I think this was an option on your boat. You might find info (including instructions) on this in your manual. At one point, Sea Ray had even included a CD (DVD?) showing how to put the canvas up. I don't know if they did this for your model year.
 
Dennis,
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, i want to use the Bimini as the base and have everything come off of it. I haven't had it up this year yet, but I do believe the Bimini has zippers attached already. So your thought is to go with the Visor, Curtains, aft and side.
 
Yup. If there's an easier/better way, I'm not aware of it. There might be - I just don't know.

If you get the pieces from Sea Ray, you'll get 3 front visors, 2 side curtains (one port and one starboard) and 1 aft canvas. I don't think your model uses 2 side curtains on each side.

Snaps will then have to be installed to mate the pieces to the boat (unless your model uses the rubber "T" gasket for the windshield area).

Quite honestly, if it was me, I would just have a local upholsterer make all the pieces for you. It will probably be the same amount in the end (maybe less) but you can have better "windows" installed than OEM. They will be thicker and have better visual clarity than the OEM clear vinyl.

I'm not sure what size window comes in the OEM aft piece, but you could have that made nice and large, as well.
 
This is the camper pkg on my 270SD. Worked well and we overnited often. Once a system was developed took very little time to put up or take down.
 
Well, a "camper top" includes the "side curtains" - it's sort of what makes it a "camper". In your case, you'll just need the front visors, side curtains and aft canvas... IF your bimini already has zippers in it. Otherwise, you'll need zippers sewn in, as well.
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Ditto on what Dennis said. The side curtains are part of the camper top.
Contact Greatlakes about it. They are the ones that make it for SeaRay.

http://www.greatlakesboattop.com/
 
Woody - Where did you sleep on your boat? I have been thinking about an overnight trip, but am unsure how comfortable it will be on our 220. I do have a BowTent, so I am considering purchasing the bow filler cushion and sleeping up front.

Woody said:
This is the camper pkg on my 270SD. Worked well and we overnited often. Once a system was developed took very little time to put up or take down.
Click to expand...
 
surfinjoe said:
Woody - Where did you sleep on your boat? I have been thinking about an overnight trip, but am unsure how comfortable it will be on our 220. I do have a BowTent, so I am considering purchasing the bow filler cushion and sleeping up front.
Click to expand...

The 270SD had a berth on the helm side. It was finished inside, even had a CO monitor and port hole. The pad/mattress was comparable in comfort to what we have on our 280DA now, of course that's not saying much. For one adult it was roomy, fortunately my wife is small and both of us were able to sleep in there. The trick was getting in, my wife would go in first, then I would have to back in, not enough room for me to go in head first and then turn around without beating her up. I used to dread the middle of the nite bathroom runs. During the day my grandaughter would claim that berth, it was a good feature if kids were onboard. My daughter and grandaughter slept in the bow walkway a couple times on foam pads but there was alittle more room there than I think you've got on your boat.

If you've got the bow tent, yes get the filler cushions and I think you could rig up a comfy berth.
 
We had an enclosure made last year and in my research I was told that an "enclosure" attaches to the standard bimini with sloping aft curtains whereas a "camper top" requires a second, rear bimini which, when open, connects to the front bimini. Then the canvas sides result in a more upright enclosed area. We did not want the second bimini in the way all the time, so went with just the enclosure.
 
antso said:
We had an enclosure made last year and in my research I was told that an "enclosure" attaches to the standard bimini with sloping aft curtains whereas a "camper top" requires a second, rear bimini which, when open, connects to the front bimini. Then the canvas sides result in a more upright enclosed area. We did not want the second bimini in the way all the time, so went with just the enclosure.
Click to expand...

That would be correct on your BR but not on the standard 260SD bimini.
 
Shouldn't you be getting ready to take your SunDeck to the Bahamas or something????

I am kidding of course.
 
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SeaRide said:
Shouldn't you be getting ready to take your SunDeck to the Bahamas or something????

I am kidding of course.
Click to expand...

Man I wish, I'm getting boating withdraw I have not even had MS Judy in the water this year. :smt089

Sorry for the hijack.....Back on topic,

Somebody said you only need one panel for the aft section, but I think you will find that it is two panels for the aft section.
 
I bought the camper enclosure 2 months ago when greatlakes had their 20% off discount. I should be installing it within 2 weeks so ill let you know how it goes. Its seems pretty easy especially the way the snaps going into the windsheild frame.
 
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