Canvas Question

[rh320]

So, my 320DA has a standard cockpit cover. I am going back and forth between a slant back or a camper canvas. I much prefer the aesthetics of the slant back but much prefer the space savings of the camper. Is the camper a lot more desirable for resale? I currently have front isinglass and the Bimini that covers the entire cockpit so I am assuming that if I go camper then I will only need the drop down curtains? Does anybody have any canvas fabricators/installers on the Upper Chesapeake Bay that they recommend?

 

[The Bill Collector]

Our boat came with the fastback and I loved the lines, but here in the Pacific NW it just made so much more sense for the camper canvas. I do take it down in the summer for a week or two here and there.

 

[hottoddie]

Split the difference. Have a 2ft extension made off the rear of the arch then have the rear curtain attach to the top of the transom as usual. It will increase the angle of the rear curtain enough so you can sit in the rear lounge with the rear curtain in place while maintaining close to original appearance.

 

[Southern Cross]

My wife and I added a cantilever style camper canvas to our 320. We both love the extra shade provided by the top and the added space and light the camper provides in poor weather. Not sure about added resale value but new canvas can't hurt, especially if high quality. Renegade Canvas in Woodbridge, VA did the job and we are very please with the work.

 

[Todd320]

My wife and I added a cantilever style camper canvas to our 320. We both love the extra shade provided by the top and the added space and light the camper provides in poor weather. Not sure about added resale value but new canvas can't hurt, especially if high quality. Renegade Canvas in Woodbridge, VA did the job and we are very please with the work.

Can you provide some more detailed pictures of the “cantilever style camper”? We have been wanting shade on the back of the boat, but don’t want to add support rods at the rear of the boat going up. Appears your design only has support poles attached to the arch? Especially pictures or designs of the framing.
Thanks
Todd

 

[Ezsteps]

Split the difference. Have a 2ft extension made off the rear of the arch then have the rear curtain attach to the top of the transom as usual. It will increase the angle of the rear curtain enough so you can sit in the rear lounge with the rear curtain in place while maintaining close to original appearance.

Exactly what I'm going to do when it's time for new canvas. I put a camper on my 310 when I had it and couldn't stand having all the frame work.

 

[Southern Cross]

Can you provide some more detailed pictures of the “cantilever style camper”? We have been wanting shade on the back of the boat, but don’t want to add support rods at the rear of the boat going up. Appears your design only has support poles attached to the arch? Especially pictures or designs of the framing.
Thanks
Todd

Todd,

This is the only other pic I have of the frame. You can see the vertical support rods near the radar arch and a horizontal cross bar. There is another horizontal bar that provides the frame for the extended canvas but it is barely visible as it mostly runs under a zipper and inside the canvas.

I originally thought the vertical rods by the arch would interfere with getting to the bow but they do not.

Here is a YouTube link to a 320 with a similar design we used as a reference. The fabricator that made ours wanted a more robust vertical support bar which is why he mounted it lower on ours than the one in the video.

There is no flapping and we ran at full throttle quite a bit last year. The only thing I didn't expect was that since the 320 runs kind of bow high at cruise, visibility to the rear while on plane is reduced when standing at the helm. Minor quibble that is easily overcome by sitting or simply ducking down when checking aft while cruising.

We are still a month out from launch, I would be glad to take more pictures at that time.
Best,
Steven

 

[The Bill Collector]

 

[Ezsteps]

View attachment 54487 View attachment 54488

Bill Collector that works well on a 450, but on a 320 the front support for the aft frame would probably go almost up to the arch. That's what happened to me when I had the 310, which took away from where we sat most of the time while rafting off. It made it a pain, for us anyway.