Thinking of selling my 2002 410 Sundancer

I don't mind putting the canvas up and down (maybe a little). However the one thing I absolutely hate about the canvas is the black streaks it causes on the gelcoat. Complete pet peeve of mine.

 

I get the canvas thing. But that canvas somewhat protects the upholstery, carpet/decking from dirt, dust, bird shit, trash, nesting birds and the homeless from entering the cockpit of your boat.

I've seen the alternatives without canvas and you will be pulling protective covers on and off any rear lounges you new boat may have as well as hosing the deck down before any use. So I'm not sure you'll be saving any time or hassle.

I get it though if your overall desire is to have the living space on the one level. We have the Riviera sports yacht range in Australia and is very popular for this reason.

 

Stop it.. just stop it... it’s the middle of winter damn it!!!!????... it’s a slippery slope you are standing on .... First it’s a fast trawler.... then in a couple years it’s a sailboat .... just cool it ....watch some Below Deck ..have a couple of cocktails... order a few boat parts online and this too shall pass

 

but you must admit its pretty cool to pilot a 40'+ 30k lb boat with absolutely no glass or plastic in front of you My favorite time to drive the boat is on a flat calm day and take ALL the canvas down and get up on plane for a cruise. I really enjoy the openness of it. Of course, at the end of the day it really sucks to put all back up...

 

You poor buggers.....today it peaked at 41.7 degrees C where i live....107.06 degree F in your money .

At 5 o'clock this afternoon it's still 39.4 degrees C.

 

*Gives middle finger*
-13C this morning on my way to work

 

Oh most definitely it is.

I only have the canvas the boat came with, the sloped camper canvas, front isinglass, and the snap-in cockpit cover. I'm in a covered slip, so I only use the cockpit cover without the poles just to keep the dust and bugs out. My isinglass isn't in good shape and it also doesn't have the unzup-roll-up feature, so I never use it.

I'd actually like "modern" isinglass you can keep in with rollup panels and a rear bimini with side and back curtains that roll up, but it's of so little practical value to us on our lake with a covered slip that it's not worth the multi-$$$$ investment to get it made. The only canvas I'd probably invest in is a rear bimini that zips into the sunshade.

But all that being said, an enclosed helm would make light rain a non-factor for boating as well as make cool weather not really an issue, either.

 

Nothing better than sipping a cocktail and listening to a little jazz in 68 degree dry conditions when it is 95 degrees and humid on the docks. Especially nice when it is right after having taken a hot shower down below.

 

No doubt, although what I would love is some late-fall cruising when its 45 degrees outside and 68 inside!

 

Damn straight, almost as nice as watching the sun rise over the water on a late fall morning enjoying a fresh espresso in a heated helm.

 

Are you guys talking about sitting in the house looking outside?

 

Well now you guys are just showing off

 

Absolutely. Have done a lot of that as well. Watch a movie on the hook and enjoy a nice morning breakfast and good coffee.

 

You betcha!

 

That obvious?

 

Only real tough choice is going to involve the checkbook!!

 

Certainly there is some compromise with having an enclosed salon and an open cockpit. Assuming you have cushions, like a Back Cove and Sabre does, you need to either store them inside or cover them. Taking them inside was a real bother, and I did it until I had a cover made. I think the trade off to cover the cushions to have the enclosed salon is positive, on balance.

In my experience, covering/uncovering the cushions was a very short process. There was no annual maintenance needed such as cleaning and waterproofing the canvas, or polishing and protecting the strataglass. Also you don't need mid-season (or more frequent) cleaning / UV protection for strataglass.

As far as the cockpit getting dirty vs. the canvas keeping i clean there is some merit to this. A fully enclosed seating area will stay more dust-free. However, I found that the cockpit stayed cleaner than expected. In 2 seasons we only had 1 "bird bomb" that required some cleaning. I didn't find the need to hose out the cockpit at the start of a trip. My habit was to wash down the boat after each outing so all that was needed was a quick spray with the hose - which was already out. With the cushions being covered the seats stayed nice and clean. I never experienced trash, nesting birds, or homeless in my boat. Your location may be more prone to this.

It may not apply to all, but having a hard top brought an unexpected surprise. My kids and I could climb up on the roof and jump off into the water! I'm young enough to still enjoy this without worrying about breaking a hip.

 

It’s no Sabre or BC, but our next boat has left the shipyard in Poland, en route to Savannah, GA. No canvas required.

 

I have a hard top on my 38DA so whilst no canvas to clean and waterproof there is gelcoat to clean and polish. My Stamoid bimini also hoses down and does not require waterproofing. I only have the canvas side and rear curtains to roll up which only takes a minute. I haven't needed to waterproof those yet. Strata glass only polished once a year and all done in half an hour as I have split glass/strata glass. I don't remove it as it has been heat stretched on at installation to keep it tight for a crystal clear view plus I have centre vent and hard top hatch vent for airflow. Whilst it can and does get humid, we tend to have a dry heat - for example 35 degree C today with 30% humidity.

In the type of boat you have, most owners instal removable mesh screens to reduce dust, nesting birds and to keep the teaked deck looking fresher for longer. I was joking about the homeless in my original post.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want a full canvas cockpit, but not for the reasons you mentioned. I hate the leaks normally associated with it, the look of all the framing and because it is far hotter under canvas than a hardtop.