Tried of rain coming into cockpit with canvas up

M

Michael and Jeanne V2

Member
Dec 30, 2008
49
Bristol, Rhode Island
Boat Info
480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
QSM - 11s
OK I'm getting really tired of rain coming into the cockpit area on my 400db. The canvas the covers the sides is snapped on the inside of the side steps. I have water that comes down along the air intake cover and down the canvas onto the steps. The water forms and makes its way into the cockpit and onto the rug. Next the rug is all wt and begins to stink. I know that someone out there has figured out how to fix this out. Please share your solution.
 
I don't mean to sound sarcastic- but it's a boat. The cockpit- and the carpet- is supposed to get wet. A boat is not a house...

Don't you ever have the canvas off in the rain?
 
tobnpr said:
I don't mean to sound sarcastic- but it's a boat. The cockpit- and the carpet- is supposed to get wet. A boat is not a house...

Don't you ever have the canvas off in the rain?
Click to expand...

I hear what you're saying but I agree with the OP -- the point of a cover is to keep the cockpit dry....not "more or less dry".

I have a similar problem and my carpet is stained under the helm plus it stinks now and it's getting irritating.

.
 
Dudes, it's Sunbrella with zippers, and overlapping edges, not a tin roof with siding and waterproof windows. You'd be much less happy if it were air tight. I've seen boats where they tried, and it's ugly.

The only true cure for keeping water out of a cockpit in the rain is a covered slip, or garage.
Embrace the gaps, and air it out!
 
I pulled the carpet out of my cockpit the day I bought it. Not as comfortable on the feet but don't have to mess with the wet carpet or trying to roll it up and finding a good spot to keep it when the rain starts. It would require having to set my beer down and that's not good.
 
I have seen people ruin their boats with all kinds of ugly channels and weatherstripping trying to keep small water drips out, sure it keeps the carpet dry but how does it look/function when you take the canvas off?

My suggestion is take your carpet off your back deck or flip that section of carpet back towards the center when it rains.
 
We had the same issue and I solved it when the canvas was redone. The panel which snaps inside the step was made a little longer and a 2" band of Seamark sewn inside so it won't get wet if it touches the deck. A snap was added on the side of the cabin just ahead of the step so the canvas no longer snaps on the inside and forms a very small slope at the bottom towards the bow and the deck drain. This reduced the water by about 80% but we still roll the carpet back. I am going to replace the carpet now and was thinking of trying a sub layer of Dri-Deck under the carpet so that water and air could flow beneath . Not sure what it would be like to walk on.
 
370Dancer said:
You'd be much less happy if it were air tight.
Click to expand...

Not looking for air tight -- just more water tight. Not to mention the cover has built in vents to allow air flow.

Carver370 said:
I have seen people ruin their boats with all kinds of ugly channels and weatherstripping trying to keep small water drips out ....or flip that section of carpet back towards the center when it rains.
Click to expand...

I'm not worried about small drips -- those are inevitable. In my case, I get a 1"-2" puddle under the helm seat after a rain. Since the carpet first got stained I don't have a choice but to flip that section back when I button up the boat for the day.

Let's not blow this out of proportion either - nobody said anything about a completely air tight or water tight boat....it's a boat....water happens. The issue is what I consider to be excessive water. I am guessing that is what the original poster was talking about too.

>
 
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That would bug the heck out of me. Is there a reasonable way to have the side canvas snap to the outside instead of the inside like it does on my (and most) arch(s)?
 
Hampton said:
That would bug the heck out of me. Is there a reasonable way to have the side canvas snap to the outside instead of the inside like it does on my (and most) arch(s)?
Click to expand...

I wish....the older 280's had the canvas that covered the whole windshield and snapped at the bottom edge. Mine snaps on the top edge. Plus there is not a way to make it any tighter around the arch.

The Bill Collector said:
1st clean canvas...
Then use this 303 product http://www.fisheriessupply.com/onli...ode+matchpartial+rel+Inactive/act/A01/Ntk/All
Then there is another product called "Seam Guard" I used it on the heaving stitching areas where water could drip/wick thru and I'm not 100% but pretty damn close..
This is one of the seam guard type products available....
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/onli...ode+matchpartial+rel+Inactive/act/A01/Ntk/All
Click to expand...

My issue isn't with the Sunbrella leaking. I have gaps under the flip window and at some of the connecting points of the canvas. Simple adjustments haven't worked but I am not going bust out the caulking gun and go to town either. It is what it is...but it's annoying.

.
 
Carpeting doesn't belong in the cockpit of a boat, just like non-skid decking doesn't belong in your living room.
Looks cheap IMO. Show me a "real" yacht that has outdoor carpeting...

I get a kick out of seeing pictures online of the "dock queens" with Berber carpeting and wicker furniture in the cockpit :)

I've got a simple boarding mat that gets "squishy" when wet- I can't imagine an entire cockpit like that.

Just one boater's opinion.
 
tobnpr said:
I don't mean to sound sarcastic- but it's a boat. The cockpit- and the carpet- is supposed to get wet. A boat is not a house...
Click to expand...

All boats don't have wet cockpits.
 
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