Full cockpit canopy - Australian

[Linestarboard]

I'm looking at buying a 2007 26M, but it doesn't have any canopies (not even a biminini). I've been looking at websites all over Australia trying to find somewhere decently priced for a full cockpit, Bimini, & Dodger (with fly's) similar to one available in Canada at:
http://gencomarine.com/canvas-photos/ph ... gwidth=600
The only ones I can find in Oz are really expensive and don't come with fly's:
http://www.bluereefyachts.com.au/26mspares.htm
I'm seriously considering spending $800AUD in shipping costs alone, as the final price would be similar.
Does anyone know of a good (decently priced) canvas company in Oz.
Thanks very much,
Tristan.

[sunshinecoasting]

Hi Tristan, welcome aboard.

I dont have any experience with a full dodger/bimini set up and where I sail I have no plans for one, on rare occasions when the wind blows and the spray flies I dont mind getting wet, however down where you are I can understand wanting to get out of the elements a bit more. Having said that I would just add one comment where I do have first hand experience, a full sided set up like the one you linked in Canada would seriously add to freeboard area, something these boats already have way too much of, it would make docking in a breeze a nightmare and definately add to weather helm if you had them up while sailing, personally I wouldnt do it, it truly is difficult to get these boats to behave themselves at slow speeds while birthing or docking, do yourself a favour, buy the boat (you wont regret it) and spend some time getting used to it before you make this decision. I think the blue reef rig would be better as it doesnt have the fly's so much of the side wind will pass through, mine has a biminy only and I really notice it adding to weather helm when more than 15 degree pitch, the wind gets under it and wants to push the tail around and nose upwind. If its particularly windy I drop my bimini.

Cheers, Dennis.

[Linestarboard]

Thanks Dennis. I totally understand what you're saying.
I plan to put it up when we're anchored or moored only (possibly for a week at a time). We really need a little more dry space to extend the living space whilst stationary, as we have 3 ankle biters.

[sunshinecoasting]

Thanks Dennis. I totally understand what you're saying.
I plan to put it up when we're anchored or moored only (possibly for a week at a time). We really need a little more dry space to extend the living space whilst stationary, as we have 3 ankle biters.

While at a dock it would be really cool, under anchor or mooring it will cause the boat to swing madly, mine already does and that is without the bimini up, they all do, in fact while at anchor in Pumicestone passage off Caloundra here it is funny to watch, the passage has a really mean current, like 4-5 knots and if the wind is blowing in the opposite direction the two fight and the "X" swings madly, best thing to do I found is raise keel and lower both rudders and lower bimini if practical, let the current prevail, with the rudders down at anchor I can turn the wheel and the boat will swing through nearly 90 degrees under current, I have to raise the motor because the prop turns really fast in neautral and I dont know if that is good for it or not?

See if Paul adds a comment or two, he has two ankle biters on his "M" on the Gold Coast and stays on board for a week or more at a time so I am sure he can offer some advice for having kids on board, I have a daughter but she is 15 so the boat is just boring to her (except for when she can bring a friend and the swimming is good, then the boat becomes an expensive diving board).

[Mac26Mpaul]

Hi Tristran
Gee that boat in the picture you posted is looking a little bow heavy...

If the Mac offers what you want from a boat, I would find a good one and buy it - Worry about whether you need/want a full enclosure later.
The one thing that is a necessity for us here in QLD, is a Bimini..

The boat can be a bit wet and I have looked into a dodger before, but I know the dodger will come at a loss of visibility (even when it is down), and I’m just not sure I’d be happy with it. Its easy enough to throw a ground sheet over the boom to give better sun shade at anchor.
I have a 4 and 7 year old, and I’d say they spend more time in the boat both under way and at anchor. If they can, they will be sitting on the bow or preferably on the nearest beach!

As to what Dennis said about full enclosures creating more windage. I’m sure that would be right and I must say, the problems that the windage on the Mac cause, is basically what I dislike about my boat. If it was raining heaps, I’m sure a full enclosure would be a nice luxury at anchor, but we try not to be boating if its raining heaps anyway..
To cut a long story short, I think you will find that the percentage of your time where you have the full enclosure up would be very small - Find a good Mac, preferably with all the other expensive cruising gear already in it, and buy it!

Paul

[Linestarboard]

Thanks guys. I've taken your advice and found a good 26X with large Bimini (and all of the other gear)

[Mac26Mpaul]

Good stuff

[bartmac]

We bit the bullet and bought the dodger and put the middle bimini on a sliding track and then we also have a rear bimini mounted within a tower...the result is sun protection even when sailing with the middle bimini forward to allow the main sheet to work.The overlap of all 3 (when not sailing)means some rain protection but of course drips on to the seats etc and any wind causes general wetness....although the main companion way can be dry enough to stay open usually.Any dodger should have more overhang of the hatch than the one on the blue reef site....that's the one we have and without an overlapping bimini it would rain in badly

[sunshinecoasting]

Hey Tristan, how did you go with that X you found? Did you end up buying it? Cmon, pictures and details.

[Boblee]

We just made up a throwaway boom tent (5 yrs now) that runs from the mast to halfway along the bimini, only has three clips each side and gives excellent sun and rain protection with a wind funneling effect on the hot days, easy to remove when sailing and really hadn't noticed anymore dancing than normal in fact less but the we had some pretty strong Kimberly currents.
Only problem we had was when heading for an anchorage we got hit with a bullet from the cliffs and came as close to a knockdown as ever but we didn't have ballast in.

[Linestarboard]

I would post photos if I could. I've got no idea on how to load a photo into the forum. It's a 98 26X on Sydney which I pick up on Monday. Looks like everything you could imagine has been done to it. Looks quite tidy. I'm quite excited.

[Linestarboard]

http://s817.photobucket.com/user/Linestarboard/library/

[Relackson]

Hey, Boblee

Any photos? Looking to do something similar.

Stan