Cockpit enclosure offers sturdiness, safety and function
Mariner Canvas Company, New Bern, N.C.
This project, which won an Award of Excellence in the soft enclosures category of the 2008 MFA Awards, consists of a rigid, included a deluxe hard dodger, connector, bimini top, and full enclosure. The customer wanted a full cockpit enclosure that was sturdy, safe and functional at anchor, as well as under sail. The full-enclosure was to extend the livability aboard. Features include: hardtop dodger, front stanchions, side handrails and aft grabrail. The 40-gauge Strataglass windows attach to the top with Keder welt, and at bottom with fasteners. The center u-zip window hinges up to store under the dodger. This panel includes a self-storing screen with mesh accessory pockets in the wing panels. Window covers offer flexible coverage. The Strataglass dodger/bimini connector provides visibility. A cover offers shade. The bimini top includes aft stanchions and side grabrails, zipped frame pockets, backstay cutouts and sailview window cover with inside control lines. 30-gauge Strataglass curtains enclose the cockpit. Panels have u-zip windows and self-storing u-zip screens. Side panels open and hinge up for easy operation. The connector and curtains are double faced with Sunbrella outside and Patio 500 inside. Curtain and window-cover edges are reinforced with 30-gauge vinyl and finished with Sunbrella binding. The cockpit enclosure is supported with self-supporting frames, and stainless steel rivets secure all eye-ends. The project is fitted along the bottom edge to minimize water intrusion, provide strength and access to and use of winches, lines and cleats. The u-zip Strataglass and mesh windows provide cross-ventilation and cockpit access. The top includes backstay cutout socks and a sailview window with cover that is opened and closed with inside control lines. It was a challenge to accommodate the back curtain cutouts for the davit support straps and backstays. Leather reinforced panels were installed port and starboard.
Project data
Designers: Pamela Vana and Alex Bell, Mariner Canvas Company
Fabricators: Pamela Vana and Alex Bell
Project managers: Pamela Vana and Alex Bell
Installers: Pamela Vana and Alex Bell
Boat type: Island Packet 35 Sailboat
Materials used: Sunbrella; Patio 500; 40-gauge Strataglass; 30-gauge vinyl; #10 YKK zippers; DOT Fasteners; 1-inch 16-gauge stainless steel tubing; Tenara thread; Lippencott hardtop dodger