Cockpit enclosure offers sturdiness, safety and function

Published On: March 1, 2008Categories: MFA Excellence Awards

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.