Pop-Up Cabins on Sailboats

[markmark]

I just wanted to know if you can make any sailboat into a pop-up cabin?

I ask because I am like 6'4" and want to buy a live-aboard sailboat.

Probably a stupid newbie question, but I suck at Google. Went through like 5 pages of nothing.

Thanks in advance

[swagman]

There are sailboats designed with pop up cabins and I'm sure someone from the USA will come along soon and let you know some local models.

But sorry, you cannot easily just convert a normal boat into one.

Boat decks / cabintops are designed to share and transmit loads from rigging etc through to hulls and keels. If you attempted to simply cut out the area for a pop up top its likely you'd weaken the overall structure.

Not unlike assuming you can cut the top off an auto to make a convertible..........

Good luck.

JOHN

[webejammin]

In my sailing past I have sailed a couple of Catalina's that have pop up tops and I think you will find there not being built today because if the boat is healed to far it will take on water and not be as safe as a boat with a smaller hatch, able to be some what water tight. It seams lots of smaller sailboats are made for folks under 5' 2" and are for taller folks. There's a Catalia 27 pop top in my marina that is still sailing on this lake not too many in open ocean.

I suggest looking at a canvas dodger to cover the open hatch, this will give you a place to stand up straight, (this is what I did on our last sailboat) and be able to close the hatch in foul weather for safety

[markmark]

OK Thanks for the info, I knew everything is structural and is not like a Van where you can just cut roofs and windows. But looking at some of the images on Google Images, kinda got me thinking they were cutting away.

Whats the proper term so I can search "for sale" websites. I think its more like "Pop Top" or "Pop Top Cabin"

Thanks

[David_Old_Jersey]

Everything can be done - but time, effort and money would be better spent getting a bigger boat......rather than creating something that doesn't work well............and is pretty much unsaleable.

Just also to say that sometimes you can pinch an inch (or 2?) from lowering the floorboards (and not I must stress from chopping out any structural floor bearers!).....and also possibly from a re-design of the headlining. These all have a price, less (no?) depth to the bilge and same for insulation behind the headlining....but really those apply to bigger and older boats.

But IMO easiest to find a boat that works from the getgo, even if you have to trade something else (all boats are a compromise anyway).

[LakeSuperior]

Buy a Mason 44. I am 6'4" and have headroom to spare. It will also make a great live-aboard.

[offline]

I've only seen pop-ups on some older day sailers, Chrysler I think. Even then the sides were open and exposed to the elements. Not exactly conducive to living aboard.

[Tortuga's Lie]

I had an older 1972 Cal 27 that had a huge pop up with 6'-6" headroom. It was great for the Chesapeake...once your at anchor and put the top up, you had a 360 degree view and better yet, 360 degrees of ventilation (with screens and canvas for rain), perfect for those hot nights on the Bay.