Visit our Popular Forums

Sapperdeflap · 07-11-2016, 05:11

Dear Cruisers,

We are in the process of ordering a 450F.

My wife and I went to the Barcelona boat show and had an extensive tour on the 39, 42, and 450F. The 450F seems to be the sweet spot in space/price/equipment(after adding lots of options) for our purposes.

I understand people either love or hate the flybridge. We definitely are big fans of the flybridge. There's just one thing bugging me and that is the standard (big) bimini & enclosures offered by Lagoon. During the tour on the 450F I noticed the rail for the canvas enclosure only extend until the stair of the flybridge (red line in below image) leaving a huge gap open (green) for wind and rain to enter the cockpit.

Here's a picture of port side:

Now, I've asked about this gap during the tour. The very polite lady told me the standard big bimini + enclosure together with the cockpit enclosure offered by Lagoon would be sufficient and make sure the cockpit is clear from wind and rain.

I've been searching this forum and used my best friend Google, but can only find pictures of after market solutions that offer full enclosure like pictured below:

I cannot find a picture of the big bimini + full enclosure as offered by Lagoon.

Did anyone order their 450 with the big bimini + bimini enclosure + cockpit enclosure? Can you confirm that cockpit is protected by rain/wind? Possible share pictures?

Or should we ignore Lagoon's offering and go custom built/after market?

Thanks in advance!

PaulinOz · 07-11-2016, 13:51

Go Custom hard top and enclosures not canvas bimin.
Advantages are many access to boom is made simple via ladder at back
Park boom on hard top and ease the toping lift no more rigging noise at anchor. Full protection from sun wind and rain as required.
Integrate into rear covers to stop rain ingress.
At end of a days sailing all the bits and bobs you use up there through the day can stay there, no need to pack up in the event of weather.

The absolute best thing we have done to our boat bar none.

The install nessesitates access into roof space for bolts and wireing so this is also the time to be adding Solar etc.

PM me if you would like to email some pictures.

captainjay · 07-11-2016, 16:59

No affiliation other than we have put a few of their tops on boats on our charter fleet but this is the answer.
Dedicated Marine LAGOON GALLERY - Dedicated Marine - Bimini Hardtop

gstent · 07-11-2016, 22:20

gstent · 07-11-2016, 22:25

Here is what we have - adequate in most conditions but does leak especially on starboard over fridge / cupboard - bit annoying could probably be improved with use of a track and bolt rope - a watertight solution would be great but at sea I don't expect a perfect solution and in the marina the wind protection is fine so long as some water ingress doesn't concern u too much

PaulinOz · 08-11-2016, 00:42

This was my solution.

Ulstue · 08-11-2016, 06:29

Hello Sapperdeflap
The standard bimini enclosures also cover your green drawn gaps as described by Gstent and the photos in post # 4.

Sapperdeflap · 08-11-2016, 07:29

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated!

@PaulinOz: The benefits of a hardtop are duly noted, thanks! Food for thought.
[advocate of the devil]A hardtop is not as "removable" as the canvas bimini for those days the sun is welcome at the flybridge.[/advocate of the devil]
I really appreciate the pics of your custom hardtop + enclosure. I think I found them online somewhere. I do wonder though: how do you cover the gap?

@gstent: thanks for the pics! Is that part of the standard enclosure of the cockpit or custom made? It seems your suggestion of installing a track and bolt rope/rail could very well be the solution I'm looking for.

@Ulstue: do the standard closure come with different fixture than gstent posted?

We are really focused on finding a good solution because we will be travelling with two kids (now 5 and 8 yo) and really need the cockpit space as well as the interior space during bad weather for home schooling purposes.

gstent · 08-11-2016, 07:38

Yes those r standard. Spoke to another L450 owner today and he uses taped down plastic drinking straws to create a 'dam' along the edges where water flows in and he reports that works well while wintering in the marina

boom23 · 08-11-2016, 09:53

I suggest that you use the boat first and then decide what to change or add.

I have full cockpit enclosure but I never use it in the tropics, even when it rains. It makes the cockpit & salon very hot.

One more thing...

While you are thinking about keeping the cockpit dry, try to find a way to divert water from entering the open front windows. You need the front windows open in hot weather but when it rains they must be closed, which makes the salon very hot.

Just food for thought.

mholtzberg · 08-11-2016, 12:07

PaulinOz,

Where is your boom vang control for when you are sailing off the wind with your mainsail?

PaulinOz · 08-11-2016, 12:46

"Where is your boom vang"

If we are talking about the same thing, a connection between the base of the mast and boom to hold the boom down, like a lot of cats it is not fitted or required on L450. 6 plus meter wide main sheet track does the job of pulling the boom down when off the wind.

"While you are thinking about keeping the cockpit dry, try to find a way to divert water from entering the open front windows."

Water ingress through front windows is a simple as a bit of plastic angel to give the water a drip point onto the windows, this stops it tracking down and into the windows.

Lagoon 450 Moor R&R Kathryn Roper & Paul Rogers