Would you keep the full cockpit enclosure?

[canyonbat]

Keep the enclosure and do Alaska before heading south. We did it last summer. Incredible trip.

[JohnHolland]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

We had a full enclosure made with our new Bimini, and have Sunbrella covers that cover the windows too. We shower in the cockpit and the Wife likes the privacy.
We just roll ours up when done and leave them installed even in warm weather.

we also roll up the clear panels when not in use, fasten them to the inside of the bimini top with umbrella laces,keeps them out of the sun too. Then if a cold wind or spray starts we can unroll them and zip in place in a few seconds. Also saves valuable storage space for other things.

[Sailor 99]

Keep it. Very expensive to replace and you'll like it when you need it. It's not all pina coladas out there. Some days are rough and wet. If you go north at all you will like it for the warmth.

[Hobiehobie]

We inherited full enclosure with our boat. Immediately put the panels under the mattress never took them out until we had a new Bimini and dodger made. Then threw them out. We hated being enclosed and isolated while under way, poor access to winches, poor ability to keep good watch, felt like being in a Winnebago rather than a sailing machine. Made the boat look top heavy, ugly. We don’t have fully upholstered, tasseled pillows to protect in the cockpit. We’d rather put our oilies on and feel the weather rather than retreat behind eisenglass. However, we are in the Caribbean and may change our minds if we sail north to chilly climes! But I doubt it. Would like to sail without the Bimini if we could so one could actually see the sails but the hot sun makes that a dermatology nightmare.

[ArmyDaveNY]

In addition to the comments made previously, there are two other reasons to keep them. First, you never know where you will end up. A year from now you may get the urge to go somewhere that is cooler. Perhaps New Zealand or perhaps up through Japan, to Russia then through Alaska back to the PNW. Second, keeping them will make and sale of the boat easier, should you decide to sell.

[Tom and Maje]

Absolutely keep it. You never know when you might need it, and they are expensive. We were the only ones to arrive warm and dry on our Atlantic crossing.

Maje

[Gaia]

We built an enclosure on our Gazelle and would not do without it. Even Tom Colvin, the designer, liked it.

Echo the sun exposure risk. And the comfort during squally wx. And it gets cold in New Zealand and anywhere else outside the tropics. Like during a cold front here in the Bahamas.

We bought expensive foul weather gear before we left and never once wore it until we crewed on a Catamaran delivery to the Azores last early summer.

And finally it adds prime living space even when the bugs bite which seems most anywhere.

So my vote? Keep it and if you get the chance or have some spare cash change the Eisenglass to crystal clear thin Acrylic.

You can always ditch it later if you are more macho than most.

Jim

[winjamerk]

We had ours made to attach to existing dodger & bimini when I was to begin working in Boston and was living aboard. Most helpful with the added sun room in winter or while sailing or as shelter in squalls. We also lived aboard year round on Chesapeake Bay. Rainy days were nice in the cockpit while all others in the anchorage stayed below. Rolled panels up when not using.

Suggest you unzip/unsnap the side panels and go to u-haul and buy a flat box you can put the side panels in. Sail in your home area with & without the panels in place to get used to them. Have them on for wet days & more on your trip south till the butter melts. Decide before heading to the south Pacific. If leaving them off the boat, put them into your u-haul box and send them to your neighbor/family member back home (pre-arranged) to keep till you return or, send to you if needed. You can't appreciate them until nature gives you a very good reason........

[Jesse]

When stored flat like book pages the clear panels tend to stick together, particularly if pressed together like under a mattress. I'm betting you know how I learned this

[1Sunseeker]

Keep it. Find a storage unit or under the bunks of the boat. Very expensive to have made and like very cheap when you sell. You will need it somewhere, sometime and someplace.

[desodave]

Keep it - I'll add to the majority view here for all the reasons mentioned. We bought the boat with a full enclosure and have never used the rear panels. I'm tall and dont like the restrictions as you suggest. However the connecting piece and forward side curtains are used on all but hot days. Makes a huge difference in cooler days when you're close hauled/reaching, or motoring with a slight breeze just off your nose. Ditto when its raining.

[ToneyFoster]

We wrap our panels on blankets, purchased at goodwill, when they are not used. Yes, that enclosure was close to 20 grand so think of resale.

[Capt. Hack]

Keep them! You can go to Dollar Gen,Dollar tree and get some cheap towles.
You can lay them down and put the encloser peices on them and in between them so they won't stick together or get scratched. plus they are cheap

[JPA Cate]

The enclosure is worth little on the re-sale market, enough little differences between Crealock 37s and installations that it may not fit another boat.

I, too, am in the keep the side windows, at least. You can make a storage bag for each one out of an old sheet, to prevent scratching. You will want them on the windward side at least, in squalls, and if you ever get tropical acclimatized, you'll want the shelter on cool mornings, even when it is not raining. If you can figure out a good way of rolling them (try a 1/2" heavy schedule pvc pipe), and snapping them up out of the way, that might work well for you, and keep you from needing to stow them below.

Ann

[sailingchiro]

A couple of thoughts.
Leaving the boat for a long time, coming home for a month or so. The enclosure works well to keep critters/bugs out.
Also during a long rain season, it would be nice to not hibernate in boat the whole time melting from the humidity. The enclosure can be opened to allow air flow without rain if you have screens on some of the windows.

The biggest threat to mankind are the mosquitos on a hot windless night.

It is sure nice to sleep in the cockpit with a few windows open with screens than sweating to death in the berth. If you don't have screens, they are easy to add since you already have the windows. Most enclosures allow the windows and screen to roll up and snap. If nothing else have a couple of windows made with screens to replace the current windows.

The enclosure doubles your living space!