DIY Rain Enclosure for Tower Sunshade?

[harringtondav]

This is premature, but it will be my 2021 Winter project if it's possible. Our new boat will have a bimini sunshade. I'd like to build a vinyl window and canvas full enclosure for overnight trips in case of rain.

I envision sewing a continuous zipper from one side of the sunshade around the front and back on the other side. A second zipper across the rear. The front clear wind screen would snap from the rear around the glass windshield and side glass frames, and zipper onto the sunshade on the top.

The aft cockpit cover would be canvas and vinyl glass. the rear would snap to the gunnels and upper transom similar to the snap in cockpit cover that will come with the boat. This rear cover would zipper onto the rear of the sunshade and also to the vertical ends of the front windscreen.

A similar boat offered a full enclosure for $4000, and a local canvas shop said about $5000 sight unseen. So I've got plenty of time and financial motivation to DIY.

Questions:
Am I sane? I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine.
Will the front tie straps shown provide enough wind resistance, or should I plan on more reinforcement.
Where can I find those nice plastic enclosure zippers?
Also are there any DIY links here or elsewhere for this project?
Thanks,
Dave

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will be sewing eisenglass which takes a bit of practice. your fabric supply store will have materials.

did you check to see if the canvas is available as an option with the boat?

I still have my old red bimini and the convertible top from the Rogue. However since I got rid of all the snaps.....they wont be used. the new tower mounted bimini provides shade...... and when it rains, I wear a hat with a brim to keep the sunglasses clear....... and I get wet.

 

[harringtondav]

.....did you check to see if the canvas is available as an option with the boat? .... and when it rains, I wear a hat with a brim to keep the sunglasses clear....... and I get wet.

I plan on tying that into negotiations. I suspect Regal buys the snap-on and mooring covers etc. from a supplier, so it may be a bit cumbersome. Supplier's contact no. ahead of the sale should work, it they will give me the canvas spec, or sell direct to me.

I've been uber anal about keeping my boat dry. ...suspect that's why my recently sold Larson had a solid floor and structure after 24 yrs. It had a good mooring cover and full enclosure.

 

[dingbat]

Here is a full enclosure on a Bimini from a previous boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I plan on tying that into negotiations. I suspect Regal buys the snap-on and mooring covers etc. from a supplier, so it may be a bit cumbersome. Supplier's contact no. ahead of the sale should work, it they will give me the canvas spec, or sell direct to me.

I've been uber anal about keeping my boat dry. ...suspect that's why my recently sold Larson had a solid floor and structure after 24 yrs. It had a good mooring cover and full enclosure.

depends on who they have the contract with. Usually Great Lakes Boat Top company in Vonore Tennesee or Dowco Canvas in Manitowoc Wisconsin. Some sew with the internal upholstry department (like Chris Craft)