Boating with enclosure

rasbury

Really stupid question (why I like this site, I can ask all the dumb questions I want!). I do not have my full enclosure done yet ($$$) but do have the front have done on our 270. Now, at the marina/dock it's very nice, and I know once I get the back half done we will be snug as a bug in a rug.....how the heck do you navigate with the darn thing on? I suppose you have access to the bow of the boat through the window and certainly out the back with the swim platform- if you have a crew aboard to deal with the lines. I do not.....and I'm throwing out lines from the helm to snag a cleat when I'm docking and slipping the boat. So, I'm unsnapping the sides to make sure I have access in a hurry if  I need it. Not having been around these larger boats I'm a little concerned to even really travel with the enclosure on..what does everyone else do or am I unique as a one man band of sorts when docking?

raybo3

I never ever run my boat with the side curtains up. I will leave the top on however... 

Michael T

I often run with the full enclosure up. Before arriving at a dock or canal lock I just loosen an opening and I can throw lines or use a boat hook no problem. BTW I made a modification to one of my old boat hooks that always draws a lot of attention at the docks. I have a boat hook that extends to about 10 feet. I have crimped a two foot loop of that plastic covered wire to the end. When I am approaching a dock and no one is around, I can just snag a cleat with it until the Admiral steps off to fasten lines. Once when alone I "looped" a cleat myself, tied the boat hook pole to a rail with a short piece of mooring line and stepped-off myself. I have seen poles like this for sale for $$$$$ but it cost me about $2.50 and took about 10 minutes to modify an old boat hook pole with the loop.

aero3113

I leave the top,front and sides on all the time. I usually leave the center front rolled up when running/docking. I only use the back for overnights and when were finished for the day. 

06Rinker270

I have a love hate relationship with the full enclosure.  It was one of the requirements when I was searching for a boat and was stoked when I found one is such great shape.  Once I went into a covered slip I took it off and never went back on.  However, when I was uncovered, it was great for when it rained, but dang it go humid and hot.  Mine has the bug screen/glass option on the back panel, unzip and roll down the glass and there is a screen.  Loved that, great breeze when front mid panel was open.

Navigating is a little awkward, I unzipped the middle front panel and rolled it up.  That way I could get upfront if I needed to, let in a breeze, and if I needed to get a better look at something I just leaned to the left.  Another thing I did was unzip the port and starboard aft side panels so I had access to my cleats in back and fenders.  

I dock alone as well for the most part, way easier without it.  Even at the dock I found it got in the way.  I am also so worried about damaging the glass, I just took it off.  Glad I have it, but rarely use it.  Maybe I will put it back on in Spring if I go in super early...which I am hoping I do.  

@Michael T that is a great idea, I think I will be doing that.

LaRea

Veering off-topic here, but ... on my old 342 with a bimini, keeping the enclosure up made it too warm in the cockpit.  I only used the enclosure in bad weather, which is why I needed a way to store it on the boat.  

On the 370 with hardtop, the cockpit stays cool enough that I can leave the enclosure up all year.  All I do is roll up the windows and rear canvas.

But - Ras, you definitely need to open up for access before docking.  And the front glass will cut down your visibility when underway, unless you have Stratoglass.

BellevilleMXZ

Michael T said:

I often run with the full enclosure up. Before arriving at a dock or canal lock I just loosen an opening and I can throw lines or use a boat hook no problem. BTW I made a modification to one of my old boat hooks that always draws a lot of attention at the docks. I have a boat hook that extends to about 10 feet. I have crimped a two foot loop of that plastic covered wire to the end. When I am approaching a dock and no one is around, I can just snag a cleat with it until the Admiral steps off to fasten lines. Once when alone I "looped" a cleat myself, tied the boat hook pole to a rail with a short piece of mooring line and stepped-off myself. I have seen poles like this for sale for $$$$$ but it cost me about $2.50 and took about 10 minutes to modify an old boat hook pole with the loop.

Pics? I need all the help I can! lol

MarkB

MT you just gave me an idea. Imagine the rope tied to the boat cleat and the other end fastened to a STRONG pole by some knot, etc. As you dock you have the pole in hand.

Now imagine a STRONG tube about 3" to 4" in diameter attached to the dock. 

As you approach dock you slide the but end of the pole into the tube and it slides say 6 feet down into tube until it hits but end of tube at bottom. 

Boat is now secure on that one point.

So all someone would need to do is slide a long pole into a wide tube.

TonyWalker

I had "smilies" installed in the front isinglass.  Solves all problems.

Tony
Salt Shaker 342

LaRea

Smilies = semi-circular zipper cutouts in the window, so you can unzip it and roll up that section of the window.

Michael T

@MarkB I think you're onto something brother! @rasbury, we used to "cast" the mooring line too but with a loop on a long pole you just drop the loop over the dock cleat and pull - it works first time every time. I bet the idea could be modified to have a length of mooring line on a long pole attached at the end of the pole with a piece of Velcro. You'd use the pole to slip the loop end of the mooring line, held in place with the Velcro over the dock cleat and just remove the pole and tie the mooring line to the boat's cleat....something like those gizmos that are used to snag mooring balls only cheaper and easier! :-)

Dream_Inn

I don't know, maybe it's just me, I'm just not into all the 'extra' stuff.  I just always make sure I'm prepared to dock well before I start in the marina.  If I'm by myself, I'll get whatever lines needed tied on the cleats first, and know what I'll tie first when I pull in.  I've owned single engine, dual engine, and dual engine with thruster...all can be docked by yourself with proper prep beforehand no matter the conditions. 

Now, the topic, isinglass.  I do typically have to remove the front center when docking and have the bow line ready.  and unzip stern entrance and have one attached there as well.  Not sure how else you can do that.  Over the boats I've had, my first two had the full enclosure up a lot of the time.  Current boat, I don't use it as much.  Maybe it's cause of having a hardtop or cause I have this black material we zip to it instead of isenglass...who knows.

If you are docking for fuel at a T dock, usually by youself is easiest with a line at mid cleat.

Michael T

@DI my extra "stuff" is an old 10 foot "extendable" boat hook with a $2.50 2 foot plastic/wire loop on the end. But, man will it snag a dock cleat in a wind or side current. If the Admiral does this from the bow I can get to the stern fast and tie-off there. If there's no one on the dock to help us then no matter how well I am holding our boat in place with throttles, thrusters or Axius at some point one of us has to tie off the boat and that's often the Admiral or me.....and if I'm alone - try that in a stiff cross wind with no one at the helm. Actually you probably can but I can't! LOL

Michael T

@rasbury. Although it's not my place to comment on the quality of your posts - imo - I have never heard you ask anything that even approximated "stupid". I really like that you are on top of your boat's welfare, interested in all aspects of  boating and FWIW I ENJOY reading your posts! IMO anyone who asks a question is already smart as they are looking for information. Keep it up Ras!

Cableguy Greg

I rarely boat with my enclosure up. If I do, it is either raining, or a little chilly outside. I have found out that it turns the boat into a kite and it make the boat handle totally different. Docking is a PITA with it up in windy or foul weather.

There are some great tips above.

06Rinker270

Coming from a relatively new boater, I like the "dumb" questions.  To some they may be obvious, to others they are pure knowledge.  And in my opinion, when it comes to boating, you can never ever know enough.  One day Ras, you and I will be the experts helping out the rookies.  But for now, Ill ask the dumb questions.  

raybo3

OK so we are talking about dumb questions how about this one....... Like I said I never run my boat with the enclosure up what about running the engines does anyone worry about trapping carbon monoxide??????

Dream_Inn

There aren't any dumb questions.  When I started boating, I learned a lot of stuff the hard way.  I wished I had a place like this to ask those questions.  It cost me a lot of money for things that would've been obvious to someone that had known.

Michael T

@rasbury If the weather is good I boat with my enclosure down - it's way more fun BUT if I remove the rear canvas enclosure I MUST also remove the enclosure above the windshield or at most speeds CO is drawn into the cockpit. I do have a CO monitor just behind the helm seat and it will go off if there isn't a good airflow coming from bow to stern to negate the "station wagon" effect. If all of my canvas is up for some reason and I am flying along at 3600 rpm the spray from the props will get drawn onto the rear canvass "plastic windows - that's how strong that "station wagon" effect is at speed. Of course I can take out the front canvas and leave the rear canvas up and no CO will get into the cockpit but that is pretty **** the rear canvas and probably gas mileage too. LOL

gslpro

raybo3 said:

OK so we are talking about dumb questions how about this one....... Like I said I never run my boat with the enclosure up what about running the engines does anyone worry about trapping carbon monoxide??????

I have read an article in the past talking about this.  I remember that the greatest things they stressed is not running with everything 'except' the back curtain sealed or stern flap closed.  If you open the stern zip window or passage way to the platform, you will have the station wagon effect in full.  The only way to combat that would be to open the middle section of the bow eisenglass to negate the vacuum caused in the rear openings.  That being said, I boat in New Hampshire, land of the frequent afternoon T-storm.  I run with full enclosure quiet frequently.  I am quite fast at attaching it all to the bimini, and I will continue on my boating adventures without my CO alarm having any issues in the cockpit or cabin.  I just make sure that all the canvas is attached, including the stern.  If it gets too warm, and the rain is not coming down, I will open the middle bow eisenglass, and the rear window or flap.  

Handymans342

Nothing like trolling for fish when its 40 degrees with the full enclosure. Its like sitting in a Florida sun-room LOL

Michael T

@glspro, great topic! - a while back we discussed exactly what you are saying, at some length on this forum. The first two times I drove my first cruiser I did so (like an idiot) with the back covers off and the front covers on. It made me real sick. The second time the CO alarm was going off in the cabin and I had one of those I am an idiot moments. I bought a really good air sampling type CO detector for the cockpit and if I get the air flow balance ratio "off" between the front and rear covers - even a bit - it starts screaming right away. This happened easily enough with the EC 310, but with the wider and taller EC 360 the station wagon effect will happen immediately if I get the air flow off, even a little. I have to say I got real sick when it happened to me in 2013 and had to lie down. Still shaking my head at my stupidity. I have never had a problem running with the full enclosure up but sometimes I open up the side windows or front walk through a bit if running fast (3600 rpm) with a full enclosure on a rainy or cool day. P.S. Open with all enclosure down - no problems ever.

Cableguy Greg

I had my CO alarm come on one time this fall, late in the season. I had the tops up and  that thing was screaming. I ended up opening the smile zipper and the center of the front curtain to get it to stop.

TonyWalker

I purchased a CO detector that has a read out at Wal-Mart.  Interesting to see a number.

MarkB

Get more help, one in front and one in back. I dock all the time with the full enclosure up but I don't get involved in handling the lines. I only give the orders.

rasbury

I only give orders....do they listen Mark? Sounds like the same issues all around. I do like the idea of the hook with the loop, the admiral could weild that while I secured the boat. I learned a trick on you tube, use a long docking line, coil up two sections, one in each hand. Right hand has the end of the rope between a couple fingers. This way you can throw the rope like a cast net at a cleat. Pull the boat close, from the helm loop the rope around the cleat a couple of times and then secure. Can't do that with the enclosure on

..

rasbury

Smiles? I'll bite..

rasbury

All great info and tips- I get the feeling sometimes I'm over my head with operation of this beast but sounds like you all have the same issues. I have another "stupid" question but will start another thread.

rasbury

I'll keep asking the dumb questions everyone else wishes someone would ask then!

LaRea

Fair point, @raybo3 - : gotta be wary of the "station wagon effect" pulling exhaust into the cockpit.  I suppose if you run with the canvas closed, you should treat the cockpit as an "enclosed space" requiring a CO detector. 

rasbury

yes Raybo- matter of fact, I spoke with someone at a marina that had that problem but caught it before it turned deadly. He since mounted a Co2 at the helm just for that reason...it is a concern and thanks for reminding me as I had meant to post that conversation. I guess I assumed everyone already knew that being inexperienced as I am....