Camper top or mooring cover at night. On or Off? Questions on how each of you manage your boat.

Wildboating

So now that we replaced the camper top and eisenglass i have some new questions.   The factory windshield connector does not allow for much airflow to the driver seat.  Do you take your eisenglass down each time you use the boat?  If so, do you wash the glass first before taking it down and rolling it up every time or do you just unzip and roll?   What about at night, are you putting the camper back up for overnight?  What about when leaving the boat for say a week at work?    I use my boat often thru the week and all weekend.   Just curious to how everyone else is managing taking the tops down and back up.

rasbury

I have a mooring cover for when the boat s in storage, I covet the enclosure. So if either is to get eaten up by the sun I will sacrifice the mooring cover. That being said, we are on the boat a couple weekends a mont which if I used it more, I'd use what I got!

davidbrooks

I only have mine on early spring and late fall. It is rare to cruise with It fully on due to backdraft on exhaust and wind resistance.  So I am constantly taking pieces on an off. Like Ras I use my mooring cover most of the time. Whatever you do make sure you purchase spacers so the eisenglass doesn't lay against the SS poles.  They will burn the plastic in no time when it gets hot.

Liberty44140

My mooring cover is only used while the boat is in winter storage inside or if I need to take the camper top pieces home to do a repair, otherwise it's all camper enclosure from May-Oct. I like to keep it open while we are on the boat, weather permitting I open up the middle of the front connector and remove all of the eisenglass aft of the arch. 

nick92675

first couple seasons i did the camper 24/7, now it's mooring.  trying to save camper for only when it's needed and in use. also prevents instruments and everything else from sun damage and the mooring should be cheaper to replace than the camper when it goes, so it takes the brunt of the elements.  camper for overnighting.  then usually it's just bimini up during normal usage.

Cableguy Greg

I rarely use my camper top. I use the cockpit cover when I am overnighting on the boat at the slip and when I am not at the boat during the week. The only time I use the camper top is when I get caught out and it is going to rain.

Ian

All summer - camper top, cover when it gets cooler awaiting haul and winterizing typically although last year I got inside storage so it stayed on longer until the guys (and I) finished doing a few things. Then I pull the cover on until about a week before launch.

Willhound

Don't have a mooring cover and visit the boat about 4 times a week anyway so full camper top up all the time and then remove various panels as required by weather. Top portion always on as we like the shade it provides.
Yes,  eventually it will get Sun beat but regular treatment of canvas and eisenglass helps.

skennelly

Camper top always on for me too.  Visit the boat every weekend and remove rear and side panels...usually leave the windshield connector on but sometimes remove that as well.  Bimini stay's up...I've maybe once or twice folded it to arch position.

Liberty44140

I do cover my dash, all seats and the freezer and fridge fronts with bed sheets to keep from sun damage. I use plastex on the eisenglass to keep them protected. 

JonnyM

I use my mooring cover mostly.  Putting up a camper top is one of my least favorite things to do, I dislike putting it away even more.  When I'm real lazy or its going to rain I have been known to crawl under the mooring cover and sleep in the cabin.

J3ff

Depends on the weather.  If it's going to rain... throw the mooring cover on it.. if it's cold, front windows in.  If warm and no rain for days, just the bimini open.. 

Wildboating

davidbrooks said:

I only have mine on early spring and late fall. It is rare to cruise with It fully on due to backdraft on exhaust and wind resistance.  So I am constantly taking pieces on an off. Like Ras I use my mooring cover most of the time. Whatever you do make sure you purchase spacers so the eisenglass doesn't lay against the SS poles.  They will burn the plastic in no time when it gets hot.

Where do you get spacers?  I asked TJ about this and he said he wasnt aware of them.  

Wildboating

Liberty44140 said:

My mooring cover is only used while the boat is in winter storage inside or if I need to take the camper top pieces home to do a repair, otherwise it's all camper enclosure from May-Oct. I like to keep it open while we are on the boat, weather permitting I open up the middle of the front connector and remove all of the eisenglass aft of the arch. 

I tried this to, i find i dont get enough air flow to the captains seat.   Im going to have to take the front connector / windsheild down more.

RustyS

These are available at West Marine or other marine stores. Come in a package of 6.

Ridiculously expensive for a piece of plastic, but a necessity!

Wildboating

Cableguy Greg said:

I rarely use my camper top. I use the cockpit cover when I am overnighting on the boat at the slip and when I am not at the boat during the week. The only time I use the camper top is when I get caught out and it is going to rain.

How do you use the cockpit cover when you are over nighting?  Do you crawl under it?   Seems like you are locking yourself in.

Cableguy Greg

Wildboating said:

Cableguy Greg said:

I rarely use my camper top. I use the cockpit cover when I am overnighting on the boat at the slip and when I am not at the boat during the week. The only time I use the camper top is when I get caught out and it is going to rain.

How do you use the cockpit cover when you are over nighting?  Do you crawl under it?   Seems like you are locking yourself in.

I crawl in. It also helps keep the cabin dark since the door is translucent. It is a PITA to crawl in, but since I rarely have my camper top up, I feel that it is easier than putting all of the glass up.

reneechris14

Camper top up all the time usually get down to the boat late so nice to it all closed in.all glass down when driving can just see better.wind blows admiral says put it up.sun comes out admiral says take it down I'm hot.Did I tell you I love boating.

Stodge

We leave the camper top up.  About the only time the mooring cover sees the light of day is between the time the boat is put up on land and the shrink wrap goes on.

jhofmann

Only have the camper top, I was going to have a mooring made, but the first few years I spent so much time working on the boat, it was easier with the camper top. I take the top off and fold the bimini for trailering, bimini up for hot sunny days, windshield connector and side curtains when raining, camper top for overnighting and covering for the season. I make a structure and tarp it for the winter. 

JoeStang

I'm mooring cover from Memorial day to Labor day, but I always keep the camper setup on the boat in case of rain or a chilly day during the summer. I dont have AC / heat, so I have to adjust the canvas based on weather. The colder months I leave the camper on all the time, and usually take the rear piece off its it nice enough to lay out on the sunpad.

I dont get any station wagon effect (and yes I have a portable CO detector on the boat). I wonder if my slant back is better for preventing that, versus a straight back rear piece.

davidbrooks

@Wildboating.  WestMarine or other locations have them.  http://www.discountmarinestore.com/Bimini-Curtain-Spacer-7-8-p388.html.  Get Extra.  The little buggers pop off into the water at times.

craigswardmtb

I leave the camper top up all the time on the 360 and remove different panels every time we are down.  I always leave the side panels up under the swim arch as they are a pita to put up.  I usually always leave the front port side windshield panel up to block the spray and wind while underway from hitting the admiral and kids.  My only concern is the eisenglass gets beat up pretty quickly from the sun when you leave it up all the time.  However since i started using 404 clear eisenglass protectant it seems to make it hold up better.  All those 404 products are great!
On my old 270 the cockpit cover was better fitting and easier to manage being a smaller boat, so i rarely put the camper top up unless there was weather.