Pop-top? workaround?

[BruceW]

Okay, just thinking ahead to some possible overnighting trips this summer. I don't have a  bimini yet, but when I do, I'll hope it can be set to slide forward to overhand the cabin opening.

Then I saw someone's posting for one of those types of sailboats that has pop-tops. Wouldn't that be a cool thing to rig. Well, I have no clue how to accomplish that with CP 23, so I got to thinking, maybe a dodger or some other cavassy type gizmo that could be deployed with the sliding hatch open. I do have a tarp I can rig over the boom.

Next, of course, I'll need screens; I don't think I have one for forward hatch; I do have one of those circular mosquito nets that could drape over something.

Any of yawl got a good combo for what I'm thinking?

Bruce

[hockeyfool]

 I think if you look up the archives in the search field for cp23's - you will find discussion about this very idea of the bimini with sliding track; which many models were made with that option;
  Since mine is not, I  measured 3 times and placed marks for a second set of mounts for the bimini attachment arms. So - mine can be unscrewed from the back position to forward and down ; out of way for
sailing/trimming , ect.   this attachment mounts can be screwed or thru bolted on the combings, or epoxied and taped into place.

[MacGyver]

When I bought mine for my 19, it had the option for those tracks which I bought. I like the adjust-ability option.

Mac

[brackish]

My Bimini has the sliding track but I've never checked if it can be moved forward enough to adequeately cover the companionway.  The best summer anchorage cover I ever had on a boat was a large cover that went from the mast back to the stern that was supported from above with a halyard attached to a bridle and the outer edge stabilized with guy lines to the lifelines.  It had pvc pipe running through sleeves at three places that broke down for storage and a slit for the backstay.  Because it was above the boom, it had standing headroom in the cockpit which the bimini does not.  It is on my list to make for the 23.

I made a screen drop board which give plenty of ventilation at night.  Pic below.  I still have to keep a length of pipe insulation on board to stuff in the gap between the top of the board and the sliding hatch to keep the bugs out.  My forward hatch came with a sreen as did all the portholes.  If your forward hatch is a standard Bomar, they may have a screen you can get for it.  I can use the forward hatch screen with my windscoop, which is another essential summer anchorage item.



This is not a very good picture but this is the bridle supported cover deployed on my last boat. 

[BruceW]

Brackish,

That canopy looks like a cool idea; do you pull the boom up, or just tie it out to leave room? I understand there's a fitting you can have on the mast end of the boom that would allow it to be pulled up, by putting the halyard on the other end of the boom.

Anyway, I will check on the front hatch. It's just a cover, not clear, and I assume a standard piece from Hutchins.

I feel like I want a bimini, but I just haven't got around to deciding.

Next step is that hatch screen; I have one of those wind scoops. Also have a net with elastic around it that might work to cover the space where the hatchboard would go, until I make what you have done with the screened hatcboard.

Appreciate the ideas.

[brackish]

On that boat we just raised the boom up a little with the topping lift and didn't mess with the mast end.  Still had to duck under it a little but standing headroom to the side.  The boom was not used in any way to hold up the canopy. 

I do have a Bimini for my 23 and it is nice to have, designed so you can operate the main with it in place.  That is something I could not do with the bridle mounted canopy, however, we would normally use it on a run with the spinnaker coming back from the islands and would always opt for the shade over the little bit of extra speed we might get out of the main in the heat of the summer.

If I make one for the 23, think I'll add either drop down or detachable side panels for multi season use.