Full Enclosure

Without a doubt the most expensive and arguably the best mod we have done to the boat.

The enclosure we have was purchased from Dowsar Marine in Ontario Canada.  Of the full enclosures on the market it is unique in a number of ways.  It consists of 5 units that combine to completely enclose the cockpit adding a much needed second room to the 26x.  It is made of Sunbrella fabric in the color "Silver".  The workmanship on this product is absolutely excellent.  It was shipped UPS from Canada and I was able to install it myself in a weekend.

• Dodger ^{*new 03*}
  
  The Dodger is the height of most of the 26x dodgers, but is of an in between width that makes it work wonderfully.  Wider than the simple companionway dodgers it spans nearly the full width of the cabintop.  It stops just short of the toe rail and gives you a shoe width section of deck to step on going forward.  This provides full spray protection yet does not require that anything be unzipped or unsnapped to walk forward.  The dodger also extends 18" back into the cockpit while most others stop at the back of the cabintop.  This provides two fully protected seats at the front of the cockpit.  It has a zip out front window, interior pockets, a grab strap on the roof and is fully self supporting with it's standoffs on quick pins.  You also gain handy storage space inside on each side.
   
• Bimini ^{*new 03*}
  
  The bimini is quite different than most.  It is tall giving 6'2" headroom at the steering pedestal and front to back stops just behind the end of the boom so you can sail with it in place.  All the other systems on the market use a longer bimini that is lower and passes under the boom.  I found the 5'-5" headroom offered by them to be unacceptable.  The bimini includes rear stand up supports and it has a spreader bar that runs front to back between the two bows keeping the top tight.  This allows it to be free standing without any straps.  The bimini attaches to the aft pulpit on each side.  The bimini extends completely to the aft end of the cockpit and the backstay passes through the bimini roof.  When the side panels are attached the bimini supports are on the outside of the panel rather than inside.
   
• Connector Panel ^{*new 03*}
  
  The connector panel is a long sloping piece of canvas that zips in between the dodger and the bimini completing the roof.  It must be removed to sail.  This roof provides great sun and rain protection.
   
• Side Curtains ^{*new 03*}
  
  The side curtains consists of 5 panels that connect together all around the dodger/connector/bimini unit to enclose the cockpit.  They zip together with a series of zippers and attach at the bottom with snaps.  The two side panels and the rear panel have full screens that are sewn in and the glass behind the screen can be zipped down for air circulation.  The two side panels can be unzipped at the front and partially along the top and then folded back and snapped to the bimini bow to make a opening door for great access at docks.  The rear panel rolls up out of the way.  The two fixed aft side panels have special flaps that allow access to the rear dock cleats.
   
• Underseat Panel ^{*new 03*}
  
  The enclosure is completed with a fabric panel that attaches under the helm seat and closes in that opening.

Sometime in the near future I may sew in two forward facing windows in the connector panel to allow better forward visibility when standing.  I also plan to add some grommets and some short tent type poles that will allow the side and the rear panels to be poled out like awnings for even better rain protection when at docks or at anchor.  The rear one will create a protected dinghy landing area and keep me dry when BBQ'ing.