MacGregorSailors.com

A while back (on the old forum) someone had posted a summary of the full cockpit enclosures available for the 26x... I think there were 3 different makes mentioned, with prices, pros/cons, etc. of each.

I'd sincerely appreciate it if whoever posted that could post it once again.

Thanks!

--Mike

I would suspect it was one of my posts you read.

There are currently three ready made enclosures available for the 26X.
Components used in each are a wide dodger, a bimini, a connector panel that bridges the gap between the two fixed roofs, and then assorted side panels that act as walls and windows.

The lowest priced is the one fromPowerSailing, It is the most basic in design and features and last I checked was in the $1,700 range. It does have screened windows. Some find it's dodger too wide as you have to unzip part of the window to have a place to step going forward. It also uses a under boom bimini, just like the factory available sunshade. This gives you a large protected area, but only allows about 5'6" headroom standing underneath. It also gives you the most privacy as this enclosure has the least window area. The enclosure sold by Havencraft/Macgregorparts.com is the same unit. Look at the pedestal cover picture to get a feel for the interior view.

Next up in price is the Bluewater Yachts one, the dealer in Seattle. Their web site is poor so I would call them. Their enclosure has a more marine look to it. It is a under boom style, and does not have screened windows. It does have more glass area ,particularly the view forward. Here a mod with a picture. Their price is $2,300.

And finally the most expensive and different design is the Dowsar product, a mac dealer in Ontario Canada. It comes in at $3,300 give or take a bit depending on the exchange rate. Here are pictures of it on my boat. Rather than a under boom bimini it uses a behind the boom bimini which allows 6'2" headroom. The interior volume is tremendous. It has a huge amount of glass area and both the sides and back have zip open screened windows. The front of the dodger also zips open. There are many other distinguishing things; Completely self supporting without any tie down straps, both the bimini and dodger include support tubes and the bimini uses a inovative fore and aft spreader bar to keep things nice and tight without straps that get in your way going in and out. There are interior pockets, all bows and deck hardware are stainless, the dodger has exterior grab loops. The dodger also extends well back into the cockpit providing complete protection for the seats at the front. The side doors open back rather than up for better dock access.

You'll find many more pictures at my web site that show it off.

Which is best depends on your needs and budget. For us the number one priority was protected space in bad weather. You can't beat the dowsar for this. The others do a better job of providing shade in hot weather since their bimini's are larger 3 bow ones instead of the 2 bows of the Dowsar. I almost bought the Bluewater, but I just couldn't get past dropping that much money for an enclosure and not being able to stand up in it. When I first saw the Dowsar pictures I was sold. It's the only thing I can think of where my wife was thrilled we had spend money on something for the boat.

Thanks, Duane, this was exactly what I was looking for. Screens are a must, so that rules out BWY. I like the idea of having standing headroom, as well as the other neat stuff about the Dowsar. Quick question... how do you deal with the mainsheet? I assume for sailing it's a simple matter of just omitting the connector panel. But at anchor (if you want to be bug-free) do you remove the mainsheet? Also, have you found the enclosure to hamper your ability to sail the boat (handling genoa sheets, pulling the main down, etc.)?

--Mike

The connector comes out for sailing. Usually you also remove the forward side panels, but you can sail with them in upwind. The canvas does not limit line handling other than you can no longer spin you winch handle 360 degrees. I have a boom kicker which keeps the boom above the dodger so there is no problem handling the sail.

When not sailing I move the mainsheet out to the pulpit lifeline loop. I also have a topping lift cable on my backstay from before I put on the boomkicker. Clipping the boom to the topping lift wire and opposing it with the mainsheet keeps the boom locked in place off to the side. I put keystone shackles at both ends of the mainsheet for quick release, and if I don't plan on sailing I'll pull off the mainsheet all together and store it below in it's sheet bag. I then just loop a line down to the side pulpits from the bail. Early versions of the connector had a velcro slit for the mainsheet. Mine doesn't have this and I don't miss it. No leak worries.

I too have the Dowsar full enclosure and am very happy with it. It's like adding another room to the boat. However, one think I encountered last season is that when I left the aft quarter panels in place and sailed in 15-20 winds, I had difficulty tacking. The boat would tack through the eye of the wind onto the new tack. However, before I could build up sufficient speed, the aft quarter enclosure panels acted as the feathers on a weathercock and swung the boat back into the wind. Once I removed these panels, the problem disappeared.

Bob Cameron
Spirit of the Wind

(Too bad I can't register both my boat name and my name

Hey folks: I have the Power Sailing Enclosure, and have pasted a reply I put on the other list a while back, as I may be the guy Mike was thinking about. It shows the original questions at the bottom.
Thanks, Randy
2001 "Sea's N Ticket"



Hi Mark: I have a full enclosure and will take a shot at your questions.
> I think it will extend the odd season, but not always. My troubles are
> sometimes more related to scheduling around our work and other demands. I
> imagine people who use their boat more (left in water) would extend more.
> It definitely helps use of the boat for us. It provides versatility and
> comfort for the Admiral especially. One 2 week trip we slept on the boat at
> a marina. It was up most nights, providing room, privacy, and kept the
> weather off..sun & rain. Some places we go have a lot of bugs, and know it
> will be very much appreciated for that in future. Don't use it for sailing
> yet, but will move the bail on my boom forward as mentioned by others on
> list in past... allowing main sheet to run forward of bimini. (Doesn't look
> like an issue on Dowsar, due to shorter looking bimini). Right now I don't
> expect doing that too often but the option will be there for future, when I
> use the boat much more.
> Things to watch out for.... I had a pro help install mine, and didn't
> regret the couple hundred bucks. He has been custom building them for years
> and had a very successful shop. I originally wanted him to build mine, but
> he said it would have raised price (over a grand?). The instructions had
> what he thought was a flaw, and I agreed it looked like starting in the
> wrong place. They called for starting in back corner, but we thought better
> to start at the stanchion it wraps around near the winch, port side.
> Drilling that many holes in right out in the open, I wanted a little comfort
> they were in the right place. It is tough to stretch it out and hold in
> place to verify, before drilling. We found there were places the
> fiberglass was more thin than wanted, so he gave me some special screws with
> the snap heads, that are larger diameter threads. They are used when
> original screws rip out, and you replace with these. Have not had that
> problem yet. I also put 4200 in each hole. The Dowsar does appear to be
> taller in aft, which would be nice, as I have to push up the rear bar with
> one hand while opening the helm seat all the way. It is ok after past
> totally vertical though. I am looking for a fix for that, as I sometimes
> have brushed it in a hurry.
> But, the Dowsar is twice the cost if memory serves??
> I bought the Power Sail one, and was satisfied with construction, other
> than above mentioned. It is good enough quality for $, but as mentioned by a
> few of us in past, the guy there wasn't the easiest to deal with. I could
> hardly get a response from him after telling him I wanted to buy. I have
> looked over 4 places now, and he seemed best value. I got the full rig, all
> walls, windows, screens, dodger etc. I would love it if the bimini bars
> were easier to collapse, and fold up for stowing. That is biggest pain in
> ass for me...anyone have that one fixed? I am thinking of finding and
> installing some sort of hinges in the center ?? Or a good place to stow? I
> would need a closer look at the Dowsar to evaluate which is better. I don't
> think the bimini alone provides much shade on it, just going by pics. We
> use bimini alone quite often, on hot sunny days with no wind to stay out of
> sun. We don't bother with dodger for that, and get good enough shade. It
> looks like the Dowsar needs the dodger up to attach that long skirt to the
> bimini, but I could be wrong? May not be an issue for some. One more
> option I may add to bimini is a window in the roof, to see windex and main
> from my favorite perch. That is if in future I start using it under sail
> quite a bit.
> Hope that helps, Randy
> 2001 Sea's N Ticket
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Erickson" <sterickson_2000@yahoo.com>
> To: <mac26x-list@sailnet.net>
> Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 10:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Mac26x] A question for owners of a "Full-enclosure" cockpit
> canvas
>
>
> > I have the full enclosure.
> >
> > I have only used the entire enclosure at night. It worked great as the
> entire cockpit is usable for sleeping area, etc. (I have screens and
> windows).
> >
> > The dodger plus Bimini works great for motoring into rough seas as waves
> breaking on the bow tend to end up in the cockpit. I have also used it for
> sailing in the rain.
> >
> > Of course, when sailing, having NO enclosure is preferred due to
> visibility and a sense of freedom. However, sailing with parts of the
> enclosure in bad weather is acceptable.
> >
> > I hope this helps.
> >
> > Steve
> > 2001 26X Wind Song
> >
> > Jon Borough <JWBorough@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> > Hi Mark,
> >
> > Don't know if this qualifies as an enclosure or not but I have a Bimini
> > which hasn't been up, except for trying it at home with the boat on the
> > trailer. I haven't wanted to take the time to rig it for the day sailing
> we
> > do. My feeling is that it would be in the way for sailing but ok for
> > keeping the sun off while motoring. The cruising folks would probably find
> > it less troublesome. I understand the dodgers that some have are really
> > good for overnighting.
> >
> > Jon Borough
> > Wind Song '99 26x
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Galbraith, Mark"
> > To: "Mac26x-List (E-mail)"
> > Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 11:15 AM
> > Subject: [Mac26x] A question for owners of a "Full-enclosure" cockpit
> canvas
> >
> >
> > I have seen the recent pictures from the Northwest, and the Dowsar canvas
> > full-enclosure looks interesting to me. My questions, however, are not
> > limited to owners of the Dowser products.
> >
> > Do you find that you are able to extend your sailing (or boating) season
> > because you own an enclosure?
> >
> > Do you find the enclosure helps or hinders your use of the boat?
> >
> > Are there things I should watch out for when shopping for an enclosure?
> >
> > What enclosure option did you choose? From which manufacturer?
> >
> > If price was not a concern, would you choose the same option again? If
> not,
> > which (if any) other option would you choose?
> >
> > If you have wisdom to share, you may answer me directly in private email.
> > I'll summarize any private responses back to the list. Of course, you may
> > also reply on-list if you choose; or even ignore this message. It's up to
> > you.
> >
> > --
> > Mark Galbraith
> > CERT UNIX Application Engineer
> > Data Return LLC