posted 09-15-2003 10:00 PM ET (US)        

I have the Mills full enclosure on my 1990 Revenge 22 W/T. When the boat is at rest, it stays pretty dry, except for the gasket under the center windshield that lets water run down the starboard console area and around the electonics on the port side. When leaving the boat on the trailer (or moored), I've made two Sunbrella "flaps" (one for the full enclosure and one for the Mills Cockpit cover) that cover the center windshield and don't allow water to drain over the center windshield at all (all water stays on the Sunbrella). With the enclosure up, I've secured the flap under the bimini's weather flap where it secures to the Mills windshield with velco, the bottom is secured with a single bungie cord around the bow rail and secured to grommets I've added to the flap.

I've also sewn on 5 2-inch square "patches" of velcro evenly spaced across the inside of the weather flap on the forward edge of the bimini and the top of the Mills windshield -they hold the flap down in the wind and that cuts down a lot of drips from there (I think I might add a solid strip of velcro this winter as JoAnn's Fabrics sometimes has 15' of 2" black velcro for $4 on sale).

Pursuit and Grady White use slide in tracks in places. That seems like a good idea, but tough to retrofit to a 13- yr old enclosure. Short of adding velcro everywhere, what ideas do you guys have for staying dry... besides not going boating?

Thanks.

posted 09-15-2003 11:33 PM ET (US)         

A strip of electrical or mystic tape directly on the zippers, will prevent driven water from coming though the "teeth".

posted 09-16-2003 10:51 AM ET (US)            

SE Alaska is not known for its sunny and warm weather, though I did spend five days in Sitka a few weeks ago and had nothing but sunny 70 degree weather with light winds the whole time except the morning I flew out when it was drizzling. I think I actually heard some locals complaining about the heat!

Ask yourself how many days you spend on the water with the canvas stowed. I bet it's not too many. Most sport fishing boats in Alaska have more permanent enclosures if not outright pilot houses. Maybe it's time to consider a hardtop or semi-hardtop for your boat?

Though this is not a 22 Walk-Through, it is a nice example of a semi-hardtop applied to a Revenge 22: http://home.comcast.net/~tomwclark/Russ_V-22.jpeg

posted 09-16-2003 12:46 PM ET (US)            

I do spray with waterproofing spray - nothing leaks through the canvas - that's OK. And my windshield repels water just fine, but can always use another waxing. But I do like that electrical tape idea. That should reduce some of the water intrusion. I'll give it a try.

Tom W -

When it gets to the high-60s, lower-70s, its just plain "uncomfortable" here! That's when you go boating - where the water is always cooler. Imagine trying to sleep at night when the room temp is in the 70s - how do people do it? Low 60s is much better! There's a Revenge V-22 in town with an aluminum "deckhouse" - solid windshield and side curtains, with an aft canvas drop curtain. Looks really solid and is painted desert tan to match the boat. Very nicely done. I've called the local welding shop that made it, and they're researching when they did it and how much. I like Russ's V-22 top also.

But, there is nothing like a sunny day in a Whaler with no top over your head! I look at folks in C-Dory's, or others that are always inside or always have their canvas up, and I just think that they're really missing something. Of course, they're dry in the rain though.