Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

[ClassyGlassy]

Tax Return is scheduled to be in the bank on the 5th.....so I found a local upholstery lady that makes custom boat covers to agree to make me a full slopeback enclosure and matching bow cover for a VERY good price!

Here is the example of what she's going to make me in Sunbrella Pacific Blue.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

Did you price out a full stand-up enclosure? We had a slope back on our last boat and full stand-up on our current boat and find the latter to vastly superior. Not sure why, but it makes the cockpit feel bigger when it's up.

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

I've thought of doing a taller slopeback instead of a full standup. I was quoted $550 for a complete slopeback that is 24" taller than the original convertible top I have now, no plastic windows just solid zippered/removable sections so that I can trailer it with the top up and zippered in as well as using it as a mooring cover. We plan on boating with just the top on, no sides or aft sections! Virtually she will be making me a custom Bimini with zippered sides and rear as well as the matching bow cover! All for the price of $550...........

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

I guess this isn't a very popular type of thing to add to your boat! I've had 1 response to this.........

 

[halas]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

What size is your boat? What canvas material to be used, sumbrella or top gun? What kind of rigid support? stainless? 2 or 3? The fornt bimini part will lay on the winsheild when folded or standing up? Being taller will it catch too much wind like a sail? I have similar plan for my 18' aluminum Starcraft, but have questions.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

I guess this isn't a very popular type of thing to add to your boat!

guess i don't understand the question.
i have a hardtop boat. so i always have a top up. i have what aristocraft calls an aft curtain for it too. snaps onto the back of the hardtop and then to the aft deck and all along the sides. i become fully enclosed.

i think it's worth it's weight in gold. love it even. i go boating in the rain. i sleep on board my 19'er. i boat in the cold. so for sure, get one.

mine is similar in set up to your pic. it slopes to the back. if i could do it anyway i wanted. i would probably have it at least same height as the hardtop. it would need a frame and more material. while the aft curtain does enclose me. i loose that area while enclosed as a place i can go to. cealing height is to low. if it were same height as the hardtop. it would be even more useful. as is, the space is used for gear. which isn't all bad. gotta store it somewhere when your overnighting..

edit. whatever ya have made, have it be as easy as possible to deploy so you use it. think about when it will be deployed too. ya gotta be able to put it up in high winds and waves, and at night while on the water. + think about where it will be stored on board. i'd think depending on what you get, it could be a space robber when not in use and stored..

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

my boat is 15' and it just got done TODAY!! I went with 18" higher than the windshield and went nearly all the way back.....see for yourself.

When towing today with my '87 Suburban it didn't sail at all......it stuck right behind me and it did very well at 65mph down I25 through the middle of Colorado Springs.....one of the deadliest stretches of highway in all of Colorado!

We used Sunbrella Pacific Blue reinforced with webstrapping around the edges and stainless snaps. We used our original frame with 18" extension tubing. here's the pics:

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

used some leftover material and made an engine cover as well.....

We need a few more snaps here and there and it's done!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

looks like yer gonna be boatin in the rain now man. very nice work. just the wind break is a real winner. with your hip design, ya should have plenty of room to move around too. way to go.. enjoy...

 

[halas]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

That is a practical addition. Hope it will work out well for you. How much headroom is there under the bimini? How many inches high is it at the highest point form the deck (floor)? It looks as if it has 2 support members and maybe a strap that is holding it back and tight.? Can it be laid on the windshield out of the way if needed by undoing the 2 straps?
I am curious since I want the same setup for my boat.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

60" from the deck. Yes it has the "Y" style frame and the "straps" are built as part of the top. You make it taught by adjusting the frame. It will fold forward or backwards out of the way. I'm getting the bimini cover done as we speak.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

I guess this isn't a very popular type of thing to add to your boat! I've had 1 response to this.........

Everybody has their own likes and dislikes. Personally, I have exactly what you are looking at and I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't like the standup type cause I don't like to stand up...LOL

As far as using it as an overnight cover at the dock....I wouldn't do it. That's too good to leave up all the time. I'd use a mooring cover instead. They are cheaper to replace.

Also, DON'T trail with it up. Fast way to ruin it. Buy a trailerable mooring cover to do double duty.

 

[halas]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

Everybody has their own likes and dislikes. Personally, I have exactly what you are looking at and I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't like the standup type cause I don't like to stand up...LOL

As far as using it as an overnight cover at the dock....I wouldn't do it. That's too good to leave up all the time. I'd use a mooring cover instead. They are cheaper to replace.

Also, DON'T trail with it up. Fast way to ruin it. Buy a trailerable mooring cover to do double duty.

Jim, After reading the above I am thinking that I should order the hardtop style bimini only and not the slope back cover.
I am not going to use the boat for camping, so I don't need a full camper style cover. While boating I only want to use the top and removable plastic side windows for protection from the elements. When I am done I would just fold the top forward so it would lay on the dashboard just inside the windshield. This way I could snap on the regular mooring cove from the windshield aft to cover the cockpit for towing or mooring. Do you think that is a good idea? Here in Ohio we have Amish tarp shops providing great service on any order. I should take a drive out there Monday and change the plan. The Amish have my boat in their barn but they don't have a phone.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

It's entirely up to you. If you want to save money, then delete the stern curtain. I bought the whole package just becasue I wanted everything to match. Only put the curtain up twice....both times in thunder storms and I was sure glad I had it.

If you buy one, be sure to have a window sewn in the center. I forgot when i ordered mine, but my wife put one in without too much rouble.

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

we didn't put windows in the sides or rear because we'll only use them for mooring covers and winter storage under the boat cover for that added protection with the snow.

It snowed 6 inches this past Sunday and the cover has done it's job!!! As far as trailering with this cover, we have sewen in straps for tieing it down forward, middle, and aft. It's not going anywhere and at 65mph down the highway it didn't cause any problems, never whipped anywhere, and if it comes apart I'll be VERY surprised. We here in Colorado don't get to boat very much as there isn't much water to do so on, so most of our time is sitting on a trailer waiting to go a couple of weekends each month in the summer, then sitting for 8 or 9 months back on that trailer again!

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

Trailing is tough on any canvas!!!

 

[recce43]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

here is my canvas just got but i assume you could do the same thing

 

[halas]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

here is my canvas just got but i assume you could do the same thing

Nice job.
Do you have any problems with the exhaust gases getting trapped inside?

 

[ClassyGlassy]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

my old one was similar, but I needed more head room. And as far as trailering goes........to each his own!

Canvas used in ANY way will eventually thin and tear with the wind. If good marine canvas couldn't be used to trailer, then what makes you think it will stand the abuse of 30-40mph of driving on the lake?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Slopeback Enclosure on my '72 Invader

my old one was similar, but I needed more head room. And as far as trailering goes........to each his own!

Canvas used in ANY way will eventually thin and tear with the wind. If good marine canvas couldn't be used to trailer, then what makes you think it will stand the abuse of 30-40mph of driving on the lake?

If you drive 15 minutes to the launch ramp at 30 mph as I do, then no problem. If you drive 30 mph all day long on the lake, then no problem. However, that's rarely the case. On the lake you vary your speed and 40 mph is tops but only for short periods.

Go on the Interstate at 65 mph and that's a different story.

Anyway, it's just my experience. If you can buy canvas cheeply, then go for it. Its easy to replace.