Camper tops and real world use

Hillcountry · 04-15-2016, 10:58 AM

Just wondering if camper tops are worth the extra expense and worth storing on a 19 ft bowrider?
We have the bimini, of course but were thinking of adding the top for extra shelter while boating in the cooler weather (think salmon trolling)

Anyone with comments or suggestions on real world experience wouldbe appreciated!

The Real BigGuy · 04-15-2016, 12:18 PM

You hit it on the head. Early in the year and late in the fall when it cools down the full canvas is a god send just because you get out of the breeze. You feel 10 degrees warmer.

During the season when it rains i really enjoy not being stung by the rain that comes under the bimini. At slower speeds it always seemd that the rain was coming from a side and someone was getting wet.

Well worth the investment even with having to figure out where to store the curtains in nice warm weather.

Water Camper · 04-15-2016, 12:29 PM

I have the full camper canvas and love it. Especially when staying overnight on the boat.

Hope that helps,
Bill

Dave R · 04-15-2016, 01:23 PM

Having had two boats without it, and one with it, I think it's worth double whatever they are charging for it. I LOVE my camper canvas. It turns nearly any crappy weather day into a boating day, and when nice days turn ugly, it's wonderful to have the option. For me, it's a must-have on any open boat.

Bandrews7 · 04-15-2016, 02:49 PM

Complete must have. Had it on my 21 and could not have utilized the boat the way I did without it. Turned a small Cuddy into a true weekender.

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Just Sold · 04-15-2016, 03:39 PM

I had the camper canvas on a previous boat and loved having it. 2 Other boats came with side and aft curtains which worked OK but not as good as the camper canvas. My 18' Stingray only has the factory top so I am thinking of putting on side curtains for those cool days on the water.

radiocontester · 04-15-2016, 03:44 PM

How do you guys store the camper canvas on the boat? Roll it up? I'd like to store in the mid-cabin but laying it out will take up a lot of space.

Thanks.

Bandrews7 · 04-15-2016, 05:09 PM

I roll it up. Always have. Never had any issues rolling. NEVER FOLD.

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Leoskeys · 04-15-2016, 07:48 PM

We leave the camper on For most of the season! It makes covering the boat on the dock at end of day and end of weekend easier, as the full enclosure/camper keeps all elements out of the boat mid-week. So in addition to protecting from cold temps, amd wind, it also makes protecting the interior of boat easier when not in use.

Old Sarge · 04-15-2016, 08:23 PM

I was thinking you could roll it up and store it in a 4" diameter pvc pipe so it does not get crushed. Light weight, cheap and easy to store. I only have front and side curtains, a full camper enclosure might need a wider pipe or more than one.

Hillcountry · 04-15-2016, 08:57 PM

Wow! Thanks for all the great answers!
Looks like we'll be a "go" on the enclosure...now to find a canvas company that can get it done. One has an opening in mid August but I'd like to get it done sooner.
Going to make some calls tomorrow.

Descant · 04-16-2016, 05:06 PM

I roll up the side curtains and they fit under the cushions in the cuddy storage area. Maybe you don't have a cuddy on a 19'? Many campers roll up and store on the bows. You may be able to roll your side curtains around the bows and then cover with a separate zippered cover. Tell the canvas fabricator if you want to do this, so he can make the cover a little larger. I also have, from a previous owner, two bags for some of the miscellaneous canvas. One red one green, as some of the custom pieces are hard to figure out if you don't know which side to start on. He was from Florida and covered everything to protect fcrm the sun, e.g. a bimini top but additional cover to go over the seats, sun pad, etc. Anyway, I liked the colored bag idea. How about a dock box?
When I won't be using the boat for an extended period, I have a cockpit cover so that the isinglass isn't out in the sun so much and thus doesn't discolor.

04-15-2016, 10:58 AM	#1
Hillcountry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: In the hills Posts: 2,346 Thanks: 1,589 Thanked 763 Times in 457 Posts	Camper tops and real world use Just wondering if camper tops are worth the extra expense and worth storing on a 19 ft bowrider? We have the bimini, of course but were thinking of adding the top for extra shelter while boating in the cooler weather (think salmon trolling) Anyone with comments or suggestions on real world experience wouldbe appreciated!

04-15-2016, 12:18 PM	#2
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 108 Thanked 410 Times in 244 Posts	Best thing I did with the boat You hit it on the head. Early in the year and late in the fall when it cools down the full canvas is a god send just because you get out of the breeze. You feel 10 degrees warmer. During the season when it rains i really enjoy not being stung by the rain that comes under the bimini. At slower speeds it always seemd that the rain was coming from a side and someone was getting wet. Well worth the investment even with having to figure out where to store the curtains in nice warm weather.

04-15-2016, 12:29 PM	#3
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 450 Thanks: 10 Thanked 206 Times in 88 Posts	Full Camper Canvas I have the full camper canvas and love it. Especially when staying overnight on the boat. Hope that helps, Bill

04-15-2016, 02:49 PM	#5
Bandrews7 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Holden, ma Posts: 45 Thanks: 44 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Complete must have. Had it on my 21 and could not have utilized the boat the way I did without it. Turned a small Cuddy into a true weekender. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Isabethan"

04-15-2016, 03:39 PM	#6
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,612 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 433 Times in 209 Posts	I had the camper canvas on a previous boat and loved having it. 2 Other boats came with side and aft curtains which worked OK but not as good as the camper canvas. My 18' Stingray only has the factory top so I am thinking of putting on side curtains for those cool days on the water. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

04-15-2016, 01:23 PM	#4
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	Having had two boats without it, and one with it, I think it's worth double whatever they are charging for it. I LOVE my camper canvas. It turns nearly any crappy weather day into a boating day, and when nice days turn ugly, it's wonderful to have the option. For me, it's a must-have on any open boat.

The Following User Says Thank You to Bandrews7 For This Useful Post:
WINNOCTURN (04-16-2016)

04-15-2016, 03:44 PM	#7
radiocontester Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southern NH Posts: 154 Thanks: 36 Thanked 37 Times in 20 Posts	How do you guys store the camper canvas on the boat? Roll it up? I'd like to store in the mid-cabin but laying it out will take up a lot of space. Thanks.

04-15-2016, 05:09 PM	#8
Bandrews7 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Holden, ma Posts: 45 Thanks: 44 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	I roll it up. Always have. Never had any issues rolling. NEVER FOLD. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Isabethan"

04-15-2016, 07:48 PM	#9
Leoskeys Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 147 Thanks: 131 Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts	We leave the camper on For most of the season! It makes covering the boat on the dock at end of day and end of weekend easier, as the full enclosure/camper keeps all elements out of the boat mid-week. So in addition to protecting from cold temps, amd wind, it also makes protecting the interior of boat easier when not in use.

04-15-2016, 08:23 PM	#10
Old Sarge Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 150 Thanks: 106 Thanked 63 Times in 29 Posts	Idea for storage I was thinking you could roll it up and store it in a 4" diameter pvc pipe so it does not get crushed. Light weight, cheap and easy to store. I only have front and side curtains, a full camper enclosure might need a wider pipe or more than one.

04-15-2016, 08:57 PM	#11
Hillcountry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: In the hills Posts: 2,346 Thanks: 1,589 Thanked 763 Times in 457 Posts	Wow! Thanks for all the great answers! Looks like we'll be a "go" on the enclosure...now to find a canvas company that can get it done. One has an opening in mid August but I'd like to get it done sooner. Going to make some calls tomorrow.

04-16-2016, 05:06 PM	#12
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 1,208 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	Canvas Storage I roll up the side curtains and they fit under the cushions in the cuddy storage area. Maybe you don't have a cuddy on a 19'? Many campers roll up and store on the bows. You may be able to roll your side curtains around the bows and then cover with a separate zippered cover. Tell the canvas fabricator if you want to do this, so he can make the cover a little larger. I also have, from a previous owner, two bags for some of the miscellaneous canvas. One red one green, as some of the custom pieces are hard to figure out if you don't know which side to start on. He was from Florida and covered everything to protect fcrm the sun, e.g. a bimini top but additional cover to go over the seats, sun pad, etc. Anyway, I liked the colored bag idea. How about a dock box? When I won't be using the boat for an extended period, I have a cockpit cover so that the isinglass isn't out in the sun so much and thus doesn't discolor.