Cockpit Cover seal around Radar Arch

[Dave S]

My cockpit cover does not seal tightly around the radar arch. The problem I have now is every time I wash my boat I get a fair amount of water in the cockpit. It runs in right where the cover attaches to the arch on the boat. This attachment point is not snug against the arch and I see no way to make it snug. So I was thinking of having a canvas shop sew a "bib" onto the cover right where the cover attaches to the arch. This bib would then attach at a higher point than the existing cover does on the arch. It would require additional snaps or velcro be put on the arch to make a tight seal.

Does anyone else have the same problem I do and has anyone come up with a solution?

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Here's a thought:
Maybe have the canvas shop line the cover, where it meets the arch with flexible gasket material, and add canvas straps just forward and aft of the arch, so that they could be wrapped around the outside of the arch, and velcro'ed together. :smt001

 

[Dave S]

There is a rubber gasket sewn to this area on the cover right now. But because of the way it snaps on the arch it doesn't fit tightly and has gaps everywhere. That's why I thought a "bib might take care of it.

 

[lorenbennett]

Dave, I have the same problem. I quit using it, I wash the boat and I have a full cover that goes over the arch clear down to the trailer. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave S]

Most of the problems with the gaps are caused by the fact that the snaps also have to hold the cover up in the air as well. So if you put a strain on the cover just from it's own weight or from the center support poles it's naturally not going to hold flush against the arch. A small bib on the other hand that wont have to support the weight and strain of the cover and ought to seal it pretty well is what I am thinking now. I am going to have to get some pictures of the cover so folks can see what is happening on mine.

BTW......How does Sea Ray handle the attachment point on arches of other models of Sundancers besides the 260DA? :smt017

 

[gyrospiro]

I have the same problem on my 340, there is a lot of strain on the snaps at the arch, sometimes its hard for them to stay snapped.

 

[skolbe]

Dave -

The 320 is the same way. I would have them sew in a vinyl flap and then maybe install 3 snaps up higher.