Bimini and sprayhood replacement

[rob57]

Have any J43ds owners got recent experience of replacement costs for a new bimini and sprayhood? Any info would be welcome. Thanks

[rxc]

I have just got a quote for replacement of my 16 year old dodger, bimini, enclosure, and transition piece from the Cover Loft in Annapolis. ~$14k - I am going to have it done in Aug-Sep while the boat is on the hard before going back to FL.

[mickmeck]

What are you having done? Side shades? What quality glass are you going with? I stopped by the other day and they said they would give me a call but I haven't heard anything. 

Is your sprayhood the same height as your bimini or is it lower? 

I am trying to get estimates to replace mine - it was originally from the Cover Loft - I am thinking about 20 years ago.

[Charlie-Bravo]

Presuming you are to reuse the framework and not having a new frame, I would estimate £2000 - 2500 if you were in Wales UK.

When you order, and they come along to template over the frame, it is well worth thinking about a centre window that either rolls up or down for better forward visibility whilst underway, and also stowage pockets sewn inside the spray hood for phones, water bottles , hand held radio, snacks etc, they are very handy and don’t add much to the cost.

CB

[rxc]

I am having a new bimini, a new dodger (sprayhood?), and new transition piece between the dodger and the bimini made by Cover Loft in Annapolis. Also new side curtains all around the cockpit (the enclosure). Sunbrella fabric, Makralon hard plastic for the dodger windows, and Strataglass for the side curtains that will roll up. Two overhead windows in the bimini and the transition piece. I am also having them re-build new cockpit cushions, but that is separate from the enclosure work.

They are going to build what is called a "California" dodger, which allows more clear panels to be zipped in/out. We have always been able to open or shut the central window - that is very important, especially on foggy mornings in the dark. We were originally going to use Stratglass for the center window, but saw a boat in a marina with a hard Makralon window that just flipped up inside the dodger, and we now think that would be a better way to go.

There is some mention in the quote of possibly adding additional SS struts, to replace the webbing from the old bimini. I won't be there to make that determination, so we will see how it goes. The old bimini was slightly higher than the dodger, and I think the new one will be higher, too.

I even had a brainstorm about re-using the old canvas. We have a serious "bird problem" here in Florida, and they can leave a lot of stuff on the canvas as they perch up on top of the mast or in the rigging. I think I can rig the old canvas to just sit on top of the new, with a few lines to hold it in place to catch the droppings. Will take it off before leaving the dock, but since our dock is only about 30 feet from the house, it should be very convenient. For those times when I don't want to take down all of the canvas and leave the cockpit totally unprotected. It should be easy to hose off on the dock.

Not a cheap project, but after 16 years the old canvas doesn't owe me anything.

[mickmeck]

Thanks for the info. That is pretty much what I am looking for. When I said side shades I was referring to the sun/wind screens that zip in. Are you getting those as well? Of course that is something that can be added at any time. Are you going with Makrolon for your center window on the sprayhood (dodger)? 

I also can't complain as I believe the current canvas to be the original - 20 years old.