Flybridge Enclosure for a 288?-gctid817291

[Guest]

I have a 288 with just a bimini top and am toying with having a full enclosure for the flybridge area made (like the picture attached). Wonder what the advantage and/or disadvantages of having the enclosure vs. just the Bimini top are from those of you who have them?

On a side note- Is there a way to get notified via email when someone replies to this thread? I have not found a way to do that and often miss replies from older threads I've started.

Thanks


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[njosephson]

My 2858 didn't come with a bimini so that was one of the first things I bought, I included the full enclosure and I've been really happy with it. I use it a lot with the sides and back removed and its nice to reduce the wind in your face for longer runs, it also makes people that aren't completely comfortable on boats feel safer on the bridge. In the spring fall it makes it very comfortable running from the bridge.

The one thing I wish I could change was that the guy that did it copied larger boats with a single pane in the front center and two "corner" panes but that puts a zipper seam directly forward of the steering wheel, right in my line of sight.

The other downside is that it really increases the windage of the boat with all that canvas up. I generally remove or roll up the sides before leaving our rather tight quarters marina slip.

[Guest]

Great feedback (especially the windage comment). Thanks

[aluxury1]

I have niether right now but I will only be purchasing thebimini for Leta's Top Shop. If the weather is that bad, I will be downstairs. I don't need a bigger kite, nor 3X the money. I want it to keep out of the sun more than the rain. My .02

[aluxury1]

Well, here's an update on my flybridge enclosure/bimini. I ended up with a 2 year old enclosure that was on one of the boats rescued from the fire at the Port of Everett 2 Saturdays ago. The Insurance Co. totaled it for gelcoat blistering on a partial side + transom. I got all the hardware and need to determine where the boat side snaps need to be installed. That I am sure will be a project. It has all the sides and the previous owner loved it, so I am now the proud owner of an enclosure. I will let you know how that goes. I also got a second set of screens. I could have had the stove but I can't figure out the trick to getting it loose. Mine is bad and I would have liked to get it out but didn't to ruin it.

[Guest]

Lucky. Let me know how it goes and what you think

[aluxury1]

I will. Looks like a days work locating and mounting all the hardware on my boat.

[Guest]

Got a quote for $4500 to add the fly bridge enclosure to my Bimini top. More expensive than I would have expected but this is also from a quality shop. Guess I'm now wondering about the added windage having the enclosure adds?

[aluxury1]

Gosh that's sounds like a chunk of change. You need to decide if you want the enclosure or a cover. I mainly for the $1000. would be out of the sun and some mist or rain. I did get a used enclosure that I have not installed yet, but I can't spending 20% or so of the boats value on canvas? But my .02 worth is how do you want to use the bridge?

[dd]

All comments above are accurate regarding advantages and windage. Be sure to get "U-panels" in the front, side and rear sections. This allows you to roll the panel up without have to unsnap anything. You MUST roll the panels up when maneuvering to avoid the extra windage effect. Another advantage to a full bridge enclosure is the extra dry space to store all the "stuff" we bring on board.

FYI an brand new full enclosure for 288/2858 with top and all sides with "U" 's and 40 weight glass in NJ is $5800 not including the bows. This is by an a shop that does OEM work for many boat companies including Sea Ray.

[Guest]

This shop does really good work and doesn't cut corners so glad to hear the price is in line. They woukd be using .30 mil strataglass with 2 u-panels on front, 2 on sides and one in rear and includes all the boat attachments installation etc