Full enclosure suggestions

[cstpt]

I've read the threads on full enclosures, and have enjoyed helpful discussions with several members of the forum. Coming from a sailboat where my bimini was a handheld umbrella, and as I am now at the quote/design stage, I'm looking for feedback from anyone who has lived with full enclosures, for any model, but especially R21EC. Some specific questions:

Is there anything you did or didn't do that you would or wouldn't do a second time?

Are there considerations regarding access to the boat?

Did you opt for solid or retractable frame and why? I've heard well-reasoned arguments for both, including stability, flexibility, trailering, cost and resale value. If yours is retractable, would you miss the ability to do that? In Toronto the warmth of the sun is often a benefit, especially during the outer months of the season, but I suppose the ability to block the wind and a greenhouse effect would counteract the loss of direct sunlight.

Do you generally leave the sides in place, rolling up or down as need be, or remove them entirely sometimes, and is that a cumbersome process?

 

[Pilotnavigator]

These little boats tend to rock a lot more that the sail boats we have all sailed. Waves, wakes etc, can make moving around the cockpit dangerous without strong supports and hand holds. look at all the rails ranger tug mounted along the cabin to assist in moving forward! You will use them every day. Same is needed for the cockpit. The cockpit rails come just below the knees, not the best location. The boat is never in danger as we have been out in 4 foot waves and been hit by massive square shaped wakes from very big cruisers that do not slow down. But we do enjoy having strategic placement of strong supports to move around while in motion, also not all marinas have docks at the correct level and having hand hold at the sides along with the factory one is an advanatage. Remember any guest will grab what every is handy if they are tossed around. Make sure it can support them. Sailboats were different, cockpits were deeper with sailing gear to hold on to like winches etc. So which ever way you go make sure to have grap bars placed around the cockpit that can withstand the weight of an adult. If it is only two that will be traveling stay in the cabin, have guest remain seated in the stern when in motion. Anyway enough from me,
Enjoy the boat she will serve you well!

 

[cstpt]

Thanks for your posts and private messages John; they've been very helpful. For the record, compared to a Tanzer 22 with shallow cockpit, low mounted lifelines and no side decks, the tug seems like a baby's crib!

To be fair, there was no consideration of anything other than daysailing the T22, though I'm well acquainted with oblivious big boat wakes. I don't know at this juncture whether that will change with the R21, but your comments are well taken.