Raise the Roof

[donderbalkie]

I'll start by saying that I am a layman when it comes to sailboats. Well, any boat, really.  I bought a boat 3 years ago and I started using it more and more recently due to Covid and being able to work from home.  I've actually sort of transitioned to living (more like camping) on the boat.  It's a 1977 O'Day 27, and I love the boat.  It's usually just me and a friend or two that weekend on her and do very casual, coastal sailing.  Underway she's a great boat.  When I am moored or docked, however, she's a little awkward when it comes to entertaining.  I'm 6'3", and when I'm prepping/cooking/mixing, the cabin just does not have headroom.  My friends are always squeezing by since we're hunched over.  It's really the only thing about the boat I'd change.  The Catalina 22 comes with a pop top.  Is that an option? That would be so great! With canvas or screen that could be fitted to it.  Really would make the boat amazing to host on.   What other options are there? I feel like it shouldn't be that difficult for a craftsman to figure out.  I haven't found anything like it online.  Only for boats that have them as a factory installed option.  A point in the right direction would be appreciated.

 

[sailman]

Adding a pop top is major surgery.  It probably would not even work on a midships galley.  Find a shorter cook?

 

[Bump-n-Grind]

dont do it. you'll just fuck up a perfectly good boat. enjoy it for what it has a little longer then move on to something that suits your needs better. 

 

[SpongeDeckSquareFoil]

I'm just under 6 feet. When I go from my Ranger 26, which has pygmy headroom, to a friend's O'day 27 the O'day feels like a cathedral. But at your height I can see where it might feel limiting.

Never heard of anyone adding a pop-top to an existing boat, but anything is possible if you have the checkbook. I would guess the market value of your O'day is not too much. And the cost to make a pop-top would cost well more than the boat is worth without adding any value. But it still sounds like a cool idea.

I would think most glasswork places wouldn't find this to be an insurmountable problem, but might be put off by liability. A pop-top is a lot of mass that can do some big damage if the user fucks up the raising/lowering process. So hardware choice is a big factor.

If you decide to go the DIY route you might be able to scrounge an existing top and hardware from a scrap Catalina 22 or 25 and tweak it to fit the O'day coach profile. Might reduce the cost a small bit.

And don't forget to Youtube.

 

[Cal20sailor]

Would a dodger help allowing you to keep the hatch wide open?  Don't know layout of your boat.

 

[sailman]

Consider installing a new hatch above the galley?

 

[nota]

maybe a lot cheaper to just sell the boat and buy one with the poptop designed from the start

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/cal-27   

is a common boat that size with a pop top

and about the same value as your boat

 

[SloopJonB]

The OP's idea has been the demise of many fine boats. If anyone needs proof I suggest they review the Mocking Craigslist and Uglyboats threads.

Even supposing it could be properly done, the cost plus the current value of the boat would far exceed the price of a more suitable boat.

Sell what you have and buy something more appropriate to your needs.

 

[Steam Flyer]

The OP's idea has been the demise of many fine boats. If anyone needs proof I suggest they review the Mocking Craigslist and Uglyboats threads.

Even supposing it could be properly done, the cost plus the current value of the boat would far exceed the price of a more suitable boat.

Sell what you have and buy something more appropriate to your needs.

^ This ^ for the win!

Right now, with the pandemic buying spree, it's kind of an unusual time in the boat market. Usually there are LOTS of boats of almost all kinds for sale, and the buyer is in command. Even so, the cult boats and the nicest one of each type would reliably sell for near-ask (assuming the ask price was not exorbitant). Now, the pickings on the market are kind of slim. Even so it's somewhat of a buyer's market, enough so that making expensive mods to mass-produced boat is folly (unless one acquired the boat cheaply to begin with, one enjoys boat surgery, and one's heirs are not likely to be vindictive about dealing with the end product.

Headroom and bunk size is tough, but there are some boats that are well known for giving more. Happy hunting!

FB- Doug

 

[sail69]

I am 6'4" and I have headroom limitations on a 40'.  At your height get used to it on sailboats, unless you buy a really big boat or a very ugly boat.   Your O"Day 27 pushes the absolute limits of headroom at its size.   

My brother had a pop-top Cal 27.  Even lived on it.   Forget about a pop-top.   BBQ outside more.  A