Full Canopies - Hot or Not?
 

I have never been in a full canopy boat. I want to hear from people who have.

Is it ever a good idea for a recreation boat?

When its cold and big seas?

When its hot and smooth?

Do people tend to get sea sick?

Air conditioning, a necessity?

Can you see where you are going? At speed? in no-wake zones? getting to a dock or trailer?

How about the "4 place" set ups -- two front seats, two in back. Is that a hell ride in the back?

Seeing while off plane can be a challange.

You want 5 point harnesses so you don't bounce off the roof.

I wouldn't reccomend a full canopied as a pleasure boat.

1. Visibility can be poor.
2. Not very comfortable as far as what you can get from a pleasure boat.
3. Sea sickness and heat can be a problem.
4. YOU CAN DROWN very easily if the proper medical personell are not chasing you around.

Canopied boats are great for racing but seriously wouldn't want one for a pleasure boat. Just my .02

Ron P, I was wondering if helmets were basically REQUIRED with a canopy. Would you say yes?

Joker, while drowning is a risk in a canopy, that's if you flip or stuff, right? And isn't that when a canopy might save your life?

I like canopy boats. The back seat passengers can see fine. Visiblity behind you is absent without cameras and monitors. Seasick??? Never even had that come up with anyone in big water. They are hot and loud. It feels like an small airplane cockpit. The look great and the protection from the wind is worth it.

I raced open boats for several years and was ejected violently. I then got in a canopied boat and realized yes you are safer but drowning is on your mind. If you go upside down , especially a vee - you can drown. It's possible to get knocked unconsious. The modern canopied cats have a trap door between the sponsons so escaping is easier. You'll have to flood the cockpit on a v if you go over.

I'd reccomend a helmet and full time air too. We ran full out and weren't playing around. I guess pleasure boating would be less risk.

I am thinking of a V. They stay upside down, even with the engines so low and close to the keel? Wow! Bummer.

Me too.

Yea ask Ron P. There are many helicopters flying above when canopied boats are racing. I'd never run one hard without their presence. Also you need to take a dunker simulator test and see how you like being upside down and strapped in.

I am being tempted by the SVL and SV boats that are on the market. I'm in Los Angeles, so there really isn't much chance of organized racing, so not too many helicopters overhead...

Ron, those pictures are, well, thought provoking. Wow!

We run a canopied SV and have 4 seats, we have run it in local pokeruns with passengers in the back. The key is not to run like we do while racing, and its very unlikely you'll go over.
Also we are from LI NY and it gets chilly up here in Oct. and Nov. while testing for the worlds in Florida, and it is warm and toastie in the canopy. Always strap in and if its rough wear a helmet, head versus roll bar always has the same winner. I will get some arguement on this one, but I personally feel you are safer in a canopy then you are in an open cockpit. We have made some violent turns while racing and came out unscathed. I shudder when I see boats whizzing by at a buck and a half with girls or guys standing and having a good old time, not realizing it could all change in a split second. In agreement with my cohorts visibility is an issue but with practice you can over come it, depending on the traffic in your area. ( got to be on the lookout for waverunners in your blind spots trying to get a better look at your vessel). Another negative for the Mrs. is no sun bathing!
Hope I was helpful.
Louie

Personally , I love the canopy over open cockpit for racing, but dont think I would want it for everyday pleasure boating.

And yes...strap in and wear your helmet all the time, you will hit your head, eventually.

Funny you say that rigger ! Curty said you shuddered while you where in my seat for one of his joy rides.:eek:

Bye the way whear is the love ?

go with the open top

If you are going racing Canopy, Pleasure boating OPEN.
If you do go racing there are some different organizations, all have some type of safety training.

So the consensus is open boats are better for pleasure? How do you explain all the canopy boats being sold never intended for racing? Gold Digger that everyone was gushing over, not one negative word about the canopy. I will never own a 100+ mph boat without 1/4 canopies or full canopy again. High wind sucks.

How many people running pleasure canopied boats have taken the dunker test? Fast cats are definitely at risk to go over at 150+. The Phantoms and Extremes are super safe and are great boats. There was a guy here on Lake Lanier testing a SVL and the water patrol had 5 boats chasing him for over 30 minutes and he never knew they were after him. He wasn't running in a straight line either.

I have ridden in many canopied V bottom Outerlimits. The visibilty is fine, and they are all air conditioned, so comfort isn't an issue.

The outerlimits canopies are removable with about a half hours worth of effort, with the exception of the 40SV model, those are permanent. If you don't feel like removing the entire canopie, then the hatches fore and aft are also removable to let some air circulate throught he cockpit.

I agree with the 5 point harnes if you are going to run hard. Also OL offers oxygen systems built in if that is what you want.

Thats not what he told me, he said I was the handsomest driver he's ever ran with! And he actually felt so confident he stood up at 100 plus to look at the roostertail, lol. Thanks a lot for stepping up to the plate, are you in for Tuesday @ the Oar? We are set to meet at 6:30. Thanks again.
Louie

I have done the APBA dunker test. It was in a very tight F1 outboard style dunker. Five point and steering wheel come off, then you slip out upside down in water. As for a cat at 150mph I would much rather be in a canopy boat with belts then an open cockpit at that speed. You will have no chance in an open boat. Same reason race boats switched to full canopy. I will take the slight risk of drowning versus being torn to shreds getting tossed out a boat.

I couldn't have said it better:D

Just don't go over in less than 6' of water. You need to have clearance to open the hatch.

Thats for sure!

It got up to 120 degrees in the race boat once idling around in the mill. The F-16 canopie also distorts your vision

Sounds like you know your stuff and are educated. Maybe more people will follow.

:evilb:
Stick w/ your canopy on your mobile home , you'll get laid more and save a ton of $$$$$$$!:eek:

Here are three boats I'm investigating:

the Shogren yellow Fountain. This one seems like it has a higher seating position, so I would guess its got better visibility.

the 38 on fountainpowerboats.com -- last year's Mikosukkee SV.

the two Phantom SVs.

Any opinions on these boats?

Hmmmmmm all good boats. If you're about all out speed Fountain. Will at Phantom builds a great boat. I'd go w/ 6's and add big power later. The Phantom w/ 6's is a great boat. You'll be bitten by the bug and wind up racing! Good luck!

Thanks, Joker! In line with my thinking...