Bow slider - water intrusion eliminated ?

[bgreene]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Naaa...saw them already MJ... I was talking more in the range of some close up pics of the cover and of the attachment system, the gasket(s). How it's made, etc. The engineering part of it.

Sam at Dynamic Upholstery kept the layout and can make more of these easily. He build it heavy duty to my spec's - made to last a very long time.
Then all you guys do is lay it out on the bow, screw the bottom snaps in and snap the cover on.
As I mentioned, the rear section of the slider cover fits under the center windshield, so when the windshield then gets closed, it forms a waterproof seal in that area.
The windshield still closes easily as normal.

We also re engineered it slightly, so it's 2nd edition. We moved the cover snaps closer to the rubber flange to increase the flange pressure against the boat, and therefore provide greater water barrier force. It's therefore essentially a continuous, water resistant barrier along both sides, the front, and under the front windshield. The only area where I see any potential for water instrusion is at two very small sections, left and right of the center windshield where the cover comes back out from inside the windshield to the bow. That might account for maybe 1% of the coverage ? From what we see though, if water got in there, it's lined up with the channel that moves water down onto the deck floor, not back inside the cuddy.

It's a very well constructed piece. The snaps are strong but easy to do, and it really seems to have worked out as the easy solution.
At this point I'd say it will reduce water intrusion by high 90's %.... which was the goal, near 100%. Will know for sure after caught in heavy rain, heavy spray etc at sea.
As I mentioned in earlier post, washed the boat as normal and left out once in light rain - cuddy dry, bone dry.

I'll take some more pics - closer up but it won't be for a few weeks based on work, travel, incoming storm Sandy.

I keep the entire boat covered with a tarp, held to the trailer with bungee cords.
This V21 really gets babied - never wet unless in the water or being washed but hey - this is my V21 - there are many V21's like it but none exactly the same !
Assume you've all seen full metal jacket - quote close enough.....