When the T-Top becomes cult: to every cockpit its cover
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The boat, for a part of the nautical tourism enthusiast public, is increasingly the alternative to the home, and for this reason many shipyards are responding to this need with “smart” solutions to increase on-board comfort. One of the spaces whose conception in recent years has changed, at least on a certain type of boat, is the cockpit, where the T-top, with all its variations, has appeared.
The cockpit used to be the place for maneuvering; today it is no longer just that, or at least it is only partially so. Just to make sure that this living area is always more comfortable and sheltered from the weather, partial cockpit coverage on sailboats is no longer taboo. Sail purists would have turned their noses up at this, perhaps preferring spray hoods (the typical “canopies”), with a more “Nordic” air; today, thanks in part to more rational aesthetic and functional solutions, the T-top phenomenon, i.e., covering by means of a rigid superstructure, and all its derivatives, is a reality.
What boats adopt similar cockpit choices? Let’s start with the premise that we are talking about boats from 48-50 feet and up, especially those intended for long-range cruising, with significant cockpit dimensions. Roofing, partial or full, is done with composite or carbon structures, usually extremely strong but also lightweight, which as we shall see have more than just the function of roofing.
The classic T-top solution is what we can see, for example, on theHanse 675, where the cockpit cover is almost complete and the superstructure is made of two central “support beams,” on which the mainsail sheet is also deferred. The roof of the Hanse T Top can be opened with a system similar to that of tents, being composed of a hard part and an adjustable soft part. Depending on the weather conditions, the type of sailing, and the time of day, you can then decide whether or not to keep the cockpit in the shade, as if it were the terrace cover of a seaside villa.
A similar solution was implemented on one of the available versions of X-Yachts’ X-6.5, one of the models of the modern “Pure X” generation. Here, in addition to the U-bracket on which the mainsail traveller works, there are two struts at the stern to support the back of the roof, and the roof has a system of movable panels to let the sun in when needed.
These two solutions could be described, if you will, as more “Mediterranean,” that is, more suitable for boats that travel for long periods of time and especially in hot weather, where coverage from shade can be important, if we want to spend several weeks in a row on the boat.
THE OCEANIC VARIANTS
Then there is another way regarding cockpit protections, namely those solutions that we might call “Oceanic” style. This is something different than the T-top, but design choices that often take their cues from the world of ocean racing Opens, such as the Imoca 60s or Class 40s. On these racing boats gradually a continuation of the deckhouse was developed that ended up covering the entire cockpit, with the aim of keeping skippers protected from the elements at all times. With due differences, this type of solution has also been adapted on some cruising boats.
The Surfari 48, a custom design by Ted Fountaine for the Fountaine Design Group, shows a solution for the cockpit that is inspired by this very philosophy. The deck saloon-style deckhouse extends almost to the extreme stern, with the option of an additional soft curtain that stretches out on sunnier days. Here even the helmsman is perpetually indoors, sheltered by the deckhouse, a choice designed for a boat that must be able to sail in all weather, we will see it with some variations on other models as well.
One of these is theAmel 60, which shows yet another variation on the theme. We could almost say that this boat has two tugs: the first low on the deck, which continues to the front of the mast. The second is the one above, which is the upper structure that protects the helmsman’s station and the maneuvering area. Being a center-cockpit boat, large, fully lit sunbathing areas extend aft, the coverage in this case is in fact on a smaller portion of the boat.
Similar choice, but with new differences, made by Garcia Yachts on its Exploration series, such as on the 52′. Here the distinction between what might be called the “two tugs” is even sharper.
On the classic aft deckhouse is a cockpit cover that perfectly resembles that of a Class 40 or Imoca 60. Here we have a classic case of solutions developed on ocean racing boats adapted to a cruising boat designed to travel the world.
The cockpit then we could say that, at least on a certain type of cruising boats, has new life. It can be a shaded terrace on the sea, or a protected shelter in bad weather and hard sailing, and covering it is no longer a taboo. Even the racers say so.
Mauro Giuffrè
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