Hardtops on sundecks and wind

[apophyge]

I am considering a marine trader sundeck but have some concerns about the hardtop over the sundeck. I have sailed to Mexico twice on my Union 36 so have some knowledge of the wind I'll see on the open ocean. Windage on a sailboat is a lot less than on a trawler but the dodger was still a windcatcher and the bimini was lost more than once. Does anyone have experience with how much trouble the hardtop causes in wind approaching 20 knts?

[StuM]

I brought a Tradewinds 40 aft cabin with a not dis-similar configuration across the Coral Sea last year in 25-30+ knots on the beam. The hardtop was not a concern (but don't leave the vertical clears rigged).

[Steadman Uhlich]

I wondered this same question.

Apophyge, did you get the boat and did you make the trip yet (or have experience with the topic of hard top in 20kt winds)?

[apophyge]

We did not buy the boat. We ended up buying a 1979 42' CHB Europa with an even bigger canvas cover over the entire bridgedeck. And it caught the wind just fine. In fact we (I) had a small collision with a sailboat while trying to turn her around in a marina in 25knts of wind. We'll be in the delta for a couple of years but all that canvas and tubing is coming down before we go out to open ocean.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by apophyge

We did not buy the boat. We ended up buying a 1979 42' CHB Europa with an even bigger canvas cover over the entire bridgedeck. And it caught the wind just fine. In fact we (I) had a small collision with a sailboat while trying to turn her around in a marina in 25knts of wind. We'll be in the delta for a couple of years but all that canvas and tubing is coming down before we go out to open ocean.

Thanks for your reply.

Sincere question to clarify...
So, given the collision experience in 25kt then is your thought that a hard Bimini would be a problem for open ocean or gulf or Caribbean travel transits?

[apophyge]

I wouldn't pass up the boat because of the hardtop. I had a total of 6 hours experience with Lollygag and 6 hours with twin engines, I just need to get some experience with this boat. And I had the prop cleaned. Probably should have called a diver before I picked her up.