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The South African · 27-02-2007, 11:52

Hi Jean
I bought a Leopard 40 in 2006 and am very impressed with its permanent hard top. You can walk on it and is protected from the sun always. It is slightly higher that the coachroof and gives standing headroom. It also has a slide open hatch should you want to stick your head out. The sliding hatch in the hard top also has a fixed window in to be able to see the mainsail if you have it closed. Maybe FP should consider something like that.
Pierre

Scott730 · 26-06-2007, 05:50

A couple of comments, the Bimini is a problem, I'm working with a local fabricator to come up with something. The only thing I can think of is to cut the Bimini just over the helm seat so when I'm sitting I will have shade but when standing at the helm I'll be in the open. Even this solution puts the bimini within inches of my head and the boom. I've spoken to JC and he hasn't done anything with his bimini yet. He did install A/C and a generator. I'm doing the same, we both chose to put the gen in the starboard engine room above the muffler. A/C will go under the dining seats. The generator has be small and we chose the 3.5 Kw NextGen. It fits like a glove and is the only one that we looked at that will fit the space and still let us get at the muffler and service the gen.
We had lots of things missing from our option list and a few things broken (Like the Refrigerator and 12volt charging outlet, must haves!) Still waiting to have those fixed.
As it relates to the escape hatches, I took the boat through 6 to 8 foot swells leaving port, the bow cut through them and washed the deck and helm a number of times, not a drop of water. However, the gaskets on the engine hatch did leak and I had salt spray on the engines. Keep an eye on this, it wasn't alot of water but enough to cause rust, I washed them down as soon as I noticed it.
Another big problem for us in the U.S. is the LP system is not compatible with the U.S. NPT standard. Right now I can't hook up our LP tanks to the stove, can't find a fitting to go from British Tread standard to NPT. I may have to have a gas company come to the boat and splice a new end on the tubing. Something I didn't expect to have to do on a new boat.

DtM · 26-06-2007, 17:38

Also, still working on the bimini issue.

Not sure that a bimini that covers all but the helm is practicable. Our issue with the factory bimini was the lack of headroom on the port side.

We will keep you updated.

DtM · 21-08-2007, 18:01

Kev,

In your bimini/arch design are you intending to raise the FP centre board above the line of the cabin top?

I would be very interested in your design if you would be willing to share it.

For our bimini our present intention is to use the FP centre board and raise it about a foot above the cabin top and make the bimini run that same foot above the cabin top but leave the helm open as the factory bimini does.

Nothing is set in stainless yet though so I would be very interested in your input.

daniel

kev&jo · 22-08-2007, 01:18

Hi Daniel,

I am more than willing to share my design and hopefully get some feedback on ideas and improvements, the old saying two heads are better than one and more than two will be a bonus!

Raising the centre board will be about the available room, which should be between 6 inch’s to a foot, I think, I don’t know yet but as I have said earlier, I will be measuring up in September.

I like you will be leaving the helm open.

I will be drawing the design up in AutoCAD, which should allow me to create a PDF and send you a copy via email. This should allow you to make any comments / suggestions and let me have them back.

I will be taking the drawing with me to the factory visit in early October to get some feedback from FP, which should be interesting.

Will keep you posted!

Kev

jean1146 · 10-10-2007, 10:31

jean1146 · 10-10-2007, 10:31

jean1146 · 10-10-2007, 10:32

IrieCat · 10-10-2007, 10:46

Looks great, looks like it covers the helm?
Lonnie

pguillemin · 10-10-2007, 10:47

JC

Bimini looks great

What is the clearance for the helms seat

jean1146 · 10-10-2007, 10:47

The bimini is on the boat. I even have rod holder underneath,and an LED red and white over the table.it is beautifull but kind expensive.I can be seated under the canopy or unzip the part ver the helm and be standing up. JC.