Cockpit and Companionway Canvas — Ben Main Jr

Reproduced from Flicka Friends Vol. 5, # 3

From Flicka Friends Vol. 5, # 3

When approaching Richard Shepherd's Flicka, one of the first things you notice is the dodger, bimini and side/aft curtain enclosure. It completely surrounds the cockpit of s/v BEN MAIN, JR., adding another room to the Flicka.

DODGER

The first piece of the system is the dodger, which extends from mid-point of the hatch cover back past the companionway and to the winches located along the coamings.

There are five windows in the dodger, allowing good visibility. The various sheets and control lines are fed through the base of the dodger to cleats and camlocks located on the cabin roof. The center of the dodger can be opened to allow ventilation.

Richard had one suggestion about the purchase of a dodger. Leaving the cockpit and going forward requires passing the corner at the aft edge of the bimini. He felt that this was the most dangerous aspect of the trip to the bow. He recommended the addition of stainless steel handles along the aft edge and side supports of the dodger.

BIMINI

The second piece of this enclosure connects to the dodger's after edge with a zipper and a flap eliminates water flow. There are three rectangular windows on the bimini, allowing sail trim to be checked without opening a side curtain. The aft end of the bimini is located over the stern rail. since this is a gaff rig, there are no complications with the aft rigging stay since the running backstays are placed just forward of the coamings. For marconi rigged Flickas, the aft stay will present a problem for the aft bimini cross-bar.

SIDE CURTAINS

The port and starboard side of the Flicka are enclosed using two large curtains with large areas of clear vinyl. There are snaps along the edge which allow closing the curtain without using the zippers. Another set of snaps allow you to fold the curtain aft to leave the door open.

AFT CURTAINS

The back of BEN MAIN, JR. is enclosed using two curtains which are divided along the centerline of the boat. Again, there are large vinyl windows allow for good vision and are contoured along the shape of the bimini. There is an open area along the base of both curtains, allowing room for the tiller.

While serveral windows have been replaced, the enclosure is still in service. It was built about ten years ago by Bill Buchbinder. Contact him at: Blue Water Sail & Canvas
10531 East Carter Road
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-941-5224

The wooden mast, gaff, and boom rest in the lazy jacks and clear the top of the bimini. The sails are already stored for the end of the season and the boat is being readied for indoor winter storage.

The side curtains provide a door into the cockpit and can be snapped back to leave the door open.

Since the gaff rig boom extends passed the stern of the Flicka, the traveler isn't a problem.

Companionway Canvas

A canvas "hatchboard" system allows fresh air to circulate aboard s/v BEN MAIN Jr. Note the canvas sheet bags.

Built from the same sunbrella material as the enclosure and sheet pockets, this great little item allows closing the companionway without using the hatchboards.

The base of the curtain is weighted with a one-half inch stainless steel rod. Construction is sunbrella with a wood cross piece at the top that fits like a typical hatchboard. The fabric is cut to match the outline of the companionway. There is a vinyl window sewn into the fabric, allowing light to enter and a view of the cockpit.