[Rhodes22-list] New Design BR

[Arthur H. Czerwonky]

Slim,

Like you say, different strokes for different folks.  If someone prefers to wrap the mast and carry the BR all the way forward, why not.  From my perspective the result doesn't provide any benefit (topping the cabin roof) and provides mobility problems and setup/takedown problems.  Further, I am still not comfortable with a top fabric that needs to be treated.  Make the top white sunbrella, spend precious few bucks more, and not have to worry about putting treatment on the fabric.  Anyone who doubts, watch how water behaves on Sunbrella.  That is why it is the industry standard.  I am really not sure the sailcloth is that inexpensive.

Another thought - Why do we have to have a cookie cutter product?  It is no more expensive to make it custom than to make it universal in my view.  If it needs to be $1K a copy, let's answer the challenge.

Art

-----Original Message-----
>From: Slim <salm at mn.rr.com>
>Sent: Feb 7, 2006 1:49 AM
>To: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] New Design BR
>
>OK, look, there's one thing that all agree upon--the pop top enclosure is
>too good to be true.  I could go on and on about how easy it is to set up
>and take down; doesn't require any frame; you can motor and/or sail with it
>up; provides standing head room under cover; has roll-up storm flaps/screen
>windows; easily stowable; is the first defense against the weather; already
>beautifully engineered and available for about a grand.  What could be
>better?
>
>Then comes the cockpit extension.  The cockpit room extension of the PTE.
>In my opinion, everyone who is interested in expanding the use of their boat
>should have the PTE first.  Period.  Then why should the boom room make the
>already-perfect PTE obsolete?  Why not integrate?
>
>My guess would be that Stan wants to offer an either/or type of option so
>you could either spend a grand on the PTE or spend a grand on the Boom
>Room--your choice--but you won't have to spend two grand to enclose the
>cockpit.  You could spend one grand for a stand-alone BR like mine.  But
>since nobody DOESN'T want the PTE, or already has one, why not go from
>there?  Sort of a step one and step two enclosure system.
>
>The two inherent problems with my boom room are the issue with the shrouds
>and access to the bow.  Stan seems to be sticking to that design.   Art's
>design lacks those flaws.  So does Roger's.  Let's put the best feature of
>each of them together and get rid of the problems.
>
>It wouldn't take more than a couple zippers and some velcro to integrate a
>boom tent to the PTE and make it splendid.  OK, so you have to spend two
>grand for the whole thing.  Anybody complaining?  In theory, I wouldn't
>hesitate to sell my stand-alone BR for what I've got in it ($500) and turn
>around and spend a G on something else that's new and perfect.  Something
>that can be set up by two drunk chicks in the dark!
>
>Slim
>
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