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Media Properties
Media ID | 20081116153444935 |
Date | Sunday, November 16 2008 @ 06:34 PM EST |
Comments | 2 |
Views | 4024 |
Uploaded By | Jeffrey Hare |


Very nice cover and frame. I didn't like that they used 10oz duck canvas at the time, these days it's a lighter stronger synthetic material I think. If I were doing it again, I would have gotten this cover made for mast up storage regardless of whether I was going to store mast down or not. It was a lot of work for me to modify it for Mast up storage given my sewing skills and how large the material is.
I've also owned a Fairclough cover. It's alot more work to install, isn't reinforced or designed nearly as well and doesn't keep the boat nearly as dry and snow free inside. Also TopShop uses curved 1" thick walled aluminum frame that are color coded and super easy to assemble. Much easier to carry/lift on and off the boat.
Finally, Fairclough refused a request to put a door at the aft of the boat. For some reason they want you boarding via ladder from the side which I never do, so our door has yet to be opened. The aft is all laced up and a PITA to get into in the winter. Plus even when all laced up, driving wind/rain/snow blows through the laces and gets snow/rain in the cockpit.
TopShop has designed the top rib to extend slightly past the aft end of the boat and curve back down to connect to the stern rail. And they use zippers, not lace up back here. The result is that you can easily slip under the cover and climb the boarding ladder without getting a face full of snow. The cockpit is perfectly dry and snow free with this design.
All this said, I haven't looked recently to compare the current cover/fabric/frame design at TopShop.
Jeffrey Hare