how to use the canopy?

[oceandancer]

Hi Mistril,

It sounds like your frame may be on the small side. Have you got a picture?


Mick

[Sula]

May 31, 2017 11:22:12 GMT mistril said:

A quick update on the canopy situation! I folded it carefully as per advice and it only works when I remove it from the frame. . . .  The frame tubes still foul the doors, though. I pushed the frames up tight against the wheelhouse woodwork and left the doors so they can open and shut. Not ideal but without removing the frame, I can't see any way of making it work!

Charles

Charles, I wonder if you have either a non standard frame, or the pivot for the frame is in a non-standard location.

I quickly measured my frame today (I'm reasonably confident it is standard), in case that is any help to you. (I also took some photos, but due to technical gremlins I won't be able to post these for a few days.)

- From the pivoting end of the frame to the corner with the horizontal bar (or where the corner would be if the corners weren't rounded!) is about 90cm.

- The horizontal part of the frame is arched (i.e it bows upwards in the middle), and from the pivoting end of the frame to the apex of the arch is about 140cm.

- On my boat, when the bare frame is pushed forwards the underside of the horizontal part of the frame is slightly higher than the top of the back of the wheelhouse.  I did measure it, but got distracted before I wrote down the measurements.  From memory, at both sides the centreline of the horizontal tube is about 4cm above the back of the wheelhouse roof, and in the centre it is about 6cm above and forward of the back of the wheelhouse roof

- The frame pivot point is on the cockpit coaming approximately 30cm from the centre of the winch.

Hope that's of some help.

John 

[mistril]

John,

Thanks for your thoughts and measurements. I have taken a picture but I haven't worked out the technique for uploading an image. However, my frame clearly doesn't match your description and measurements. When I roll up the canvas out of the way, the bare frame then rests on the top of the closed doors, although only at the corners. The solution is to pivot the frame tubes away from the doors, open the doors, put the frames back against the cabin wall, and then let the doors rest against the tubes - that way the doors can still be closed against the weather or pirates or other undesirables. Such fun.

Charles

[oceandancer]

Hi Mistril,

To upload pictures:

Post a quick reply with text for,  but without,  the picture. When it comes up select Edit and then Add attachment. You can then add a maximum of 3 pictures of 1mb or below. When you have uploaded the picture be sure to correctly position the cursor before you press "insert"

[mistril]

Ok let's try this picture! It should show the position of the frame relative to the rear wheelhouse wall

[Charles]

I think from this picture that your frame is non-standard. On ours the sides and top are pretty much straight and the corners are approaching right angles. That allows the doors to pass through the frame - just - even when the canopy is rolled up and secured. Your frame looks more smoothly curved than that. If this is the case I think you will have to work out a different technique.
The stainless steel grab rail above the doorway is also something that we don't have and that may contribute to the problem. (Looks a good idea though.)
Charles

[Sula]

I agree that your frame looks non-standard (at least assuming my frame is standard!).  It looks like your frame's 'corners' are more gently curved, and the 'horizontal' section is less arched than mine.

From the picture it looks like the doors will foul the frame when they are almost fully back.  On my boat the doors only (normally) open 90 degrees, and can't be folded fully back against the bulkhead anyway.

By the way, in case you or anyone else is looking for a replacement frame, I'm fairly sure that I have seen them on the website of Schultz (the suppliers of the original canopies and sails for LMs), available in both aluminium and stainless steel.  I can't find the relevant page again now, though, but they seem quite good at answering email queries (and speak good English).  Schultz (and Danish VAT) aren't cheap though, and it might cost less to get one made in the UK if you can get the correct dimensions or loan of a frame to be copied.   


 

[oceandancer]

Hi Sula,
I'm on the boat tomorrow and I will try to take a picture of my naked frame (over 18s only!) with some dimensions.......

OK here are two pics and a drawing showing the dimensions as far as I can determine.