Winter is here again, that mean rain and winds. Last year we created a canvas top with velcro sewn into it that kept the back of the boat mostly dry, but did allow the wind to whip through.

This year I added port side and rear windows. For 2 reasons: 1) It lets more light in than a solid canvas (duh). 2) The port side is a wind block.

Specifically, I changed it this year to have a side wall because during storms the wind comes from the South. Our rear port side is exposed to the South, meaning the winds hit us directly. The walls stop the wind and any sideways rain from getting into the boat. So far it has worked perfectly.

This top is definitely not elegant in any way. It is essentially a huge tarp with a corner sewn into it. It is nowhere near the elegant canvas work on other boats around me, but it is significantly cheaper than having it professionally made. That said, if we live here again next winter I think we will spring for a professional canvas. It will enclose all 4 sides and the flybridge, which will dramatically increase our dry living space.