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Hanse 588 T-Top?

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mglonnro View Drop Down
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    Posted: 17 January 2019 at 17:06
Cheers,

Anyone with strong opinions for/against or experiences of the T-Tops?

Are they heavy? Do they affect sailing negatively in any noticeable way compared to canvas biminis? 

I see on the pictures (on Hanse's site) that without the T-Top the mainsheet position is much further forward. Any noticeable effect of this? 

What are greatest benefits of hardtops? Worth the cost?
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Black Diamond View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Black Diamond Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 January 2019 at 21:40
I went thru the factory when my 575 was being built and saw how the t-top was constructed.  

There is a HUGE amount of force being applied against the mainsheet attachment points on either a 588 or 575.   Think about the way the shrouds are attached to the hull amidships and that is the same model used for the t-top.  Its a glassed in steel attachment point that must handle these loads.   The t-top drops onto this attachment point and makes a structural connection to the hull.   Its going to be heavy.  People were not lifting these by hand in the factory.   Overhead cranes dropped them onto the boat.

One point I'd make is that you can always roll-up or take down a canvas bimini when a storm is coming.   You cannot reduce windage with the t-top.    Hanse's have a lot of windage as it is with their high freeboard.  A t-top adds to that.  The other side of this is that most people roll up their canvas because they don't want it to rip.  Not likely to happen with a t-top, although there is some roll-up canvas that could be damaged in a blow.

I'm not sure there would be much of a difference while sailing in 10-35kts of wind.  

 
Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI
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Yeoman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Yeoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 January 2019 at 21:50
I have sailed both with and without quite a lot now and they both have advantages.

The main sheet handles slightly better on the top and sheets closer which is nice too.

I haven’t noticed any particular increase in windage.

The hardtop works better as a sun cover than a normal Bimini and great to slide the canvas forward to see the sail.

One thing you can’t do is enjoy the full view of a totally folded back Bimini.

Hope that helps
Inspiration Marine Group LTD - UK Importer for Hanse Yachts. Helping owner’s to get the best from their boats.
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mglonnro View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mglonnro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 January 2019 at 06:21
Thumbs Up for your helpful comments!

The hardtop looks really cool (surprising since I usually adore flush decks without any superstructures) and I like the idea of extending the weather protected space somewhat more rigidly into the cockpit (instead of having a pilothouse). The sailing/windage and structural implications are interesting, though.

Luckily (unfortunately), I have some years to research the issue before being able to buy one Big smile. And who knows what will be available by then. 

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