Aft Curtain

[Jcloud]

I have a 2021 Freedom 235 with full set of curtains. I have the “aft drop curtain” and I’m thinking of buying the “aft curtain” ( the one that goes to the transom.
Question:
Is it worth $1409
Can you see out behind you with it on?
Pros?
Cons?
Thanks
Jcloud

 

[glacierbaze]

"Can you see out behind you with it on?"

Running, or just sitting in the marina? Either way, I think the answer is no, I don't recall ever seeing anyone running a boat with that canvas in place. I just made one for my 228, it is actually the back half of a full cover, which I have not completed the front half of.

 

[glacierbaze]

 

[Hookup1]

I built a cockpit shade that is like your picture but only really useful at the dock.

I also bought poles that allow the cockpit shade to be used as a fly shade. I haven't finished the mods to allow this to work. This will parallel the hardtop to the transom. You can run the boat and fish with up.

 

[DennisG01]

I've run (and owned) plenty of boats with a "slant back" curtain. I really enjoy having them (or a second bimini to make the whole thing "squared off") since it makes the more of (or the entire) cockpit usable in foul weather. Sure, you can absolutely see out of them... but not a with a window that is as small as what is pictured. That's just silly. Put a bigger window in it and all is good.

You should be able to get that made locally for less. After all, it's not a "tight fit" so the maker doesn't have to be quite as precise (less labor).

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I just bought a 2004 Grady White 228 Seafarer back in Maryland and included with the sale of the boat was an after curtain similar to what you pictured. The one that came with my boat was used but still in very good shape without any rips or tears in it and all of the snaps in good working order. It has the little channels on the underside of the hardtop and has a "groove" that is about the thickness of a pencil so that you can slide the top in underneath the hardtop. That being said, I don't think I'd want to try driving the boat, either on land or on the water, with the curtain in place. Even if you had all of your canvas up and blocking a lot of the wind, it would block quite a bit of your vision and if you didn't have the canvas up, I think it would pop off the snaps and fly around. I don't think you'd lose it as it'd still be attached to the hardtop and don't think it would come out of the channel but yeah, I don't think it would be a great idea. I'll use mine a lot since I leave my boat on a mooring buoy during the summertime and it'll be nice to keep some of the seagulls and other wildlife from jumping/flying into the boat, eating part of a fish and leaving the rest to sit there for days on end. The neighbor has either a 255 or 275 Freedom and has the back curtain as well and while it's not perfect, nor does it keep everything out of the boat, it does do a good job of keeping most things out. River otters will oftentimes jump up into the boats on buoys and enjoy snacking on a fish as well as the seagulls, as I mentioned above. I'll probably either buy a front section or make one of my own, for the front part of the boat where the cockpit area is to keep as much wildlife and dead fish carcasses out of the boat as possible.

 

[Fishtales]

Could contact the manufacturer and see if they would place a glass piece in the middle?
I wouldn't like it and believe there is a lot less space under it due to the angle.
I can see if being functional at the dock or mooring to keep the cockpit clean.
For the jing, I'd probably pass.

 

[glacierbaze]

Fishtales is correct about the lack of cockpit space, you can't step out from under the hard top without going to your hands and knees. I did it to cut down on all those live oak and holly leaves in the background from ending up in my boat. Hope to finish the front soon.