Posted: June 01 2011 at 19:54 | IP Logged

Hi Cindy,

Although our Navigator is a 48, I've seen the 53 with a full enclosure surrounding the cockpit. A good canvas person can create an enclosure with panels that zip open and can be rolled up and secured for fishing. The remainder of the time it would make a nice little extra enclosed space.

As far as extending the flybridge, I'm not sure what you mean? Perhaps you could elaborate.

My best,

Captain Art

Navigator 48 "True North," Channel Islands Harbor, CA

Posted: June 14 2011 at 22:23 | IP Logged

Captain Art

I mean to "extend" the flybridge with a type of bimini cover at the back edge of the flybridge so the stern side of the enclosure can come straight down versus slanting down.   Thanks

Navi-53

We have owned this boat for a year now and it is also a 99.  My husband and I love the open layout and the good visability from both helm stations. We had previously owned a 50' navigator and when we sold it we looked at a lot of different boats inc Ocean Alexander, Symbol, McKinna, Sonship, Hampton, Offshore, Carver, to nome a few. We always came back to the amount of space on the Nav. as we intend to live aboard. No doubt other boats are better made however we felt like we got a lot for the money and won't be in debt!!!

The previous owner made some great modifications to our boat. He removed the flybridge windscreen and redid it with a forward slant instead of backwards, this adds a lot of space and allowed installation of a really nice ''tower" instead of a traditional bimini. He also moved the forward facing flybridge seats forward allowing the boom for the dinghy to lay flat next to the dinghy, He enclosed (with fiberglass)  the sides of the flybridge around the seats which keeps it drier and cleaner. My husband and I are in the process of replacing the helm seat now as it was not comfortable for a week long trip. We love our flybridge! Good luck with your boat. Unfortunately ours will never make it to New Zealand.  

Cindy

Posted: June 15 2011 at 12:17 | IP Logged

Hi Cindy,

I believe the best way to accomplish what you would like, would be to have a canvas top maker fabricate a stainless frame to extend out over the back end of the flybridge. I saw this done on my friends 60' Hatteras convertible. That way, you could have the canvas drop straight down and attached to the transom with snaps. By adding entry points (zippered openings) and eisenglass windows, it would create another room.

My best,

Captain Art   

Posted: August 08 2011 at 19:38 | IP Logged

Cindy, thanks for sharing the information and improvements that you and the previous owners have made.  We also have a 53 Navigator classic and love getting new ideas on how to improve it.  We are also either in need of re-uphulster(sp?) on our helm chair or replacing it completely, so if you could pass on any information on your replacement chair, that would be great.   We have many other questions/ideas but will save those for separate threads.

I do hope this forum can grow as I know there are many happy Navigator owners out there who would love to exchange information.

Anyway, thanks for the info and enjoy your season!

-Billy

Posted: August 19 2011 at 22:15 | IP Logged

Billy

We found our "new" used helm seat at a boat yard sale for $150. It's the type a lot of small fishing boats use where the seat back can be switched to allow you to face forward or if entertaining it can be flipped to let you face the other seats on the flybridge. It is higher than the previous helm seat and more comfortable for us. We did have to have our stainless guy modify the base of it to work on the deck of our boat. Now  we are trying to figure out how to have him add drink holders!