Cockpit umbrella?!?

[Austin David]

 

Does anyone know what this umbrella is?  I was chatting with a friend overseas and their photos have a few cars with umbrellas of varying description

 

[kayentaskier]

This JAL umbrella was a prototype product Doug Taylor of JAL was considering. He has not yet offered it for sale.

Jim

[JohnCh]

Westfield offered one through their parts department until recently when they went into administration.  Not sure of their source, but these photos will give a better idea of the design.  Personally, I'd rather a half hood.  Not as cutesy for car shows, or offering quite as much sun protection when parked, but better protection from rain, is still easy to stow, and can be used while under way. 

 

-John

 

[Croc]

11 hours ago, JohnCh said:

....and can be used while under way. 

 

 

Really?  I thought the umbrellas were always used when stationary as sun or rain protection.  Then you just fold it up and drive off with open top?

 

If you want something for driving then half hood or full hood is the way to go.  

[JohnCh]

2 hours ago, Croc said:

Really?  I thought the umbrellas were always used when stationary as sun or rain protection.  Then you just fold it up and drive off with open top?

 

Let me rewrite part of my original post without the sarcasm and in a more helpful tone:

 

I've heard from some who have used the umbrella that they prefer their half hood. It isn't much more effort to install and does a better job in the rain (no water dripping all over you or into the cockpit when you remove it to get in) and has the added benefit of being useful when driving.  Of course, it doesn't look as cool at a car show, but something to consider if your primary concern is protection.  

 

-John

[Austin David]

I still want one (an umbrella).  I have experimentally determined that the half-hood is about as good as "keep moving" in terms of rain protection.  The proper hood is significantly better.

 

Half-hood is more a bimini for sun coverage, but it makes buffeting worse and obviously requires the windshield.   The tonneau fits behind seats when not deployed (zero space occupied) and 100% protects the interior from sun while parked.

[JohnCh]

Interesting. That doesn't match my experience, but we may have different definitions of good enough.  I've used the half hood with side curtains in torrential thunderstorms and hail while touring with very good effect.  No, it's not as good as the full hood, but it's effective enough that it's all I've used since 2004. 

 

-John

[Austin David]

how torrential?  I think I was OK in SC and GA, but FL rain (whiteout) was clearly too much.  Half hood + both side curtains.  I got water down in the boot even, had to air it out.  Full hood in less-severe rain (but still a couple hours) and the boot stayed dry.

 

The heat was bad with the hood and the half-hood, as long as the curtains are in place.  So ... I *want* to love the half-hood, but for me it seems most useful as a suncover or light sprinkles, but proper biblical rain demands a full hood.

[JohnCh]

Colorado thunderstorm that was bad enough I had to pull off the freeway because I could no longer see the edges of my lane.  There have been other healthy rainstorms on tours, but that one was pretty epic.  The boot contents have always stayed dry, but the Westfield is configured differently in that area than the Caterham.  

 

-John

[Austin David]

ahhh, true.  I always liked the aft end of the westfield better.  As if someone thought about it, and not just "what's the least amount of aluminum I can put here".

[JohnCh]

The fact that the boot locks is a nice touch.  I plan to do something similar with my Caterham.  I'll cover that in the build thread once I get to that point. 

 

BTW one trick we learned on USA2005 is to pack your clothes in space saver bags.  They feature a one-way valve that allows you to roll out all the air and compress the clothing.  It keeps them wrinkle free, significantly reduces space requirements, and will keep them dry if you are driving a Caterham...in the rain...with a half hood   I also pack a very thin duffle bag in the boot and use it to transport the space saver bags into the hotel each night.

 

-John