Sailing in Brittany, the North Sea or along the Irish coast doesn’t expose a boat to the same constraints as cruising in the Cyclades or on the Côte d’Azur.
And yet, many owners equip their boats haphazardly, without taking into account the weather conditions in their cruising area, and realize it too late, when the canvas has worn prematurely, the cockpit is soaked or days spent at anchor are uncomfortable.
Protecting your boat properly means choosing the right equipment
for the right conditions.
For nearly 50 years, NVequipment has been designing and manufacturing covers for all types of boats and sailing, from the Vendée coast to the Nordic seas, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Northern Europe : 4 essential pieces of equipment for sailing in all weathers.
In the Channel, the North Sea, Brittany, the North Atlantic, Ireland and Scandinavia, the issues are well known: frequent rain, repeated spray, persistent humidity, wind and cool temperatures. The goal is to keep dry, protect the cockpit and living areas, and extend the sailing season despite the capricious weather.
1. The rear enclosure, a flagship product for cold waters
This is the reference equipment for sailboats in northern climes. NVequipment’s Northern European-style rear enclosure has been specifically designed to cope with the most demanding weather conditions: cold, damp, rain and strong winds.
It completely encloses the cockpit, converting it into a truly sheltered living space. When conditions are better, it is modular and can be partially opened depending on the weather.
NVequipment ambassadors Valérie and François, who experienced year-round living on their sailboat with long stays in Scandinavia, couldn’t do without this equipment, as it literally provides additional living space on board.
For sailboats under 35 feet, NVequipement also offers a standard sailboat rear enclosure, fitted to your model of boat and suitable for small and medium-sized units.
2. The sprayhood and companionway sprayhood, protection against water ingress.
On a sailboat, the sprayhood is often the first piece of equipment to be installed for comfortable sailing in stormy weather. It protects access to the boat’s interior, acts as a wind breaker, limits water ingress and safeguards movement around the cockpit.
Sprayhoods : the most complete, customised solution for cruising yachts.
Hood with or without arch : for boats with or without a stern arch.
Cruising hood : lightweight, high-performance hood for demanding sailors.
ACCESS by NV companionway hood : universal, ready-to-install solution, compatible with a wide range of models.
3. Biminitop Side Covers, modularity in all weathers.
Side covers on a biminitop close or leave the cockpit partially open depending on conditions. They can be dismantled and rolled up quickly, providing invaluable flexibility when sailing in changing weather conditions.
For motorboats, NVequipment also offers side covers for an existing sprayhood or cockpit enclosure.
To push protection even further, the full sprayhood can be used to completely enclose a motorboat cockpit; a highly effective solution for extending the season or sailing in cold weather.
4. Winter and mooring covers, to protect the boat between outings.
In Northern Europe, boats often spend several months in port or ashore. Without protection, they take on salt, humidity, rain and dirt season after season, and it shows. NVequipment offers a complete range of custom-made covers to protect all exposed equipment:
• Front/rear daybed cover
• Rear bench cover
• Console Cover
• Full or 3/4 mooring cover, for RIBs
• Steering wheel protection and winch cover, for sailboats
Mediterranean : 5 essential pieces of equipment to make the most the sun without suffering.
In the Mediterranean, the challenges are different: strong sunlight, intense UV rays, heat on board, accelerated ageing of materials. An unprotected cockpit can become unbearable from the first rays of sun in the morning. The challenge: create shade efficiently, without adding weight to the boat or detracting from its style.
1. The Biminitop, a must for sunny cruises:
The Biminitop is the number one choice for comfortable sailing under the Mediterranean sun. It covers the cockpit or helm position, providing essential shade for day trips, cruising or anchoring.
In the Mediterranean, it’s not considered an accessory, but navigation equipment.
Nvequipment offers several versions depending on your type of boat:
• Sailboat biminitop: custom-made to fit the cockpit of your sailboat
• Biminitop with or without arch: for sailboats with or without stern arch
• Stainless steel motorboat biminitop: robust and elegant, with stainless steel frame
• Fly Biminitop: specifically designed for fly-bridge motorboats
• Helm / Handrail biminitop: targeted protection for the helm station
2. Sun Canopies, ideal shade at anchor:
A sun canopy is an ideal solution for motorboats looking to create shade over the entire cockpit, especially during lunch breaks, anchorages or family stopovers.
Practical and easy to handle, it deploys and folds quickly, providing protection from both the sun and the rain.
For sailboats, NVequipment offers a universal ACCESS by NV sunshade, a ready-to-install solution compatible with many models if you want to fit out your boat quickly.
The cockpit shade is also a great alternative for sailboats at anchor: it offers extended shade and privacy in port.
3. Sun cap and sliding cap, comfort and visibility at the helm:
The sun cap creates targeted protection over the steering area, limiting glare and direct heat at the helm station. It enhances the skipper’s visual comfort and helps reduce fatigue during long summer sailings.
For motorboats with a wheelhouse, the sliding cover is a very practical option: it can be easily adjusted according to the direction of the sun, without having to move the whole cover.
4. Canopy, elegant sun protection at the front of the deck :
The canopy brings a touch of style and comfort on board, and is the ideal solution for sunbathing at the front of the deck. Its canvas has a mesh window for skipper visibility during sailing.
For boats with a hardtop, a sunshade on a hardtop effectively complements the existing structure.
5. Sunshades, the smart way to manage the sun over the long term:
NVequipment sunshades (available in pairs) add to the protection of a biminitop or sun canopy by limiting side glare.
Discreet and easy to install, they can be fitted to a wide range of models, adding to the level of protection according to the direction of the sun and the time of day.
Find the right protection for your boat and sailing programme
Whether you’re sailing in Brittany, the North Sea, the Atlantic or the Mediterranean, NVequipment has the right protection for your boat and your sailing conditions. Sprayhoods, North European rear enclosure, biminitop, sun canopies, full sprayhood, winter covers… each product meets a specific need, with the same high standards of quality, durability and precision fit.
Don’t choose blindly. NVequipment provides a search tool by boat model to quickly find the equipment available for your boat.