What should the clearance height be on a Dodger on a 37-ft sailboat? Should it be flat on the top?
Dodger top height
- Thread starter DanMaine
- Start date
It needs to fit under your boom and not obscure the operation of the companion way hatch, or rope clutches, or winches in the area. Other than those two criteria everything else is a design decision
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Another consideration is eye level. Ideally it should be below eye level when standing at the helm or above eye level so you can see through the window. At eye level the view will be blocked by the frame.
Both of the responses above. Plus, pay attention to the choice of window materials. There are choices of thickness and clarity. Clarity and minimal distortion are important.Edit - make sure Tenara (Gore Tex) thread is used. Polyester thread will degrade from UV and start to break within 5-7 years. Tenara is much more UV resistant.
Another edit - PS. Thicker windows will provide better clarity and lower distortion, but will not roll tightly. Your canvas maker will help you decide. I recommend you view them in person, rather than on the phone. There are trade offs. Do not buy a grade that isn’t completely clear. I have been on a boat that had thin windows which had an ”orange peel“ texture and you could not see clearly at night or when wet - they were useless.
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Also consider where you will be sailing. The further south you go the more important window material becomes because of UV exposure and length of season. If headed for the tropics, consider covers for the windows when not sailing. Blocks the UV and makes the boat cooler.
Edit - make sure Tenara (Gore Tex) thread is used. Polyester thread will degrade from UV and start to break within 5-7 years. Tenara is much more UV resistant.
Another edit - PS. Thicker windows will provide better clarity and lower distortion, but will not roll tightly. Your canvas maker will help you decide. I recommend you view them in person, rather than on the phone. There are trade offs. Do not buy a grade that isn’t completely clear. I have been on a boat that had thin windows which had an ”orange peel“ texture and you could not see clearly at night or when wet - they were useless.
Our dodger evolved over several seasons, as we extended our range and cruising calendar. We started with just the dodger, then added a bimini with a connecting panel to help keep us cool. It absolutely gets hot enough in Portland to make shade and windshield covers an important feature! All of our shelters have been built with additional zippers installed for future expansion. We have also added DIY zip-on side shades, which help tremendously with the hot early evening sun.
As mentioned, height of the boom will be the governing factor. My dodger is high enough to stand under and it was possible to have not only the dodger, but a full cover that extends to the boat's aft. The entire frame is Stainless, for maximum strength, w/ many handles added since the enclose picture was taken. Given this design one always looks through the dodger to see forward.
The cover has removable side panels that allow full enclosure in nasty weather. Use the most UV resistant window material and also keep the windows covered when not in use - UV eventually will damage anything see-through... The UV resistant Tenara (Gore Tex) thread is well worth the extra expense!!! Also, for best UV protection use black thread. From much experience sewing boat canvas I have learned that black ALWAYS FAR OUTLASTS white.
The cover has removable side panels that allow full enclosure in nasty weather. Use the most UV resistant window material and also keep the windows covered when not in use - UV eventually will damage anything see-through... The UV resistant Tenara (Gore Tex) thread is well worth the extra expense!!! Also, for best UV protection use black thread. From much experience sewing boat canvas I have learned that black ALWAYS FAR OUTLASTS white.
The sheet travels back through the boom and eventually, through a stopper to a which. Winches and stopper sets are on both sides of the cabin entry. Unfortunately no pictures of the stopper/winch set-ups. The attached picture kind of shows the main sheet,
Be sure to double check the dodger frame height with the main sheeted in tightly and backstay full-on. Also - same tensions - with a reef in it.
Not doing this final check out can cost you thousands of dollars when the dodger goes into the dumpster.
Not doing this final check out can cost you thousands of dollars when the dodger goes into the dumpster.