Dodger + Bimini Design Options

catsailor · Oct 2, 2009

Form should follow function.

Ducati said:
I don't mind the look of a dodger however a big honking bimini will take the sleek look away from our boat. There is however the issue of avoiding the dangerous UVs so I guess I will have to comply with my partner.

Question. Any way to make them look sleeker? I'm just trying to keep our boat from looking like a floating trailer. Also, the traveler is located mid cockpit just in front of the wheel so that adds some complication to the engineering too.

Any photos / images would be appreciated.

Thanks

I've seen pleanty of sleek-looking, slow boats.

The questions is, will a doger increase the number of days, and will it increase the enjoyment of those days? If it means you can enjoy winter sailing and summer sailing even more, yes, it works. If it is in the way, no, it doesn't.

In the end things that work well grow on you, like a good mariage.

David in Sandusky · Oct 2, 2009

Why a dodger?

IMHO, a well made bimini will support a hat and sunscreen to protect you from the UV.

But I see a dodger as more like a windshield - protection from the wind, rain, and cold. And every dodger design I have sailed with (we have chartered about 8 boats with them) makes it much harder to go forward on the boat, either to set sails or ground tackle, or just to hang out on the bow, or cabin roof. They also make it hard to look up and see the main sail and windex and limit visibility forward..

These costs may be worth it if the dodger extends your sailing season by a month or two. But on Lake Erie, we seldom sail in conditions where we would use a dodger.

Our bimini is flat - we sail without sides to enclose the cockpit. So its visual impact is less if that concerns you.

Patrick17430 · Oct 2, 2009

Are you saying my boat looks like a trailer ? It's a boat not a BMW

Alan · Oct 2, 2009

Some folks get a little ridiculous when it comes to sailing. Having a floating condo is not what sailing is all about, at least for me. My preference would be for a good sun block and a brimmed hat. You can of course add a dodger for foul weather but some folks like to build a canvas cocoon around themselves....not for me, but everyone to his own.

higgs · Oct 2, 2009

Ducati
Use brokerage photos on the web to get ideas for boats that are similar to your boat's lines.

What type of boat do you have?

kloudie1 · Oct 2, 2009

Dodger/ Bimini

Having some small amount of education in the art that is aerodynamics, some bimini designs with windshields offend my eye.. Not judging anyone's sensibilities, just commenting.. It amazes me that folks will spend dollars on sail adjustment doodaahs and folding/feathering propellers and then purposefully install a barn door perpendicular to the primary airflow..I’ll have to admit that the barn door was nice to have last fall on my buddy’s boat when it was snowing out !! Yes, there are sleek boats that are slow, but think of how much slower they’d be if they weren’t sleek !!

A bimini really is a necessity here on the Gulf .. mine is a small surry top which has no sides .. I have been considering a small custom dodger so that the companionway can be open in the rain .. to keep the cabin from becoming a sauna in the summer showers. Haven’t found a good way to install it without hindering access, as David says..
I have always liked the look of blister top Cherubini 33’s instead of the trunk topped ones .. Same for the old Hunter 25’s .. and of course the 31, 34, and 40’s of the mid 80’s. I can picture the happy little air molecules running over those cabin tops instead of smacking into a blunt wall !!

Is the drag difference measurable?? Probably only in a lab !

Ron20324 · Oct 2, 2009

Dan at the Annapolis Sailrite store touts a nice idea for a dodger. Make the dodger top like a bimini, and place appropriate zippers on the front and side edges. Make solid cloth or window panels as meet your needs and put them in place only when actually needed. The panels stow under the berth mattresses. The plastic window panels last alot longer since they are not too often expeose to UV. I have been using only the top for several months now, and it works so nicely that I've kind of drug my heals on making the side panels.

Dave Groshong · Oct 2, 2009

What kind of boat? We build dozens of custom biminis every year for about half the price you might pay to have someone down to your boat. The mid cockpit mainsheet/traveler is as far as you will go forward, with a single bimini anyway.

Our custom worksheet is brief and very straightforward. Give me a call or e-mail if you'd like some pictures of some of the recent biminis we've built.

Dave Groshong
SailboatOwners.com
Toll Free 877-932-7245 X116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific
dave@sailboatowners.com

Hermit Scott · Oct 2, 2009

We wouldn't take our boat out here in Texas with out a bimini. It would be miserable.

Nereussailor · Oct 2, 2009

Bimini

In Florida it's the same,no bimini, no sailing. Especially in the summer. Winter isn't so bad. We could only take about 5-6 hours on the boat and we'd be wiped out. Maybe up north where the sun isn't as intense it would be ok for sunscreen and a hat, but down here the sun is brutal.

catsailor · Oct 2, 2009

Good points, but some solutions exist...

David in Sandusky said:
IMHO, a well made bimini will support a hat and sunscreen to protect you from the UV.

But I see a dodger as more like a windshield - protection from the wind, rain, and cold. And every dodger design I have sailed with (we have chartered about 8 boats with them) makes it much harder to go forward on the boat, either to set sails or ground tackle, or just to hang out on the bow, or cabin roof. They also make it hard to look up and see the main sail and windex and limit visibility forward..

These costs may be worth it if the dodger extends your sailing season by a month or two. But on Lake Erie, we seldom sail in conditions where we would use a dodger.

Our bimini is flat - we sail without sides to enclose the cockpit. So its visual impact is less if that concerns you.

You'll need windows in the roof, with removable canvas covers.

The windshield should roll down and away. Make sure the design is easy to use. 90% of the time it will stay there.

We sail 12 months, and it is below freezing for a few of those. My last boat was wide open and it made some of those days pretty tough. Now, with the cabin heater on for an occasional warm-up, there is really no day too cold.

In the summer it makes the cockpit much cooler, beats any sunscreen, and makes rainy days almost pleasant - they are cooler and I am not in foulies.

If spead w everything, we would drive cars and forget this sailing nonsense.

SeaRanch · Oct 5, 2009

I Love my "floating condo" with dodger and large bimini!
Bill

RichH · Oct 5, 2009

Consider a dodger with most of the panels 'removable', the 'connection' (contraption) between the dodger top and bimini also removable. All add cost to the basic bimini/dodger set; but. well worthwhile if you want 'versatility'.

To me the best dodger is one that has the lower sections as a (permanent & hard) 'windscreen' and all the rest (sides, top, connector contraption, etc.) totally removable, the 'windscreen' section able to withstand and shed 'green water'. The newer "Bendytoes" have a fairly nice versatile dodger system (although not a 'windscreen') that allows most of the panels to be easily removable.
If you are planning any long distance sailing, Id strongly recommend that you choose your dodger/bimini ... so that its fast and easy to remove it totally for when sailing in 'full gale or storm' conditions.

When sailing Im always very wary of any boat with a "granny enclosure" coming at me ... in my minds eyes they cant see their sails (probablly dont know/care what the sails actual are for), etc. etc. etc. .... and I NEVER EVER anchor near one because of the windage such enclosures have; as, if any boat breaks its anchor loose during a 'blow' you can almost bet the farm its going to be one that has a 'granny enclosure'.

larryw · Oct 7, 2009

My Bene is about as sleek as they get, and I really like the large dodger and bimini it has.

Harry · Dec 27, 2009

Where can I find types of biminis/dodgers to make? Maybe measurements etc... I am sailing from MD. to Fl. leaving late so I am looking for something to make it a little warmer on cold days... Any advice dimensions any info would be helpful. I have a H37cutter...

zeehag · Dec 27, 2009

anywhere you go sailing in sun , there needs to be a shelter over head----or is a blistering not fun experience....day sailingf is crazy with a dodger and bimini---but whatever floats your boat---there are ways to create a dodger/bimini that look reallly nice----there is also functionality---like solar panels on the bimini frames-with or without canvas as well---works well and serves dual purpose...

Capt. Kermie · Dec 27, 2009

I haven't got the dodger yet but hope to, but I do have a bimini I use while at the dock or anchor, seldom while under way. Living in the northern climes the bimini is not so essential while underway but once settled for the evening it is essential. The sun sets slowly up here and hangs at the horizon for long periods so you need side panels and a back panel for when the sun sits low in the sky. It only looks awky when you are using it, once underway you take it down and your boat looks sleek again, you hardly notice it folded bown across the stern. Once you have one you will never be without one again. Just get a simple one and not the full enclosure.

NotCook · Dec 28, 2009

Dave Groshong said:
Our custom worksheet is brief and very straightforward. Give me a call or e-mail if you'd like some pictures of some of the recent biminis we've built.

Dave, I will be emailing you about this custom worksheet. We're looking for a bimini...

Ed Schenck · Dec 28, 2009

How did this old thread get resurrected? Funny how these things happen.

Harry, my H37C still has the original 1979 dodger. It is the short variety because my mainsheet is on the bridgedeck(where I want it by the way). It was made by Island Nautical( http://www.islandnauticalcanvas.com/ ). They have the exact patterns for both versions of dodgers and for the bimini.

The custom biminis here on SBO are a good buy also. They no longer show a premeasured for the H37C but you could go with a custom coaming mounted. No dodgers on the SBO store however.

I made my bimini from a Sailrite kit. I chose aluminum against all advice. Eight years later it looks better than the stainless rails. I chose a kit because I wanted to keep my boom height the same while still getting a large amount of cover. It goes behind the rails and forward to the mainsheet. To do this required having the front bow lower than the middle and aft bows. Best feature is easy fold up when we don't need the shade. I really dislike being enclosed. I sail to commune with nature, not be isolated from it. But the Atlantic requires a solid dodger.

Dodger + Bimini Design Options

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