40.5 Dodgers

[USMC_Skipper]

Does anyone know where I can find someone to make a dodger for a Hunter 40.5? Anyone have a 40.5 dodger story to share? Anyone already have one on their boat? I would greatly appreciate any information. Thank you!

 

[Richard Stidger]

Try a Sailmaker or Canvas Man

At the risk of stating the obvious, your local canvas man should be able to measure and manufacture a custom dodger for your 40.5. My dealer in CT included one in the purchase price and the local canvas guy came out and measured the boat and talked to me about how I wanted it made. I wanted it high enough so that I did not have to stoop to look through it and I wanted to be sure that it had a full length hand-hold on the back of it. The other parameter was the location of the two side attachment points at the deck so that it did not cover the step area to leave the cockpit.The result was a very good design and useable dodger.You should be able to find a maker near you. Or try a sail loft and ask them to recommend someone.

 

[Mickey McHugh]

Dodger Story

We put one on our 40.5 for $1200, mainly because we live aboard and it makes getting in and out in the rain easy. We connected it to our bimini. There is a picture in the owners photo area. We like everything about it. Just last weekend we were out in Galveston Bay and were hit by two major T-storms with winds to +50, lightning and hail. The dodger let me continue to steer while protected from the driving rain and hail. One marble sized piece did mack me in the face. It hurt like HAIL! Hail can cause serious injury, you must protect yourself from getting hit.Jim Vincent on Toucan, a 40.5 is currently having a dodger made. Maybe he can share his experience. You can contact him through HOW. Good luck.

 

[Jim Vincent]

40.5 Dodger

Hey Skipper,I also have a 40.5 and i'm having new canvas done now. all i can say is, walk the marina's and study other dodgers, keep track of your "likes and dislikes". when you have all your "likes" together, call a couple of canvas shops, (yellow pages or the florida edition of the boaters directory) if you see someone with new canvas, ask them who did it, usually the shop will stitch their tag in the corner. one other thing, a true dodger will stand alone without support from your bimini, which means it will require a bit more framing, (translation?...money). otherwise, what you will have is a windshield. as for which is more popular ?... i see just as many of both, ...my boat, i'll have a windshield, my good friend Mickey (down the pier) and also the prior post has a true dodger on his 40.5 hunter. when mine's done next week, i'll post a photo. take care, Jim Vincent, Toucan

 

[Steve Dion]

Dodger story

USMC:We just had a dodger made for our H'31. A couple of things that we did were to have hand holds made. This make moving forward/aft and boarding much easier. We also had our windows made so they ZIP out. We then had sun screens made that zip in. We have found that the dodger makes the boat warmer. With the dodger in place and the plastic window in it will accumulate a lot of heat under the dodger. I would recommend that all of your windows are removable.If you would like to take a look at our dodger look at the HOW Photo Forum.Big investment but well worth it if you do it correctly.