Hey all, I am in the process of doing some research on materials for a new dodger. I sail a 1989 Hunter 30G. The dodger that I have now is built with an older incarnation of reinforced vinyl. Over the years the vinyl has shrunk and cracked. What I do like about the vinyl is the fact that it is white with grey accents. My boat has a white hull and deck with grey non skid and the dodger blends in and looks like part of the boat. If I go with Sunbrella, the only color choice for me would be navy blue. I think with a boat this size, navy will make the dodger look too big. From what I understand, lighter colors of Sunbrella do not last as long and get dirty instantly. Stamoid appears to have the characteristics that I am looking for along with longevity. Anyone have personal experience to share? My second question is about polycarbonate semi rigid windows. Any experience? Good/bad? The link is to Ocean Clear. Their polycarbonate window material is sewable with diamond point needles, sells for $180/sheet (about the same as Strataglass) and their rep has told me that any fabricator that works with Strataglass will have no problems with thier material. I don't race, I leave my dodger up all the time and I really like the look of the semi rigid windows. Thanks in advance. Tim
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Glass color
The only suggestion I have is to check into the color of whatever glass material you select. I've sailed a boat with strataglass and thought I was back in the 60's. I was wearing polorized sunglasses and depending on which direction I looked I saw some awefully physcodelic(sp?) flashes of color. It bothered me enough I switched glasses. Some of the newer glass will do this, some won't. Good luck making your decision. Jerry Garcia
The only suggestion I have is to check into the color of whatever glass material you select. I've sailed a boat with strataglass and thought I was back in the 60's. I was wearing polorized sunglasses and depending on which direction I looked I saw some awefully physcodelic(sp?) flashes of color. It bothered me enough I switched glasses. Some of the newer glass will do this, some won't. Good luck making your decision. Jerry Garcia
Dodger glazing
One thing to consider: If you use polarized sunglasses, some materials may be more difficult to look through. When we got our new dodger a few years ago, when I first looked through the new glazing everything was orange tinted when I had my polarized sunglasses on. I eventually got used to it. Don't remember the name of the material used, I'll go look it up. You might want to ask the installer about that "feature."
One thing to consider: If you use polarized sunglasses, some materials may be more difficult to look through. When we got our new dodger a few years ago, when I first looked through the new glazing everything was orange tinted when I had my polarized sunglasses on. I eventually got used to it. Don't remember the name of the material used, I'll go look it up. You might want to ask the installer about that "feature."
Rainbow
......... I'm familiar with the "rainbow effect" and I'm not concerned about it. My motorcycle helmet face screen produces the same thing and I'm used to it. I'm more interested in hearing about long-term performance issues, durability, etc. Thanks, Tim
......... I'm familiar with the "rainbow effect" and I'm not concerned about it. My motorcycle helmet face screen produces the same thing and I'm used to it. I'm more interested in hearing about long-term performance issues, durability, etc. Thanks, Tim
Hey Stu......
........in looking at your avitar, it looks like you have a white dodger. What material is it constructed with? Tim
........in looking at your avitar, it looks like you have a white dodger. What material is it constructed with? Tim
Also consider STRATAGLASS
Semi rigid, optically (distortion free) clear vinyl yet flexible, quite expensive but very good material, needs a special cleaner (Imar). If Stratglass is installed correctly there will be no 'waves' in the material - and it will look EXACTLY like GLASS. Cost of the material is usually in the neighborhood of $175 for a ~4ft X 6ft. section - the canvas shop has to buy a whole 'section' and labor is 'extra'. The next cheaper is a vinyl called 'crystal clear', not as optically perfect as strataglass but somewhat cheaper. Strataglass is one of the best VALUES if you're looking for optically clear and semi rigid for dodger windows.
Semi rigid, optically (distortion free) clear vinyl yet flexible, quite expensive but very good material, needs a special cleaner (Imar). If Stratglass is installed correctly there will be no 'waves' in the material - and it will look EXACTLY like GLASS. Cost of the material is usually in the neighborhood of $175 for a ~4ft X 6ft. section - the canvas shop has to buy a whole 'section' and labor is 'extra'. The next cheaper is a vinyl called 'crystal clear', not as optically perfect as strataglass but somewhat cheaper. Strataglass is one of the best VALUES if you're looking for optically clear and semi rigid for dodger windows.
I am not familiar with Strataglass
RichH, I am not familiar with Strataglass. When you say it's semi rigid does that mean I can roll the center section and side windows up? Strataglass sounds like the best bet because I have very poor night vision now and anything that improves my visibility is worthwhile. Thanks and all the best, Robert Gainer
RichH, I am not familiar with Strataglass. When you say it's semi rigid does that mean I can roll the center section and side windows up? Strataglass sounds like the best bet because I have very poor night vision now and anything that improves my visibility is worthwhile. Thanks and all the best, Robert Gainer
Tim,
I had my bimini/full enclosure made out of (double thickness) stamoid. It is now going into it's 8th season. Material itself has held up well. It still does not leak. I have had to have the stitching redone and the panals replaced; but the stamoid itself looks to have a least a few more years of life in it.
I had my bimini/full enclosure made out of (double thickness) stamoid. It is now going into it's 8th season. Material itself has held up well. It still does not leak. I have had to have the stitching redone and the panals replaced; but the stamoid itself looks to have a least a few more years of life in it.
Hi Buck.....
When you say "double thickness" do you mean that they used two layers of material or the thickest grade of stamoid? Thanks, Tim
When you say "double thickness" do you mean that they used two layers of material or the thickest grade of stamoid? Thanks, Tim
STRATAGLASS
That's what I specified for my replacement dodger three years ago. Great product and worth the extra dollars. Not rigid, but stiffer than regular stuff. It's what high-end sport fishers use on their flybridge enclosures. The stuff is super UV resistant. Will probably outlast your dodger material if cared for properly. RD
That's what I specified for my replacement dodger three years ago. Great product and worth the extra dollars. Not rigid, but stiffer than regular stuff. It's what high-end sport fishers use on their flybridge enclosures. The stuff is super UV resistant. Will probably outlast your dodger material if cared for properly. RD
Tim,
Stamoid is vinly coated polyester fabric. It comes in Stamoid "Light" ( polyester fabric vinly coated on one side) and Stamoid "Top" (vinly coated on both sides). Bimini's (mine included) are best made from Stamoid "Top". It is far more durable than "Sunbrella". Google "Stamoid" ... you'll find out everything you need to know. I would suggest you talk to some "Top Shop" people. They use all of these products and are very knowledgable.
Stamoid is vinly coated polyester fabric. It comes in Stamoid "Light" ( polyester fabric vinly coated on one side) and Stamoid "Top" (vinly coated on both sides). Bimini's (mine included) are best made from Stamoid "Top". It is far more durable than "Sunbrella". Google "Stamoid" ... you'll find out everything you need to know. I would suggest you talk to some "Top Shop" people. They use all of these products and are very knowledgable.
Thanks Buck.....
.....I've done a fair amount of research and I'm thinking that Stamoid is the way to go for me. We have a couple of good shops in the area but it seems that they discourage anything but Sunbrella or Sunbrella Plus neither of which are good with white or lighter colors.
.....I've done a fair amount of research and I'm thinking that Stamoid is the way to go for me. We have a couple of good shops in the area but it seems that they discourage anything but Sunbrella or Sunbrella Plus neither of which are good with white or lighter colors.
By the way.........
........Buck, the fact that you have had yours restitched is a good argument for Tenara (goretex) thread. Expensive but a lot less than labor.
........Buck, the fact that you have had yours restitched is a good argument for Tenara (goretex) thread. Expensive but a lot less than labor.
Care is paramount
Care of any of these products is paramount. The folks that made my dodger recommended Lexan. There was no difference in price between vinyl & lexan. Lexan is NOT rigid, but cannot be rolled when stored. When we remove the windows, we store them under the vberth with terry cloth towels seperating the panels. Vinyl becomes wavey after a few years but is fairly durable. Stratglass looks to be a nice product, but should only be cleaned with a specific cleaning product that they recommend. Personally water and soap are probably the best product for cleaning all of these products. When you have a dodger fabricated, be sure that ALL the panels can be zipped out. It makes repairs and replacement cheaper and easier too.
Care of any of these products is paramount. The folks that made my dodger recommended Lexan. There was no difference in price between vinyl & lexan. Lexan is NOT rigid, but cannot be rolled when stored. When we remove the windows, we store them under the vberth with terry cloth towels seperating the panels. Vinyl becomes wavey after a few years but is fairly durable. Stratglass looks to be a nice product, but should only be cleaned with a specific cleaning product that they recommend. Personally water and soap are probably the best product for cleaning all of these products. When you have a dodger fabricated, be sure that ALL the panels can be zipped out. It makes repairs and replacement cheaper and easier too.
Stratiglas Customer Service is Excellant!
I used stratiglas in my dodger when built in 03. After 3 years of use, it had some visual dimples like are in a basketball skin. We think it was caused by using the original cleaner they specified. I called to ask about how to take out the dimples and they recommended alcohol and it worked. They STILL shipped new material to my fabricator and I had it replaced. I paid for the labor, but they gave me the stratiglass - I think that was way beyond what was required. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you go with stratiglass. It is easy to roll up and is very clear. Just wash with soap and water and then use their recommended IMAR cleaner and you will have many years of clear vision!
I used stratiglas in my dodger when built in 03. After 3 years of use, it had some visual dimples like are in a basketball skin. We think it was caused by using the original cleaner they specified. I called to ask about how to take out the dimples and they recommended alcohol and it worked. They STILL shipped new material to my fabricator and I had it replaced. I paid for the labor, but they gave me the stratiglass - I think that was way beyond what was required. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you go with stratiglass. It is easy to roll up and is very clear. Just wash with soap and water and then use their recommended IMAR cleaner and you will have many years of clear vision!
Tim,
You're right about the thread. I didn't know about Gortex thread until recently (don't know how long it's been on the market.) Definitely go w/ the better thread... it's no fun to be offshore in a blow and have the stitching pull loose. Not sure what material my panals are made with.. but, it's not "Strataglas". Next time around, I'll have to give it a try. Jerry, how's it's scratch resistance?? The best thing I've been using for the past few years are microfiber cloths to clean the panals... and making sure to wash the salt off w/ fresh water before cleaning... makes a big difference over time to prevent the panals from gradually becomming dulled w/ numerous tiny scratches.
You're right about the thread. I didn't know about Gortex thread until recently (don't know how long it's been on the market.) Definitely go w/ the better thread... it's no fun to be offshore in a blow and have the stitching pull loose. Not sure what material my panals are made with.. but, it's not "Strataglas". Next time around, I'll have to give it a try. Jerry, how's it's scratch resistance?? The best thing I've been using for the past few years are microfiber cloths to clean the panals... and making sure to wash the salt off w/ fresh water before cleaning... makes a big difference over time to prevent the panals from gradually becomming dulled w/ numerous tiny scratches.
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