I am looking at quotes for a good quality dodger for a 31 foot sailboat. Just wondering what would be a ball park quote. I want 1" SS tubulars with a two bow arrangement. The boat came from the South with a Bimini. A good friend and colleague of mine that I worked with in Newfoundland remarked(with a French accent), "That is for the Lac Place." When she saw it for the first time. She is French Canadian and a very accomplished mariner. But I am figuring for a dodger alone - $1500 to 2000 would be reasonable? Regards, Chris
Ball park price for dodger on 310
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Depends...
There are LOTS of options. Welded grab bar, Stratta Glass Windows, Gore Tex thread, strut braces, luff tape type deck attachment or lift-a-dots or twist locks etc. etc.. I'd figure between 2k and 3.5k. A good canvas guy will build it from scratch to fit your boat and will not work off one size fits all pattern. I spent $700.00, after I took delivery of my brand new boat, on my factory dodger getting it to fit correctly and look right. The entire theing had to be taken apart stich by stich and re-sewed correctly! The Catalina factory canvas is very low end.. Here's an link to an article I wrote about my custom canvas & dodger project on my Catalina 36. It will give you a good idea of what exactly goes into a quality dodger! http://www.mobilecanvas.com/collins.html
There are LOTS of options. Welded grab bar, Stratta Glass Windows, Gore Tex thread, strut braces, luff tape type deck attachment or lift-a-dots or twist locks etc. etc.. I'd figure between 2k and 3.5k. A good canvas guy will build it from scratch to fit your boat and will not work off one size fits all pattern. I spent $700.00, after I took delivery of my brand new boat, on my factory dodger getting it to fit correctly and look right. The entire theing had to be taken apart stich by stich and re-sewed correctly! The Catalina factory canvas is very low end.. Here's an link to an article I wrote about my custom canvas & dodger project on my Catalina 36. It will give you a good idea of what exactly goes into a quality dodger! http://www.mobilecanvas.com/collins.html
Dodger choices
I had ours custom made by a one man shop (well, his wife helped out). I liked the fact that I could input on some of the design aspects, like the overall height, and how far it came back over the cockpit. It is pretty basic, except I got the harder Lexan? windows, and snap on window covers. $2800 six years ago.
I had ours custom made by a one man shop (well, his wife helped out). I liked the fact that I could input on some of the design aspects, like the overall height, and how far it came back over the cockpit. It is pretty basic, except I got the harder Lexan? windows, and snap on window covers. $2800 six years ago.
Plenty of 310 Dodger pics...
I have plenty of pictures of my customized factory dodger here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/acoustic It pretty much looks the same but was re-sewed to fit correctly.
I have plenty of pictures of my customized factory dodger here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/acoustic It pretty much looks the same but was re-sewed to fit correctly.
get a real quote...
You can contact any nautical canvas specialist for a free quote. Here's one that you can get started with just to see what the lower end prices are. They start with a design pattern of your boat model then augment the final design with specific measurements you must supply them. The product is shipped to you with installation instructions. http://www.islandnauticalcanvas.com/ Then.... I would look to a local canvas shop, Halifax is a nautical town, I'm told, and ask them for an estimate. You must weigh the difference between custom and pre-made. If you choose custom, by all means give your business to the local guy.
You can contact any nautical canvas specialist for a free quote. Here's one that you can get started with just to see what the lower end prices are. They start with a design pattern of your boat model then augment the final design with specific measurements you must supply them. The product is shipped to you with installation instructions. http://www.islandnauticalcanvas.com/ Then.... I would look to a local canvas shop, Halifax is a nautical town, I'm told, and ask them for an estimate. You must weigh the difference between custom and pre-made. If you choose custom, by all means give your business to the local guy.
I have to disagree with Maine Sail!
the "factory" canvas dodger is made by JSI in Florida and is definitely NOT low end! I have one on our 2005 C-310, and thus far after two seasons, it still looks brand-new. It has rail holds, covers, opens up in the center for really hot days, and comes apart in pieces for winter storeage. It is very easy to break down, and re-install every season, and has heavy duty 1 inch tubing throughout. It has been through some serious wind storms and has held up very well. Additionally, I would also guess that you could bypass Catalina altogether and (probably) get better pricing through JSI direct. I will probably be adding a bimini within the next season or two.
the "factory" canvas dodger is made by JSI in Florida and is definitely NOT low end! I have one on our 2005 C-310, and thus far after two seasons, it still looks brand-new. It has rail holds, covers, opens up in the center for really hot days, and comes apart in pieces for winter storeage. It is very easy to break down, and re-install every season, and has heavy duty 1 inch tubing throughout. It has been through some serious wind storms and has held up very well. Additionally, I would also guess that you could bypass Catalina altogether and (probably) get better pricing through JSI direct. I will probably be adding a bimini within the next season or two.
Maine Sail, you've obviously done your homework
and know what you're talking about. All I can say is I have no complaints about our dodger. Maybe JSI did THEIR homework to get it right (ours is a 2005)...maybe not. I'm sorry to hear that you had so many problems with your dodger...perhaps I'll re-think the Bimini idea...I knew I'd regret chiming in.
and know what you're talking about. All I can say is I have no complaints about our dodger. Maybe JSI did THEIR homework to get it right (ours is a 2005)...maybe not. I'm sorry to hear that you had so many problems with your dodger...perhaps I'll re-think the Bimini idea...I knew I'd regret chiming in.
No problem...
No problem chiming in and I'm glad you got a good one! My boat is also a 2005 but even a half inch mix up when cutting cloth can have drastic effects and I'm sure they have more than one person there sewing some probably good and at least one evidently bad...
No problem chiming in and I'm glad you got a good one! My boat is also a 2005 but even a half inch mix up when cutting cloth can have drastic effects and I'm sure they have more than one person there sewing some probably good and at least one evidently bad...
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