Hi, bought a sailrite sewing machine and I'm trying to make a dodger. My boat is on the hard without the mast & boom on. Could anyone tell me how far from the mast the forward bow of the dodger is so it would clear the mainsail furling line. Also the height of the aft dodger bow above the companionway.
Beneteau 40cc Dodger Help
- Thread starter Dave19853
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Hi Dave... I have a Sailrite also, and made a bimini and other canvas stuff for the boats I've had- presently a B323. Bear in mind that the bow size and shape will vary by whomever makes them. Or do you have them already? I live a mile from the Annapolis Sailrite store. If you go on the Sailrite forums, you might see Dan, the manager of the Annapolis store. He advocates a little bit differnt dodger fabrication:
Make the top somewhat like you'd do a bimini- no sides. On the edges of the top, place separate # 10 zippers. Then make separate panels for the sides. (Include a rear zipper if you'll be making a panel to fill in to the bimini.) This way you'd make 3 side panels, with a zipper at the top edge, and left excess fabric at the panel side-edges and bottoms. Zip the top zipper to the dodger "lid", then mark/cut/make the side edges of the 3 panels for a truely custom fit. You would probably put zippers in to connect the front and two side panels to each other? Top and sides fitted, spread out the bottom excess and determine where you'll locate whatever fasteners you plan to hold it to the deck. Mark the fabric and hem it and attach the fasteners.
This way, in the sewing machine, you can manage the three side panels if you need to re-do them or, more importantly, replace the window plastic. I have my 2 bows mounted to the cabintop, but not started the canvas part yet. I've toyed with the idea of a third bow that would lay down on the deck to secure the lower edge of the dodger. Then only a few, stronger, attachments would be needed to secure the bow to the deck. Also, on either side of the sliding hatch I'm putting two struts to hold up the front bow when the aft one is pivoted forward onto it.
Make the top somewhat like you'd do a bimini- no sides. On the edges of the top, place separate # 10 zippers. Then make separate panels for the sides. (Include a rear zipper if you'll be making a panel to fill in to the bimini.) This way you'd make 3 side panels, with a zipper at the top edge, and left excess fabric at the panel side-edges and bottoms. Zip the top zipper to the dodger "lid", then mark/cut/make the side edges of the 3 panels for a truely custom fit. You would probably put zippers in to connect the front and two side panels to each other? Top and sides fitted, spread out the bottom excess and determine where you'll locate whatever fasteners you plan to hold it to the deck. Mark the fabric and hem it and attach the fasteners.
This way, in the sewing machine, you can manage the three side panels if you need to re-do them or, more importantly, replace the window plastic. I have my 2 bows mounted to the cabintop, but not started the canvas part yet. I've toyed with the idea of a third bow that would lay down on the deck to secure the lower edge of the dodger. Then only a few, stronger, attachments would be needed to secure the bow to the deck. Also, on either side of the sliding hatch I'm putting two struts to hold up the front bow when the aft one is pivoted forward onto it.
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Hi. Thanks for your input. Sorry I took so long to reply. Here is a pic of my new dodger.
Cheers
Cheers
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