Bimini/dodger

[The_Sailing_Pelican]

Hi again...
Regarding Bimini and Dodgers, what would be advantages /disadvantages of having them build in one whole piece or two individual ones, ect
Thx
C

 

[dlochner]

Depends on the boat. Dodgers are often lower to allow for clearance of the the boom. If the Bimini was low enough to clear the boom, it might be too low to stand up under. A common solution is to build them separately and provide a connecter between the dodger and Bimini.

Having a one piece unit also makes it more difficult to enter and leave the cockpit. With 2 pieces there is an opening to enter the cockpit from the side deck.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I can think of no advantage to having a combined bimini and dodger.

 

[sail sfbay]

Two piece advantage is you can remove bimini for visibility, disadvantage is you will have a zipper between sections.

One piece advantage is no zipper between sections and only if you never plan to remove either section for visibility or maintenance, disadvantage is cannot remove bimini for visibility or either section for maintenance

I have always had 2 sections that zippered together. Zipper never leaked.

 

[The_Sailing_Pelican]

Two piece advantage is you can remove bimini for visibility, disadvantage is you will have a zipper between sections.

One piece advantage is no zipper between sections and only if you never plan to remove either section for visibility or maintenance, disadvantage is cannot remove bimini for visibility or either section for maintenance

I have always had 2 sections that zippered together. Zipper never leaked.

Interesting observation, thx

 

[The_Sailing_Pelican]

Very interesting observation thx

 

[MikeHoncho]

My traveler sits just aft of the companionway requiring a separate dodger and Bimini while sailing.

 

[SoSound]

If your original question is regarding the timing, I had the dodger built first, and then waited a couple of years before I had the same fabricator build the bimini. As previously mentioned, there is a connector panel which zippers between the dodger and the bimini. I wanted to give the budget a little time to recover before having the bimini made.

 

[shemandr]

In cooler weather you might want the Sun.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

In cooler weather you might want the Sun.

That’s a good point up north but he is apparently in Tampa where a bimini is essential

 

[Hollyberry]

In warm climes the dodger might be a detriment.. staying in the breeze will keep you cooler. We're in the midst of a mini heat wave and if we don't open the front center window it's stifling in the cockpit. OTOH when it's cool and raining being able to duck out of the weather is a big plus.
Another major plus of a dodger is generally being able to leave the cabin hatch open in the rain.. more light, air, ventilation...


btw... after 40 yrs of sailing without a bimini we finally have one... while I don't appreciate the interference with looking at sail trim, the shade (and, at times, the dry) is welcome.

 

[dlochner]

In warm climes the dodger might be a detriment.. staying in the breeze will keep you cooler. We're in the midst of a mini heat wave and if we don't open the front center window it's stifling in the cockpit. OTOH when it's cool and raining being able to duck out of the weather is a big plus.
Another major plus of a dodger is generally being able to leave the cabin hatch open in the rain.. more light, air, ventilation...


btw... after 40 yrs of sailing without a bimini we finally have one... while I don't appreciate the interference with looking at sail trim, the shade (and, at times, the dry) is welcome.

Our dodger has a roll up center panel and removable side panels. In hot weather we will remove the side panels and roll up the center panel. This allows plenty of air flow while still providing some protection from the sun.

A Bimini does restrict vision of the main sail and the windex. Adding a window in the Bimini helps to alleviate this issue. Ours has a little flap than closes the window.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

What year and make is your boat would certainly help to know for better sdvice

 

[MikeHoncho]

Our dodger has a roll up center panel and removable side panels. In hot weather we will remove the side panels and roll up the center panel. This allows plenty of air flow while still providing some protection from the sun.

A Bimini does restrict vision of the main sail and the windex. Adding a window in the Bimini helps to alleviate this issue. Ours has a little flap than closes the window.

Same, ours is a hard dodger with zip-out panels all the way around. Gives shade and funnels the breeze to the cockpit. Works well.

 

[The_Sailing_Pelican]

What year and make is your boat would certainly help to know for better sdvice

1985 Pearson 303

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I don't think I've ever seen a one-piece dodger/bimini. Offhand, I'd say that it would be way too complicated and a bad idea.