Correct Dodgers for Alden Zephyr's. Help

[stevens]

My name is Steve Robling and I bought an Alden Zephyr 3yrs ago which is about 90% restored. My wife would like
to install a Dodger to have a little shade on deck. In looking around for dodgers that fit the boat and period.
I thought the one installed on Christmas, pictured in the top left corner of the this web site, was the most appropriate I'd
seen. I understand this is owned by Tom Young. Tom I'd be very grateful if you'd send me a larger picture of
Christmas so that I can show it to the Dodger maker I'd appreciate it greately. Granted Christmas is a Challenger and Foolish things is a Zephyr, but both have similar cabin tops and cockpit dimensions. I'm still finding my way around the
forum, so feel free to send it at srobling@liatigroup.com. Thanks in advance.

 

[Orca]

Steven - here is the beginning of my dodger construction. I have additional photos of the process if you're interested.

Rick

 

[stevens]

Thanks so much. This is very very helpful. I'd appreciate any additional pics, especially the photo on the top left corner of the
chat room, which presents the starboard side of your boat. If you'd send a full-sized version of that pic, It would be
super. Also, I think your design is exceptional not just because it captures the era, but also because it is kind of deep,
i.e. its coverage extends further aft over the cockpit than most dogers. My wife wants a dodger to get some shade in the cockpit
without having to set a bimini. I think bimini's are fine but, the fewer moving parts the better.

Again, many thanks. I'll put pic's of my boat on this site as soon as I figure out how to e-mail the pictures.
Christmas is one of the most handsome boats I've ever seen.

 

[TomY]

Hi Steve, welcome to the board. I just had the above dodger rebuilt this spring. Using the same frame, we only made some small changes.

The original was built before I owned the boat. After years of use, we decided to just copy it. There's a problem with the offset Challenger companionway; if top is curved, it gets low over the opening. Most of all, I had to be able to see over it.

The cons; it's not as pleasing to everyones eye. It's rather flat topped and not "bomber" shaped with a round top. Some think alittle odd looking with the cut outs.
It's hot, alot of plastic and we have no front zip out window. This, is essentially a good thing for us sailing in Maine though. It requires a deep bend to go below. I'm alittle over 6' tall. It's an old fashioned looking style, the earlier models evolved from even smaller boxey dodgers over companionways, I believe.

Pros; it's very low, I can easily see over it standing in the cockpit. It's designed to unsnap and fold down to allow full ventilation under a boom hung bimini we prefer. For protection, it's the closest thing I've seen to a pilot house. I'm fully protected holding the wheel aft and stay warm and dry. It's so deep, it covers the bridgedeck keeping it dry and protected (even for sleeping in a light rain) With a wooden dam (straight piece to further compound the shape to a "box" and no zippered window, it deflects all spray and wave (so far). It's little more the 12" above the cabintop.

I just saw your PM's, tell me if this shot I'm posting is enough.

 

[Orca]

There is a small overlap with the bimini and I've sewn a zippered, windowed extention that connects to the dodger that I can quickly install in fowl weather. I've changed the frame layout from my previous dodger to allow the forward bow to be ridged with the aft bow folded on to it. This allows for easy removal/installation of the dodger and support for a winter cover with the dodger removed. The outboard hand holds supply additional sturdiness and access convenience from the weather decks.