Cost of dodger?

[Ralph18414]

I just received a quote of about 700$ to construct a new canvas dodger for my Pearson 30. The 700$ is just for the canvas work (including the strata-glass (sp?)). I will be reusing my existing framework. This strikes me as kind of high. What do y'all think?

 

[Phil Herring]

Well, a new dodger can easily cost $2k-$3k

That sounds to me like a decent price.

 

[GuyT]

Sounds too good to be true

If it turns out to be good construction, you got a great deal.I take it this is like a California style dodger, not too much material?

 

[Tim22902]

too good to be true.......

I would wonder about the quality for anything under $1400.00. Material alone will cost close to $400.00. Be sure to look at some examples of their work.Tim

 

[Bill]

Not Bad

I just had 2 of my 5 glass panels replace to the tune of $220 and that was in the same ball park as 3 other quotes.

 

[Maine Sail]

That's a steal!!!

Consider the time, labor and materials that go into a dodger I can assure you $700.00 is pocket change. If it was your canvas business I can assure you that you would not be making any money at $700.00...My canvas guy will not even build a dodger for less than $1200.00 and that's for a 17 foot Mako. Most are much more with the average between $1600.00 and $2500.00 but go as high as $3600.00 depending on options. My canvas guy only does top line custom built dodgers though and will not ever use a pattern from another boat even if it's the same or similar. You get what you pay for and I guarantee at $700.00 lots of corners will be cut. The canvas work on the boat below was over 70 hours in labor alone. How much do you make per hour??? http://www.mobilecanvas.com/collins.htmlYou should be asking questions like:When you install my dodger do you properly bed each snap or fitting with a Polysulfide like 3M101 or 4200 or Sikaflex and clean it up properly?Then consider options and construction very carefully. Below are some options to consider. Not all dodgers are created equal!!1) Heavy wall 316 stainless tubing not thin wall 304 or "gulp" aluminum!2) 316 stainless fittings not chrome plated or type 3043) Bias matched construction (creates almost double the waste fabric but ensures a proper fit4) Matched rake and crown to the boats cabin top for aesthetics5) Support struts for strength and fit6) Welded grab bars for safety7) Suede or leather baseball stitched wrapped hand rails8) Heavy gauge Strataglass .060 not the much less expensive .030 Strataglass9) UV resistant Goretex thread10)Hot knife fabric cuts for fray free canvas11)Zip out not roll up front window - saves the window from scratches12)Radius window corners not square (more money, more labor but wrinkle free windows)13)On the boat patterning - ensures a tight fit for longevity14)Zipper lapels to prevent premature UV damage to any zippers15)Zip off side curtains16)Hidden Stamoid reinforcement in high load areas17)Luff tape & track deck attachment system instead of Lift-A-Dots or twist locks18)Stamoid or suede covered hand grab area19)Ri Ri UV resistant zippers instead of the cheaper and shorter lasting YKK's20)Pre reinforced to accept a zip on bimini?21)Suede water tight halyard and sheet pass throughs not large cut outs.http://www.mobilecanvas.com/collins.html

 

[graphicmaniac]

dodger re-do

I'm in the process of having new canvas on my existing dodger frame, and a new bimini (including frame) with a connector panel (my h40 traveller is in the companionway) and it is costing me 6 thou.Graphic Maniac

 

[Mike4116]

Jump on it

Such a deal! Assuming that the builder is using real strat-a-glass and the quality of the work is good then $700 is a steal. Keep in mind that some times you get what you pay for. I'd get things like delivery dates and materials in writing.

 

[jviss]

$6k is a lot!

"I'm in the process of having new canvas on my existing dodger frame, and a new bimini (including frame) with a connector panel (my h40 traveller is in the companionway) and it is costing me 6 thou."Wow, maybe I got off easy - I had the same job done on a C36, plus 4 winch covers, a windlass cover and a mainsail cover for about $4.5k (3 years ago). Work done by Neil Thurston, one of the best in the Northeast.

 

[Ross]

Anyone that thinks he can save money

by doing the job him self can invest a few thousand in sewing machines, tubing benders, grommet and snap setters and miscellaneous hand tools. Hint: You make the big pieces first and then use the scrap for winch covers.

 

[RAD]

My frame and old dodger for a template

Cost me 1000 extra after he quoted to make a new bimini and a connector piece to the dodger, the whole job was 2400 and the work was great.so 700 sounds fair

 

[JB]

$700 Dodger

I've had a few estimates to put a small dodger on my Cal 34. Some estimates were as high as $1600I just had a Classic Rolls Royce redone in real leather..Seats, door panels,and behind the rear seat for $995. Thats real leather!Tell me why a half a canvas box no bigger than the front seat of the car costs$1600? Because it's a boat? And every canvas shop thinks its ok to rip u off if you own a boat!If I had the same thing made for an awning on the house it would cost maybe $300.Go figure! This happends to be my favorite rant.

 

[Steve Dion]

Cheap at $700 but what is being done?

Ralph:I just had a new dodger made last fall for our Hunter Vision 36. It does make a difference on how they are constructed though. All of our windows are removable (5 panels). They also have covers for the windows.The company that made ours used Sunbrella Plus for the top (water proof and mildew resistant). We had a choice of Strata-glass, lexan or vinyl (no difference in cost). They also constructed the frame with side and aft hand rails. The entire unit can be zipped off. The dodger is tight as a drum. The total cost for this was $3450 including installation. The company is Pacific Coast Canvas in Alameda, CA. and I can highly recommend their work. This is NOT a job for a novice. Friends of our that have done a lot of sewing were doing a lot of swearing in redoing theirs recently. I do not think that they would try it again.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I learned to sew

You have a pattern with the original dodger and the sumbrella and clear window material is not that expensive. You can get them from sailrite.com I hand sewed mine over the winter for $300 while watching TV.For a couple of thousand dollars you could invest in a heavy duty sewing machine and still be money ahead. Not that you need one for this project. But then you are set up for repairing your sails and other projects around the boat. A boat does not have to be a hole in the water that you throw money into.The big advantage is you can sew in pockets and straps for those things that you can't find a place for.

 

[Tim R.]

Don't need thousands for a good machine

I use a 1963 Singer 600e that has all metal gearing. I bought it on ebay for about $250. It works wonderfully sewing sunbrella. I have made a binacle cover, a mainsail cover and some fender covers out of fleece. I am sure some of you naysayers would say that what I made are not as nice as what a pro can do but I can assure you that they are as good if not better.My old machine was a brother that I used to re-upholster my Pearson 28. It died shortly thereafter. Professional machines are built to be used every day and must be very rugged. That is why they are so expensive(and also because they are for boats JB!) I am sure that the quality of the Singer would indeed cost thousands today but that machine has lasted all these years and are very sought after because of this. Fortunately their age causes them to sell for much lower than a comperable modern machine. A local repairman(50 years of experience) told me that I will never wear out this machine as long as I oil it and keep it properly adjusted.Tim R.

 

[frank balcer]

Wow!!

And to think, I was wanting to purchase a dodger for my Pearson 30. Think i will invest in a couple of pairs of good goggles!!!

 

[Jadedcrew]

Tswhum Pete

Is that an Artful Dodger? The style sure looks like their work.

 

[Jim]

It is a good price

at that price I am sure it is not a first class dodger but I am sure it will meet your needs!

 

[Ralph18414]

Golly, I had no idea that these things cost so

much. I really appreciate the reality check.Now for the rest of the story. I use to date the gal who gave me the quote. She dumped my sorry *ss because I didn't heed her advice on re-rigging that, in retrospect, should have been heeded. (I wound up having to re-rig with the stick up and the boat in the water rather than doing it when the boat was in my back-yard.) She does good work but is very slow because she is very busy with other work.I appreciate y'all telling me that the quote is good. I need to learn to be more trustful.

 

[NYSail]

Never.....

Stop asking for opinions and advise. Always compare notes with others on topics you are not an expert on, especially when dealing with large amounts of money so you know and will not be taken....My opinionGood Luck