Dodger and Bimini features you love?

[paulheth]

I am buying a boat that has the framing for the dodger and bimini. I like the design and plan to keep the frame. If you were in my position of commissioning the design of such yourself, what features would you absolutely include.

The frame design is such that the bimini is slightly higher than the dodger with a connecting cloth that I plan to have windows in, although the angle from one to the other is quite shallow. The only other decision is that we will zipping 400 W of solar into the top. I have done the same with my current boat and it has worked very well (very little shade, easy to remove and install so store them during the winter months for years more use etc).

Your thoughts? What do you love?

 

[David W]

When I had the dodger built for my Crown 34, one of the handiest features was a little pocket, under the top at the rear that held a one cell Maglite. Perfect for those late night arrivals when you need a light to open the boat or what have you. Out of sight but handy.
From a safety perspective, handrails were essential for going forward and window covers for the shade.

 

[dlochner]

Add handles to the outside of the dodger and detachable side panels.

 

[Johnb]

Handles on the outside for going forward.
Easily removed center panel in the dodger for ventilation at anchor.
Strong frame for heaving oneself around.
Not needing foulies on San Francisco Bay.

 

[BarryL]

Hi,

If possible, both the bimini and dodger should be easy to stow. When racing I fold my dodger down (better sight lines, less windage), and on cooler days I fold up the bimini and enjoy the sun. My bimini has a nice cover that allows the stowed bimini to stay up and out of the way. My bimini has windows in it so I can see the mainsail trim from the helm. That's nice to have but I wish I had a way to cover the window when lounging.

Barry

 

[fred1diver]

I love California dodgers, when it’s hot outside you simply remove the windows and it is like a Bimini, on a Bimini I love having a window to look at the main sail, especially useful in bad weather

 

[capta]

I got very lucky when I bought Skipping Stone. I could stand up comfortably under the bimini everywhere, even at the helm! I've been on a half dozen or so other Pearson 530s, and Skipping Stone is the only one with full headroom. I never would have known what I was missing. Another thing I've found that is very bothersome is when there are no windows in the side of the dodger. It makes it dark and dingy under the dodger, whereas a dodger with side windows allows one 360 degree visibility when standing in the companionway, under shelter and dry, say in a squall!
Make sure your frame does not interfere with the sailing operation equipment, such as cleats and winches. It can be so aggravating to be unable to crank a winch 360 degrees, if one wishes to, or quickly pop a couple of loops on a cleat. Do not forget a window over the helm to see what's going on aloft!!!

 

[shemandr]

Second the hand holds. People lean on the dodger frame anyway while entering /exiting the cockpit so you might as well build it to suit.
Could actually save your own life. I don't know the stats but entering/exiting the cockpit is the most vulnerable transition on a sailboat in my opinion. Especially for aging sailors.

 

[Dalliance]

As multiple others have said, hand rails on the sides for boarding and going forward from the cockpit are essential.

 

[paulheth]

All great stuff! Hand rails for sure. Any others?

 

[Jim Legere]

Makrolon windows. Once you have used a dodger with optically clear windows, you'll never want anything else. They also improve the shape (curves) of the dodger.

 

[Apex]

dodger sides should be deep enough to duck under in foul weather. saw on a Youtuber options to fold or adjust the sides to suit. cool idea.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

My bimini has straps leading forward to hold the forward-most crossbar secure. I think this is a fairly common feature with many biminis. The straps are also in the way. I've seen other biminis that have horizontal cross-bar braces that also serve as handholds if you step further aft on the deck. These eliminate the straps, making it easier to go forward on deck. This is what I would like to change on my boat. Also, be sure to have covers for all the dodger windows. I don't have them and the vision is cloudy. When I replace the vinyl, I'll be sure to have the covers made also.

 

[dlochner]

My bimini has straps leading forward to hold the forward-most crossbar secure. I think this is a fairly common feature with many biminis. The straps are also in the way. I've seen other biminis that have horizontal cross-bar braces that also serve as handholds if you step further aft on the deck. These eliminate the straps, making it easier to go forward on deck. This is what I would like to change on my boat. Also, be sure to have covers for all the dodger windows. I don't have them and the vision is cloudy. When I replace the vinyl, I'll be sure to have the covers made also.

Yes get rid of straps. Everything should be solid and stainless steel no aluminum tubing. The dodger and to a lesser extent serve as hand hold in addition to sun wind and spray protection

 

[dLj]

Second the hand holds. People lean on the dodger frame anyway while entering /exiting the cockpit so you might as well build it to suit.
Could actually save your own life. I don't know the stats but entering/exiting the cockpit is the most vulnerable transition on a sailboat in my opinion. Especially for aging sailors.

Kind of an aside, but getting into and out of the cockpit was something I thought a lot about and made crew practice.

It is not trivial.

dj

 

[Rick Webb]

As mentioned, pocket for flashlight also for SPOT, cell phone, handheld VHF, corkscrew any other essentials.

 

[shemandr]

. As mentioned, pocket for flashlight also for SPOT, cell phone, handheld VHF, corkscrew any other essentials.

That reminds me. On my H356 with guests aboard at Napatree anchorage she put her cell phone on the cabin top aft of the dodger. The cabin top has a modest camber and the cell phone slide sideways and amazingly smoothly under the dodger and kerplunk. She said "What do I do now?" Someone said she could call it and see where the bubbles are. She said "Really?" Another person said "No. You're going to have to buy a new phone."
So those pockets are useful.

 

[Davidasailor26]

+1 for Makralon. We’ve had both that and strataglass. Both are optically quite clear when new, but the strataglass being less stiff tends to bend and kink, making distortions. The makralon lasted us about 7 years before it started getting crazed but until then was clear with no distortion at all. We replaced it with strataglass a few years ago but unless the strataglass lasts decades I think we’ll go back to makralon when it’s time.

One Bimini feature I haven’t seen mentioned is a small clear plastic window to see the masthead. Ours is maybe 8x8 and is good for things like getting a quick glance at the windex when docking. We have a flap with button snaps to close it off and block the sun if it’s at an annoying angle.

 

[Joe]

All great stuff! Hand rails for sure. Any others?

No leather! The craftsman that built my dodger used a synthetic material that is far superior for the various reinforcement sections.
No vinyl windows! Splurge on this because it will make a huge difference. Strataglass was mentioned, there are a few others.
The fore and aft grab handles are a blessing for entering the boat, especially for seniors. They add more rigidity to the frame and can be easily removed. I paid an additional $100 for this feature. Again, well worth it.
Speaking of grab handles. I know you're frame is already in place, but I wanted to mention that my dodger's frame has a long handle welded on across the back portion. It looks really nice besides being extremely functional.

Dodger vertical height. This is a personal preference, of course. When designing my dodgers frame I wanted to be able to see over the top when standing in the cockpit, holding the tiller. Full 360 view is the goal, and not entirely possible when underneath. So the top of the dodger comes up to my chin. I've never regretted this decision, but I noticed your intention to use it conjunction with a bimini.. So I would recommend creating enough vertical space between the dodger and bimini so you'll have the visibility option. On your boat you'll want to experiment with this... checking boom clearance, etc.... but I'm mentioning it now in case you have not considered it yet. Good luck.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

The connector can be a tricky issue. On my boat (also Catalina 320), I believe the dodger and bimini were custom designed for the previous owner. The back frame of the dodger is just below chin height when I'm standing in the cockpit (I'm 6'). The bimini was designed for a short guy who could stand on the seats without crouching. I'd say it is about 6" taller than I need it to be. I do love being able to see clearly over the dodger but my wife and I both frequently hit our head on the back frame when climbing out the companionway.

The connector spans the space with a new, clear vision panel, but it droops so much that it does not provide a clear view. We are looking through a near horizontal film of vinyl. It's not possible to stretch it tight enough to improve the angle, but we have realized that if we can support it with battens to make a concave vision panel (bowed upward), we will be able to see thru it clearly. It's a modification that we haven't completed yet but looking forward to how it may help. We only put the connector on when overnight in cool weather or raining so it is typically not an issue when sailing.