The Bimini on my small boat has telescoping side tubes. I can use it in the lower position for sailing so the boom clears it, and the higher position at anchor or dock for extra headroom.
The leather trim on our new (and pricey) dodger looked very rich and pleasing for the first 4 years or so. Then over time it slowly started to shrink and became brittle leading to fading and cracks. I suppose the constant exposure to the elements took its toll on the leather. The Sunbrella Seamark still looks great. I did use Lexol leather cleaner and cream conditioner throughout the sailing season and tarped over the boat in the off season. Our previous boat experienced similar results. I should have learned but I attributed it to neglect and unknown age of the installation.
Pay a lot of attention to the height of the dodger. As others have noted if it's too high you need to look through the windows. And there is additional windage. Too low and you will have to stoop to get under it and access the companionway. And then there's the admiral.
I also think premium materials for the windows is money well spent. When I had the OEM glass replaced the difference in visibility was dramatic.
I also think premium materials for the windows is money well spent. When I had the OEM glass replaced the difference in visibility was dramatic.
Hi Paul,
A couple things to add. I see you are in Vancouver as am I and we do end up in the rain at times. On my Hunter and my friends Catalina water will drip into the cockpit where the "connector" attaches to the dodger and eventually down the person's back who is sitting there. I wish it was designed differently to avoid this. I purchased a light summer tarp to prevent this.
For your connector think about the number of windows. I prefer 3. Same for the dodger. You already have a frame so that will influence your decision but again think about the number of windows.
Our current boat has Strataglass which I really like. I am not sure how old it is as I have had the boat for 2 years. I think it is 40 thickness and it formed a curve just fine on the side windows. It does not have covers. I am not sure I would add them. There is a good article in Practical Sailor on pros and cons.
Our previous boat had Lexan windows which also worked well. I replaced them after 10 years with Strataglass. I don't think the dodger was designed to tension the strataglass as it was too wavy. The canvas company agreed and changed it back to Lexan.
There are many experiences with dodger windows. The region we live in makes a difference in how much sun/heat etc compared to other regions. Even the amount of salt in the ocean.
I did way too much research but the best method for choosing the glass was having an experienced person walk me around the marina showing all the different examples on existing boats.
Dirk
A couple things to add. I see you are in Vancouver as am I and we do end up in the rain at times. On my Hunter and my friends Catalina water will drip into the cockpit where the "connector" attaches to the dodger and eventually down the person's back who is sitting there. I wish it was designed differently to avoid this. I purchased a light summer tarp to prevent this.
For your connector think about the number of windows. I prefer 3. Same for the dodger. You already have a frame so that will influence your decision but again think about the number of windows.
Our current boat has Strataglass which I really like. I am not sure how old it is as I have had the boat for 2 years. I think it is 40 thickness and it formed a curve just fine on the side windows. It does not have covers. I am not sure I would add them. There is a good article in Practical Sailor on pros and cons.
Our previous boat had Lexan windows which also worked well. I replaced them after 10 years with Strataglass. I don't think the dodger was designed to tension the strataglass as it was too wavy. The canvas company agreed and changed it back to Lexan.
There are many experiences with dodger windows. The region we live in makes a difference in how much sun/heat etc compared to other regions. Even the amount of salt in the ocean.
I did way too much research but the best method for choosing the glass was having an experienced person walk me around the marina showing all the different examples on existing boats.
Dirk
Some great suggestions! Thanks. Will let you know how it goes.
Just another suggestion and you can do this yourself during the off season. If your frame fittings hold the tubing with set screws then consider replacing some of them with SS rivets. Not the ones that you'll need to remove to take the canvas down in the fall. If need be the rivets can always be drilled out to take the frame down.
Making some progress here. Receive a few quotes. But the one I like most has one irregularity. The dodger frame is in place and they are happy to work with that (other have insisted they use their own frames) but has quoted $700+tax for the grab rails. Apparently the angle brackets need have to be made custom (I wanted to ask by who!). Does this strike anyone else as a bit extreme? I've attached a pic with our current grab rail viewed from the mounting side of the dodger. I see that yes these do look like rather custom items, but $700?
It seems the rail itself can be purchased for much less in various formats. And isn't this something similar to what we are looking for? https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Polished-Fitting-Connector-Handrail/dp/B0CYLSX8NR?th=1
Perhaps I am over simplifying? Maybe the angles are very tough to work with? Anyone DYI'd this themselves? (just talking about the grab rail, not planning on taking on the whole project)
It seems the rail itself can be purchased for much less in various formats. And isn't this something similar to what we are looking for? https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Polished-Fitting-Connector-Handrail/dp/B0CYLSX8NR?th=1
Perhaps I am over simplifying? Maybe the angles are very tough to work with? Anyone DYI'd this themselves? (just talking about the grab rail, not planning on taking on the whole project)
