Dodger & Bimini Manufacturers in NH/MA

Steve Dion · Dec 13, 2010

I would guess that you would cost about $3,000 for a dodger and $1,500 for a bimini.

I would suggest that you take a look at a semi custom bimini from this website. The dodgers that are off the self are okay, but not nearly a nice as a custom made one.

There are many options on a dodger that you may or may not be able to get on an off the shelf unit.

Ron20324 · Dec 13, 2010

When I bought my B323, a local company would have done the dodger/bimini/filler panel for $5200.

All U Get · Dec 13, 2010

dstewart100 said:
Looking at costs for adding a Dodger & Bimini to a possible 31' Elan purchase, and don't know costs or good, reputable people in my area.

Any general costs range info would be great (I know there are a number of factors) and a recommendation for a manufacturer/fabricator would be bttter than great.

Fair winds!

Halletts in Falmouth, Me. I've taken my sails there every winter and have had them repair my dodger. They just did a Bimini for our friends and did a remarkable job. DIY with Sailrite if you can sew.
http://hallettcanvasandsails.com/

All U Get

Warren Milberg · Dec 15, 2010

You can get some quotes from Island Nautcial Canvas, a good place to do business with: http://www.islandnauticalcanvas.com/

Maine Sail · Jan 12, 2011

If you want canvas in the NH Mass area:

Mark Hood is good in MA

Hood Marine Canvas
99 E. Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860
978-346-4658 (Shop)

Mobile Marine Canvas builds the best dodgers and is the perhaps the best canvas craftsman in the North East but he is a touch expensive.

Seth Hetherington
66 Allen Point Road
Harpswell, ME 04079
207-833-5400

Hallett Canvas did mine this past summer, about $6k
Richard Hallett
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]215 Foreside Rd.
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-7070[/FONT][/FONT]

Hallett Dodger:

There are soooooo many options that it gets mind boggling. The best advice I can give is to find the best canvas guy you can. Dodgers are one of the toughest canvas items to do well and many fail miserably at it.

Some options:

Stratta Glass windows
EZ2CY Glass Windows
Makrolon Windows
Welded Grab Rail
Side Grab Rails
Luff Tape Type Attachment To Deck
Lift-A-Dot Attachment
Snap Attachment
Twist Lock Attachment
Stamoid Fabric
Sunbrella Fabric
Sunbrella Plus Fabric
Zip Off Side Windows
Zip Out Front Window
Drop top
Bracing Struts
304 or 316 SS
Heavy Wall or Thin Walled Tube
Polyester Thread or Tenara (Gore Thread)
Leather/Suede Wrap On Grab Rail
Crown & Rake (shape of dodger)
Window Placement
Window Covers
Lapels To Cover Zippers

etc. etc. on and on

A very poor & pathetic example of a dodger:

The well made and well executed replacement for that dodger by Mobile Marine Canvas:

CarlN · Jan 12, 2011

+1 on Mainesail's comments. These are tricky pieces of craftsmanship and not cheap. The narrow coach roof of an Elan 31 will also be a challenge but you really will want the protection of a good dodger for New England cruising.

A few lessons I've learned over the years:

Most people never take their dodger down.

Use strataglass (or better) for the windows. Regular vinyl goes too quickly. Use only strataglass cleaners.

Use the 316 SS tubing and oversize it (e.g. 1" or bigger) for any major pieces. The rust on 304 will drive you nuts.

Always have the dodger fabricator test mount the tubing on the boat before the canvas is made. I really like to have all of the following (not always possible). 1) Is it comfortable to stand on a step of the companionway under the dodger? 2) do I not hit my head on the dodger when going up or down the companionway? 3) When I stand at the helm can I see the jib furler drum over the top of the dodger? 4) When I sit, do I have good visibility through the window. 5) Make sure no winch handle hits any part of the dodger (check this last item also on the bimini bows.)

Carl