Dodger fit on a C-27?

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bratzcpa

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Apr 5, 2013
6
Catalina 27 Flathead Lake, MT
We have a Catalina 27 (mid-70s). Last year, we took it on a two-month trip to the Bahamas. At the time, it was just a fully open cockpit. After the first week we REALLY REALLY wanted a dodger and bimini. For obvious reasons.

Does anyone have suggestions for this? Does a dodger work well, or even fit on a boat this size?

More specifically, how does the dodger handle the sliding companionway cover? Does anyplace out there have make these "standard"? I'm trying to avoid the cost of "custom built"?

I would appreciate any suggestions and especially any pictures of a C-27 outfitted as such.

thx in advance,

~markb
 
R

Randy6414

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Jun 5, 2004
72
Catalina 27 Stone Harbor NJ
Mark,

My 1984 C27 has a dodger, although I do not use it regularly. If conditions are nice I prefer to have as few things blocking the view & breeze as possible.

However, I have installed the dodger on a couple of occasions and it is nice to have. When my kids were first born, the dodger provided a bit of welcome shade during their first summer(s) of sailing. (We don't have a bimini). Also, on a couple of occasions when I was planning a long trip to windward in sloppy seas, the dodger is useful for blocking spray.

The downsides are that it will obstruct your view forward. It also makes grinding winches difficult--on my particular boat the winches are inside the dodger when it's installed, so I can't turn a full circle with the winch handles. I need to "ratchet" them instead. If I had a second set of winches installed further aft near the helm this wouldn't be an issue.

Lastly, if it's hot and there's no breeze, the dodger will actually make it warmer by blocking any moving air.

On my boat, installing the dodger, or removing and folding it, each take about 15 minutes--no big deal. On most occasions I simply choose to sail without it.

Randy
 
J

John_Rog

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Jun 12, 2014
8
Catalina 27 Portland, OR
Here's what a dodger on a 1976 27 looks like: It can be a mixed blessing...it gets in the way a lot. This summer we took the front window off (it zips out) for air flow.

 
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richstar100

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Apr 1, 2012
8
Mark

I have my Catalina 27 inside of Vancouver island B.C. I am also very interested in finding a "standard fit" dodger for my 1984 model. I would be interested in a used one also if you do manage to source them anywhere I would love to hear about it.

Richard
 
R

rtjudge

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Oct 30, 2005
4
Catalina 27 Elk Rapids, Michigan
C27 Dodger Fit

Our 1977 C27 has a dodger and it is equipped with two rows of snaps on the canopy for use when closed as well as open. The forward window has a zippered center section that can be opened and rolled up for ventilation. We have found it particularly nice on choppy days. It seems to me that although it is somewhat in the way going forward, it also provides an extra handhold. Fortunately out winches are located on the gunwales astern of the dodger.
 
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