Like most dodgers, the one on my 35.5 uses two adjustable straps at the rear of the frame to keep it taught. They are connnected to the frame itself and to the coaming of the cockpit with snap hooks The problem is they are always getting loose and there is a tendency to want to grab on to them, like a handrail. At a boat show, I saw a version made of solid ss tubing connected to the dodger frame with a jaw slide at the top and a cap and hinge fitting at the bottom so it can be mounted to the coaming. This provides a solid grab rail and also is more ridgid than nylon straps.The angle of mounting to the coaming can also be smaller, thus less obtrusive on getting in and out of the boat. My question is, where to buy them, or is it something that needs to be made up custom? Fred Miller S/V M Squared
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You need to make them up.
Fred: My dodger is made that way. You will need to determine if you can slide a fitting onto the dodger where the strap attaches. If not there is a pricey fitting that opens to clamp over the tube. Then you need the fitting for the combing and a piece of tube to connect the two. If you have a canvas shop in the area, they should have all the parts.
Fred: My dodger is made that way. You will need to determine if you can slide a fitting onto the dodger where the strap attaches. If not there is a pricey fitting that opens to clamp over the tube. Then you need the fitting for the combing and a piece of tube to connect the two. If you have a canvas shop in the area, they should have all the parts.
I came up with an alternate solution to the straps
I created braces for my bimini out of aluminum tubing and nylon bimini top fittings all available at West Marine. My bimini consists of fixed tubes at the stern and two sets of tubes that hinge off of the stern tube and slant forward and the front edge is held to the deck with long nylon straps that interfere with going forward or getting off the boat. (You can see a photo of it folded up on the boat info-owners photos for the H 29.5 on this forum - s/v Windswept). I was able to eliminate these with the new braces. The braces are attached, one to the front tube and two shorter ones to the back tube (either side of the window in the bimini so the helmsman can see the windtells). I used the standard nylon bimini tube fittings that fit around the tube and the other tubes attach to in a hinge like setup. I modified the fittings for the other end of each tube so they are only half a circle. What they do is you open the top and swing out and brace the loose end with the modified fitting on each of the new tubes against the middle tube creating a fixed bimini with no nylon straps, that can be folded up in less time than the straps took. Sorry I'm not digital camera ready yet so if you need a clearer description you can e-mail me at mulf@aol.com and I will try to explain further (please put the word hunter in the subject so I know it's not more junk email).
I created braces for my bimini out of aluminum tubing and nylon bimini top fittings all available at West Marine. My bimini consists of fixed tubes at the stern and two sets of tubes that hinge off of the stern tube and slant forward and the front edge is held to the deck with long nylon straps that interfere with going forward or getting off the boat. (You can see a photo of it folded up on the boat info-owners photos for the H 29.5 on this forum - s/v Windswept). I was able to eliminate these with the new braces. The braces are attached, one to the front tube and two shorter ones to the back tube (either side of the window in the bimini so the helmsman can see the windtells). I used the standard nylon bimini tube fittings that fit around the tube and the other tubes attach to in a hinge like setup. I modified the fittings for the other end of each tube so they are only half a circle. What they do is you open the top and swing out and brace the loose end with the modified fitting on each of the new tubes against the middle tube creating a fixed bimini with no nylon straps, that can be folded up in less time than the straps took. Sorry I'm not digital camera ready yet so if you need a clearer description you can e-mail me at mulf@aol.com and I will try to explain further (please put the word hunter in the subject so I know it's not more junk email).
Here is a picture of mine!
Fred: This is not the best picture but you may be able to get an idea.
Fred: This is not the best picture but you may be able to get an idea.
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