I am having difficulty locating a source for a dodger for my Hunter 380, year 2000. If any fellow Hunter 380 owners have any recommendations, I would greatly appreciate a name and number if available. Thanks in advance, Ken
- Status
I have a complete canvas dodger and enclosure
First, take what I write with a grain of salt as I live in the Pacific Northwest and have enjoyed boats with dodgers for thirty plus years. I would not sail without them. We tend to take them for granted around here--even some of the racing boats have dodgers. Yes, I have a 1999 Hunter 380 with a dodger, a windshield forward of the fibreglass arch and a rain fly (to the east coasters that is a bimini) aft of the arch. This year I added panels all the way around, each one can be removed or rolled up. The aft door panel actually comes up forward and snaps overhead to the arch so that it can be left open. There are at least four good canvas makers in Bellingham however, I selected on out of town as he is a fourth generation canvas worker. His work is and was excellent. For those in the area, it is Gilmore's Upholstery in Ferndale (talk to Rob Gilmore, 360.384.3706). Some points to ponder-- You want your dodger (the leading piece) to be tall enough so you can get in and out of your hatchway easily. However, you need to check the heighth to see if you can see over it or below it. But being in your line of sight is not good. Mine is low enough that I can see over it but a friend of mine has a Hunter 380 too and his is much taller. I like the looks of mine but his is good for him. Use one half inch or larger stainless steel tubing. The 380 was designed for a dodger forward--you can see where it ought to go. One problem is that the sides of the dodger are close to the jib winches. Buy a nine inch winch handle and be sure as they measure where your tubing is going to go that your winch handle will be usefull and do a complete circle. Add stainless handhold on each side of the dodger. If you are not going to have a bimini or anything aft of the dodger, add a hand hold aft of the dodger. You are apt to stand there forward of the steering station out of the wind but watching and the hand hold is nice. There are those who say to use only twist snaps but my designer said the button snaps are easer to use and do not leak as much. So far he has been correct. If you have the money, also buy a dodger and windshield covers. Sun is hard on the plastic and it will only last a few years before starting to cloud up. It can be replaced but the covering will give you several more years before you have to do that. I like my canvas system. With the complete enclosure, I've added a sun room which in this neck of the woods is wonderful. I also don't bother with rain gear anymore except to get to and from the boat. What a delight. I hope this helps. Best of luck. Les
First, take what I write with a grain of salt as I live in the Pacific Northwest and have enjoyed boats with dodgers for thirty plus years. I would not sail without them. We tend to take them for granted around here--even some of the racing boats have dodgers. Yes, I have a 1999 Hunter 380 with a dodger, a windshield forward of the fibreglass arch and a rain fly (to the east coasters that is a bimini) aft of the arch. This year I added panels all the way around, each one can be removed or rolled up. The aft door panel actually comes up forward and snaps overhead to the arch so that it can be left open. There are at least four good canvas makers in Bellingham however, I selected on out of town as he is a fourth generation canvas worker. His work is and was excellent. For those in the area, it is Gilmore's Upholstery in Ferndale (talk to Rob Gilmore, 360.384.3706). Some points to ponder-- You want your dodger (the leading piece) to be tall enough so you can get in and out of your hatchway easily. However, you need to check the heighth to see if you can see over it or below it. But being in your line of sight is not good. Mine is low enough that I can see over it but a friend of mine has a Hunter 380 too and his is much taller. I like the looks of mine but his is good for him. Use one half inch or larger stainless steel tubing. The 380 was designed for a dodger forward--you can see where it ought to go. One problem is that the sides of the dodger are close to the jib winches. Buy a nine inch winch handle and be sure as they measure where your tubing is going to go that your winch handle will be usefull and do a complete circle. Add stainless handhold on each side of the dodger. If you are not going to have a bimini or anything aft of the dodger, add a hand hold aft of the dodger. You are apt to stand there forward of the steering station out of the wind but watching and the hand hold is nice. There are those who say to use only twist snaps but my designer said the button snaps are easer to use and do not leak as much. So far he has been correct. If you have the money, also buy a dodger and windshield covers. Sun is hard on the plastic and it will only last a few years before starting to cloud up. It can be replaced but the covering will give you several more years before you have to do that. I like my canvas system. With the complete enclosure, I've added a sun room which in this neck of the woods is wonderful. I also don't bother with rain gear anymore except to get to and from the boat. What a delight. I hope this helps. Best of luck. Les
- Status