Dodger Frame and Cockpit Cushion 1984 Hunter 34

kloudie1 · Feb 4, 2019

Welcome to the forum! Lots of good info here and a good bunch of H-34 owners..
I can't help with your specific questions .. I have no dodger and the custom cockpit cushions I have, were on board when I bought the boat in 1991.... Dodgers are kinda custom because of the modifications that may have been made to the traveler/mainsheet system over the years.. some folks "Do It Themselves" as with this kit from Sailrite:
https://www.sailrite.com/2-Bow-Dodg...xXpTeBN030czj6jj7_HcHn6B6MxLmr4BoCIIwQAvD_BwE
and some folks have them made by a local sailmaker.. There are some folks around who specialize in boat canvas:
https://www.hallettcanvasandsails.com/canvas-products/sailboat-covers-enclosure/
Again, Welcome !!

sailermaned · Feb 4, 2019

Welcome to the forum, you will be surprised at the helpful information you will learn from other members.
Since purchasing my first boat ( 1987 Hunter 31) I have learned a lot about sailboat maintenance, upgrades to my boat and most of all the Art of Sailing. Since 2015 I have installed a full array of raymarine instruments, recovered v berth cushions, new pedestal/wheel cover, and new cockpit cushions with the help from Sailrite and a standard singer sewing machine. None of the projects were difficult and they made the winter that much bearable. Do your research, you will find there is someone who has done it, and will share their experience. Good luck Eddie

sail sfbay · Feb 13, 2019

You can purchase cockpit cushions that fit your boat from this site. I just did that for my new Hunter 46. As mentioned by Kloudie1, dodgers are custom fitted. In 2010 I installed a dodger kit from JSI (out of business I believe) on my 1987 Hunter 31 but was never happy with the fit up. Since then I replaced dodgers on my Hunter 386 in 2011 and Hunter 46 this year from a local canvas shop using the original frame. If you are looking for a DIY dodger contact:

http://www.shipshapecanvas.com/canvas_dodgers.php
https://www.hallettcanvasandsails.com/canvas-products/sailboat-covers-enclosure/
http://www.geminicanvas.com/cuttingedge1.htm

Capt Robbie · Feb 14, 2019

Welcome! S Edwards

As previously mentioned by others, dodgers are mostly custom.
Lots to consider when making this purchase. For example are you looking for just a dodger to help shield you from the wind or bad weather, or both. Maybe you are possibly looking for some shade from the sun on those really hot days on the water.
Maybe you might want to consider a combination of a dodger and Bimini. When I designed mine with my canvas guy we really spent a lot of time working out the details.

When I did mine, I wanted the design to be completely functional while sailing. Things on my list were.
1. Modular. Dodger and Bimini totally independent of each other.

2. Zip off side and aft glass panels. This turns it into a full enclosure when it rains so I can still utilize the cockpit.

3. Transition piece. That connects the dodger to the Bimini.

4. Maximum height. Bimini high enough to stand underneath when sailing and still have clearance under the boom.

Now to find someone to help make and design a dodger, I would start by asking your local marina's.
Now for cockpit cushions, that one is fairly easy, contact a few local upholstery shops. Make a cardboard cut out of your seats and have them fabricate them for you. Make sure that you tell them that they are going to be used outside and can get wet.

Hope this helps you

Ron20324 · Feb 14, 2019

Stop in at West or a marina and pick up a "PortBook". It is the yellow pages of boating concerns around mid-Chesapeake. It lists ten shops. Which marina are you in? In annapolis, Canvas Creations make the OEM Beneteau canvas.

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Peter's · Feb 18, 2019

S edwards said:
Hello Fellow Hunter Owners,

I am new to this forum. I am currently looking for cockpit cushion and a dodger frame for our boat. Can anyone assist or have any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
S. Edwards

I lost my boat in hurricane Michael did take the Bimini top top frame and my cockpit cushions off the boat as it is being disposed feel free to contact me 404-374-7653

sailor832 · Oct 31, 2019

Peter's said:
I lost my boat in hurricane Michael did take the Bimini top top frame and my cockpit cushions off the boat as it is being disposed feel free to contact me 404-374-7653

Any chance you have any of this still available

pyratsoul · Oct 31, 2019

Any chance you still have these

Peter's said:
I lost my boat in hurricane Michael did take the Bimini top top frame and my cockpit cushions off the boat as it is being disposed feel free to contact me 404-374-7653

sailor832 said:
Any chance you have any of this still available

any chance you still have these

Capt Robbie · Nov 4, 2019

S Edward
First of all welcome,
As others have posted dodgers are almost at custom however I believe this site offers a very generic kit that may fit your boat and basic needs to get out of the wind and spray. Just call them and tell them that you have a hunter 34 and they can tell you what they stock that will fit the boat.
I would suggest that you talk to some local marina and I'm sure that the can point you in the right direction. As someone post before. Make a list of your needs for a dodger. Example, functional when sailing, side curtains for when it rains, do you want a Bimini top also to get out of the sun and wether. When I designed mine I wanted the frame to be only attached to the rails so that no rain water would enter the cockpit area, and that it was fully functional while sailing .

Cockpit cushions I had made at a local upholstery shop for approximately half of that the marine industry wanted. They were made easily by making a cardboard template