I just received my final quote for a dodger, bimini, connector and side curtains on my H34. But my budget is only going to allow for either the dodger or bimini this year. Most of my sailing is in good weather with no racing so my inclination is to go with the bimini for the shade. Any thoughts? Is the dodger more functional then the bimini?
Dodger vs Bimini
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Dodger First
...in heavy weather, your dodger becomes a safety issue...install the dodger and buy a hat...
...in heavy weather, your dodger becomes a safety issue...install the dodger and buy a hat...
Cancer vs windburn
Skin cancer in America is a big issue, therefore I would consider the bimini first-but then I noticed you live in Green Bay, so maybe the sun is not so much an issue. I understand Sandy J's point of view but I sailed for 25 years and rarely had a dodger, and don't really know of a time when the dodger would have really made the sail safer; but then again 99% of my sailing has been in the lower latitudes.
Skin cancer in America is a big issue, therefore I would consider the bimini first-but then I noticed you live in Green Bay, so maybe the sun is not so much an issue. I understand Sandy J's point of view but I sailed for 25 years and rarely had a dodger, and don't really know of a time when the dodger would have really made the sail safer; but then again 99% of my sailing has been in the lower latitudes.
In the rain...
..I like the dodger when sailing or in port cause you don't have to close the main entry.
..I like the dodger when sailing or in port cause you don't have to close the main entry.
Bimini hands down
Zach, Go with the bimini. When I bought my 321 that had a bimini already, I only used it when we did our summer cruise (it can be easily stowed or deployed on my boat). Then next summer it was deployed for the rest of the summer after the cruise. Last summer it was out all summer! If the weather's bad enough that you "need" a dodger for safety, I'm headed for port anyway. There is no substitute for being able to get out of the sun on a hot day, or getting some cover when it rains. I'm in Detroit, so getting to cruising grounds requires a river trip either north or south. My wife refused to do the river trip again after doing it one year on my old bimini-less First 32. Since having the newer boat and doing the trip with the bimini, she has no problem with it anymore, and this past summer we did two trips to Lake Erie requiring 4 Detroit River passages. The Admiral was on board for all 4 (and even volunteered to steer for once when she saw how the chartplotter worked!). I say bimini, IMHO. And get one that is easily "convertible" as it IS nice to stow it sometimes. Tim
Zach, Go with the bimini. When I bought my 321 that had a bimini already, I only used it when we did our summer cruise (it can be easily stowed or deployed on my boat). Then next summer it was deployed for the rest of the summer after the cruise. Last summer it was out all summer! If the weather's bad enough that you "need" a dodger for safety, I'm headed for port anyway. There is no substitute for being able to get out of the sun on a hot day, or getting some cover when it rains. I'm in Detroit, so getting to cruising grounds requires a river trip either north or south. My wife refused to do the river trip again after doing it one year on my old bimini-less First 32. Since having the newer boat and doing the trip with the bimini, she has no problem with it anymore, and this past summer we did two trips to Lake Erie requiring 4 Detroit River passages. The Admiral was on board for all 4 (and even volunteered to steer for once when she saw how the chartplotter worked!). I say bimini, IMHO. And get one that is easily "convertible" as it IS nice to stow it sometimes. Tim
Get the Bimini
The bimini will protect you and crew from the sun. It will also provide UV protection for your instruments in the cockpit. The dodger is mostly to protect against cold wind and foul weather. If most of your sailing is in fair weather get the bimini. There have been times I wished I had a dodger but a bimini down here is necessity 100% of the time.
The bimini will protect you and crew from the sun. It will also provide UV protection for your instruments in the cockpit. The dodger is mostly to protect against cold wind and foul weather. If most of your sailing is in fair weather get the bimini. There have been times I wished I had a dodger but a bimini down here is necessity 100% of the time.
Dodger
My vote is for the dodger first. My 35.5 had a dodger when I bought it and I sailed it most of the summer without a bimini until finally getting one in the fall. I like the bimini but if I could only have one or the other I'd choose the dodger. It allows you to keep the rain out of the companionway and will keep the spray off. Even on fairly calm days you can get spray coming over the bow and I'd rather wear sunscreen than foul weather gear.
My vote is for the dodger first. My 35.5 had a dodger when I bought it and I sailed it most of the summer without a bimini until finally getting one in the fall. I like the bimini but if I could only have one or the other I'd choose the dodger. It allows you to keep the rain out of the companionway and will keep the spray off. Even on fairly calm days you can get spray coming over the bow and I'd rather wear sunscreen than foul weather gear.
In Wisconsin, go for the dodger
Benny, A bimini may be mandatory in FL but in WI, I'd go for the dodger first. It offers protection from the cold & wet in the early and late seasons and it's nice to be able to leave the companionway open when you are below in a rainstorm. See what a "Helmsnam's awning costs. It zips on to the aft edge of the dodger and attaches to your backstay. It offers almost as much protection from the sun as a bimini and I'm sure it's cheaper. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Benny, A bimini may be mandatory in FL but in WI, I'd go for the dodger first. It offers protection from the cold & wet in the early and late seasons and it's nice to be able to leave the companionway open when you are below in a rainstorm. See what a "Helmsnam's awning costs. It zips on to the aft edge of the dodger and attaches to your backstay. It offers almost as much protection from the sun as a bimini and I'm sure it's cheaper. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Helmsman's Awning
Sorry, That's "Helmsman's Awning". My fingers got confused. You can also try what I did before I had the bimini, a small beach umbrella. Tom
Sorry, That's "Helmsman's Awning". My fingers got confused. You can also try what I did before I had the bimini, a small beach umbrella. Tom
Well, my two-cents...
If there is no way you can buy both then: Dodger and Fly (helmsman's awning) The fly zips to the trailing edge of the dodger and attaches to the backstay with a small whisker pole to keep it spread. This is the arrangement I had with my last boat and it worked very well. As a matter of fact, I never did buy a bimini. The fly was $175.00 including the pole. Cheers, Bob
If there is no way you can buy both then: Dodger and Fly (helmsman's awning) The fly zips to the trailing edge of the dodger and attaches to the backstay with a small whisker pole to keep it spread. This is the arrangement I had with my last boat and it worked very well. As a matter of fact, I never did buy a bimini. The fly was $175.00 including the pole. Cheers, Bob
bimini
I say get the Bimini first.. It's really hard to be out in the hot, hot, hot sun in the summer time....You wife will love it too! No rain, No sun...
I say get the Bimini first.. It's really hard to be out in the hot, hot, hot sun in the summer time....You wife will love it too! No rain, No sun...
We did ours over time
Granted, it's not cheap to have your canvas done to your liking. If you are like us, we wanted quality, so we built, locally, over time to spread the cost. We did the dodger, first. Since you are from the colder, short season climes, like us, you should too. Then we went to the bimini (actually a fly that zipped to the trailing edge of the dodger and back to a ss bow that is mounted athwarthship and behind the helmsman) and then, finally, to the side curtains. I'm glad we did. We are not sorry for enclosing the cockpit so that we can use it at our liesure. We never had the back enclosed because of all the "stuff" hanging on back there (motor mount, grill, fender rack, ladder access, etc), but we don't need/miss it!
Granted, it's not cheap to have your canvas done to your liking. If you are like us, we wanted quality, so we built, locally, over time to spread the cost. We did the dodger, first. Since you are from the colder, short season climes, like us, you should too. Then we went to the bimini (actually a fly that zipped to the trailing edge of the dodger and back to a ss bow that is mounted athwarthship and behind the helmsman) and then, finally, to the side curtains. I'm glad we did. We are not sorry for enclosing the cockpit so that we can use it at our liesure. We never had the back enclosed because of all the "stuff" hanging on back there (motor mount, grill, fender rack, ladder access, etc), but we don't need/miss it!
Dodger first in WI
You will get more use out of the dodger. You wife can sit behind it while beating. You can sail with the companionway open and you're better off to fit the dodger first then add a bimini. Make sure a zipper and lapel (covers the zipper from UV rays) are installed on the dodger, for the bimini, at a later date..
You will get more use out of the dodger. You wife can sit behind it while beating. You can sail with the companionway open and you're better off to fit the dodger first then add a bimini. Make sure a zipper and lapel (covers the zipper from UV rays) are installed on the dodger, for the bimini, at a later date..
Vote for bimini
First of all, it depends on how and where you sail. In my case, in the Long Island area, my prior boat had a dodger and no bimini. We sailed that way for three years. When I got the new boat, the budget left me in the same bind as you -- and I opted for the bimini. After a full season, I do not regret the choice at all. The bimini is useful almost all of the time, and by giving shade and shelter in the cockpit, we find the sailing far more pleasant. The skin cancer issue is not trivial, and we have a friend who has had melanoma, does not go out in the direct sun almost at all, and never sailed with us until we got the bimini. We just find it a tremendous plus. On the other hand, we rarely needed the dodger when we had it, though I thought it was great looking. When its so unpleasant that someone needs shelter, they usually go below. Your boat's sailing characteristics and your sailing habits will dictate how often the dodger is functional, but I rarely get splashed in the cockpit, even if fairly rough weather. I also found the dodger sometimes got in the way, especially when folded down, and although i could see over it well, at 6'4", the admiral could not steer the boat when the dodger was up. That being said, your boom height may also be an issue. If you are as tall as I am, the bimini needs to be so high it can rub on the boom. Bottom line is I will probably get a dodger this season or next, but don't regret going with the bimini first. Your mileage may vary.
First of all, it depends on how and where you sail. In my case, in the Long Island area, my prior boat had a dodger and no bimini. We sailed that way for three years. When I got the new boat, the budget left me in the same bind as you -- and I opted for the bimini. After a full season, I do not regret the choice at all. The bimini is useful almost all of the time, and by giving shade and shelter in the cockpit, we find the sailing far more pleasant. The skin cancer issue is not trivial, and we have a friend who has had melanoma, does not go out in the direct sun almost at all, and never sailed with us until we got the bimini. We just find it a tremendous plus. On the other hand, we rarely needed the dodger when we had it, though I thought it was great looking. When its so unpleasant that someone needs shelter, they usually go below. Your boat's sailing characteristics and your sailing habits will dictate how often the dodger is functional, but I rarely get splashed in the cockpit, even if fairly rough weather. I also found the dodger sometimes got in the way, especially when folded down, and although i could see over it well, at 6'4", the admiral could not steer the boat when the dodger was up. That being said, your boom height may also be an issue. If you are as tall as I am, the bimini needs to be so high it can rub on the boom. Bottom line is I will probably get a dodger this season or next, but don't regret going with the bimini first. Your mileage may vary.
Many responders here obviously have no idea ...
How cold northern Lake Michigan is until about July 15th (and the cold water definitely impacts how cold it is in the boat)! Then after August 15th, the cold weather sets in again ... but I guess with global warming setting in that may be changing. Even in the relatively (to northern Wisconsin) warm climate of northern New Jersey we got fed up with the bimini and took it off completely. We were constantly stooping under it, it was almost impossible to look at sail trim, the frame is constrictive and always in the way. Then again your H34 has more room than our Starwind 27 ... Still, wear sun block and a hat when sailing ... drape an inexpensive awning over the boom when not for the 1 or 2 months you need shade and extend your already short season with a dodger for sure. Even as far south as Chicago, I remember days in June where the cold air from the lake would have us shivering in parkas while people on shore could be wearing tank tops! But that was a few decades ago ... maybe it's warmer now! Actually Ted, I was surprised by your response because I know how long it takes for summer to arrive at the east end of Long Island ... but still, it is no comparison to the chill of Lake Michigan in late spring and early summer
How cold northern Lake Michigan is until about July 15th (and the cold water definitely impacts how cold it is in the boat)! Then after August 15th, the cold weather sets in again ... but I guess with global warming setting in that may be changing. Even in the relatively (to northern Wisconsin) warm climate of northern New Jersey we got fed up with the bimini and took it off completely. We were constantly stooping under it, it was almost impossible to look at sail trim, the frame is constrictive and always in the way. Then again your H34 has more room than our Starwind 27 ... Still, wear sun block and a hat when sailing ... drape an inexpensive awning over the boom when not for the 1 or 2 months you need shade and extend your already short season with a dodger for sure. Even as far south as Chicago, I remember days in June where the cold air from the lake would have us shivering in parkas while people on shore could be wearing tank tops! But that was a few decades ago ... maybe it's warmer now! Actually Ted, I was surprised by your response because I know how long it takes for summer to arrive at the east end of Long Island ... but still, it is no comparison to the chill of Lake Michigan in late spring and early summer
Dodger
....we sail right across the lake from you and have both. We find the dodger provides better protection under most conditions.
....we sail right across the lake from you and have both. We find the dodger provides better protection under most conditions.
Well, the bimini did help ...
It kept us from standing up and having our blocks knocked off during an unannounced gybe ... *o
It kept us from standing up and having our blocks knocked off during an unannounced gybe ... *o
Bimini
Scott, you are quite right, the hot weather arrives late at the East End of Long Island. The seasons are always later there because we are surrounded by ocean and the temperature change is much slower. I still find that the bimini is really useful on the hot days that do come, and we have enough of them. but as I mentioned, there are quite a few variables that effect the relative usefulness, including where you and how you sail. If I could not have a bimini I could stand under, I would not have it. All I can say is that I wish I was standing under it sailing right now, instead of dreaming about it while the boat sits on the hard.
Scott, you are quite right, the hot weather arrives late at the East End of Long Island. The seasons are always later there because we are surrounded by ocean and the temperature change is much slower. I still find that the bimini is really useful on the hot days that do come, and we have enough of them. but as I mentioned, there are quite a few variables that effect the relative usefulness, including where you and how you sail. If I could not have a bimini I could stand under, I would not have it. All I can say is that I wish I was standing under it sailing right now, instead of dreaming about it while the boat sits on the hard.
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