79% of responding Hunter owners have either a dodger or bimini installed, according to last week's Quick Quiz. Are you pleased with your installation and design? Who makes a good unit? And have you foumnd any special tricks to make their protection even more valuable?
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David Shapiro
pluses & minuses of shade & protection
We just took delivery of a new Passage 420 with dodger and fore and aft biminis. The dodger looks great until you stand up at the helm. If you are between 5'-5" and 5'-9" the top structure blocks your eye level and the side support blocks your hand and winch when using the jib winches. We got our dodger with grad handles which unfortunately stop us from lowering the dodger. We didn't realize this until we got the boat. The bimini's are great but we could have done without the aft piece that mounts behind the arch. It only sticks out about 2 feet and in the first few weeks we all have walked into the edge of it when boarding the boat. Great boat, but some minor items could be revised.
We just took delivery of a new Passage 420 with dodger and fore and aft biminis. The dodger looks great until you stand up at the helm. If you are between 5'-5" and 5'-9" the top structure blocks your eye level and the side support blocks your hand and winch when using the jib winches. We got our dodger with grad handles which unfortunately stop us from lowering the dodger. We didn't realize this until we got the boat. The bimini's are great but we could have done without the aft piece that mounts behind the arch. It only sticks out about 2 feet and in the first few weeks we all have walked into the edge of it when boarding the boat. Great boat, but some minor items could be revised.
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Tom M.
PARTIAL HARD DODGER
I've looked at soft dodgers for about 5 years, the p-rices started at $800 and climbed when a local canvas shop for a so called custom job would cost $1000. baring no unforeseen problems, My boat a 1982/1983 has full coaming, which is truly a benifit, so I made a temp[late of the coaming configuration and bought a 3/8" thick sheet of white starboard, cut the coaming periphery with 6 windows, that the smoked plexi slides out for better ventalation,(only 4 slide out) I also added a 3/8" dia. rope slide extrusion to attach a bimini, the bimini does not have any ribs/ bows it go's from the top edge of the partial dodger to a dbl tube S?S solar panel rack that ties into my pedestal w/2 verticle tubes and my stern pulpit, the aft end of the bimini is laced on to S.P.R. my dodger will last longer than I will, the windows can be replaced simple and fast, soft dodgers don't last long, the eisenglass becomes milky and dull, THINK HARD .
I've looked at soft dodgers for about 5 years, the p-rices started at $800 and climbed when a local canvas shop for a so called custom job would cost $1000. baring no unforeseen problems, My boat a 1982/1983 has full coaming, which is truly a benifit, so I made a temp[late of the coaming configuration and bought a 3/8" thick sheet of white starboard, cut the coaming periphery with 6 windows, that the smoked plexi slides out for better ventalation,(only 4 slide out) I also added a 3/8" dia. rope slide extrusion to attach a bimini, the bimini does not have any ribs/ bows it go's from the top edge of the partial dodger to a dbl tube S?S solar panel rack that ties into my pedestal w/2 verticle tubes and my stern pulpit, the aft end of the bimini is laced on to S.P.R. my dodger will last longer than I will, the windows can be replaced simple and fast, soft dodgers don't last long, the eisenglass becomes milky and dull, THINK HARD .
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Dick Vance
Smaller Convertibles
Some kind of sun/rainshade is very important for most people, especially if you are cruising or sailing with family. Smaller boat owners have their own set of problems, not the least of which is a smaller boating budget. My 25.5 was not really made for a standard bimini. The boom is too low to mount underneath so I had to modify one so that it would clear the main leech above the boom for standing room. I once went aboard a 25.5 where the owner had installed his bimini underneath the boom and all you could do was sit or crouch! I also put the mounts on tracks alongside the toerails so that the top could be slid forward when not sailing to cover the entire cockpit. I've passed this modification on to several 25.5 owners and all have been pleased. When racing or when the weather is such that we don't need the top, it folds up against the backstay and the cover zips on. Looks like an authentic Hunter Arch! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Some kind of sun/rainshade is very important for most people, especially if you are cruising or sailing with family. Smaller boat owners have their own set of problems, not the least of which is a smaller boating budget. My 25.5 was not really made for a standard bimini. The boom is too low to mount underneath so I had to modify one so that it would clear the main leech above the boom for standing room. I once went aboard a 25.5 where the owner had installed his bimini underneath the boom and all you could do was sit or crouch! I also put the mounts on tracks alongside the toerails so that the top could be slid forward when not sailing to cover the entire cockpit. I've passed this modification on to several 25.5 owners and all have been pleased. When racing or when the weather is such that we don't need the top, it folds up against the backstay and the cover zips on. Looks like an authentic Hunter Arch! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
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Steve Cook
Waitting for installation
We just bought a bimini & dodger for our new H310. We will be getting it Sept. 21st. Boat comes out of ther water Oct. 24th.
We just bought a bimini & dodger for our new H310. We will be getting it Sept. 21st. Boat comes out of ther water Oct. 24th.
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Bob E.
Dodger pros and cons
Now that people know about the effects of too much exposure to the sun, a dodger is an important piece of boating equipment. But there are downsides. My dodger also interferes with the jib winch handles. And my wife can't see foreward when standing at the wheel. I can see over it, but I usually sail with the front window rolled up (we still get shade from the fabric top) and get good visibility forward when sitting. My main complaint is that I can't see the sails for proper trimming as well as I would like. One issue with many soft dodgers that I hope everyone knows is that most people grab onto them for support when going in or out of the cockpit. I even do this myself although I should know better. Grabbing onto most soft dodgers means putting you life in the hands of a thin strip of canvas and a snap or two, because that's all that's holding the dodger frame up. I plan to add braces and bows to mine ASAP to make it able to provide reliable support. Safety is more important that easy folding.
Now that people know about the effects of too much exposure to the sun, a dodger is an important piece of boating equipment. But there are downsides. My dodger also interferes with the jib winch handles. And my wife can't see foreward when standing at the wheel. I can see over it, but I usually sail with the front window rolled up (we still get shade from the fabric top) and get good visibility forward when sitting. My main complaint is that I can't see the sails for proper trimming as well as I would like. One issue with many soft dodgers that I hope everyone knows is that most people grab onto them for support when going in or out of the cockpit. I even do this myself although I should know better. Grabbing onto most soft dodgers means putting you life in the hands of a thin strip of canvas and a snap or two, because that's all that's holding the dodger frame up. I plan to add braces and bows to mine ASAP to make it able to provide reliable support. Safety is more important that easy folding.
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Karl Berntson
Need One
Bought our old H30 this spring and with summers like this some type of shading is a must. We don't have a Bimini yet. I have been looking at other boats, trying to figure out how to make one fit that will do any good. The boom is too low when under sail to fit a Bimini under it and the main sheet is in the way so I guess it could only be used when the boom is held up by the topping lift. However, I will device something for next season, because the heat has prevented us from enjoying the boat too many weekends this season.
Bought our old H30 this spring and with summers like this some type of shading is a must. We don't have a Bimini yet. I have been looking at other boats, trying to figure out how to make one fit that will do any good. The boom is too low when under sail to fit a Bimini under it and the main sheet is in the way so I guess it could only be used when the boom is held up by the topping lift. However, I will device something for next season, because the heat has prevented us from enjoying the boat too many weekends this season.
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John North
Bimini on Hunter 30
I too have been looking at adding a Bimini to my Hunter 30 1991. The boom is lower than 72" when sailing and will be a problem. I have contracted to have one built with the rear one or two inches higher than the front. I have to wait to see if it works well. This year on the Chesapeake the heat is unbelievable and you must have some sort of protection from the sun. Let me know if a successful solution to the problem has been worked out.
I too have been looking at adding a Bimini to my Hunter 30 1991. The boom is lower than 72" when sailing and will be a problem. I have contracted to have one built with the rear one or two inches higher than the front. I have to wait to see if it works well. This year on the Chesapeake the heat is unbelievable and you must have some sort of protection from the sun. Let me know if a successful solution to the problem has been worked out.
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Dave Derr
Bimini
We have a two part, forward and aft, Bimini on our h310 and really enjoy the sun and rain protection that it gives us. I had thought seriously about a dodger and, in fact, had asked other owners about it on this site. I was concerned that a dodger would restrict winch handle movement. That seems to have been confirmed here. I have decided not to add the dodger for that and other reasons, access forward, etc. What I would like to do, however, is have an extension designed to go from the forward edge of the bimini to just forward of the instruments over the companionway to keep out weather when at anchor or in the slip. I would have it designed to include plastic windows and to zip to the leading edge of the bimini and go forward and snap on the top of the instrument mount above the companionway and to the sides toward existing winches. Would only use when raining so that I can keep the companionway open and still have protection. I will have the Ship's Tailor, in Deltaville, VA, complete this design and fabrication. They did the original excellent canvas work when our boat was delivered.
We have a two part, forward and aft, Bimini on our h310 and really enjoy the sun and rain protection that it gives us. I had thought seriously about a dodger and, in fact, had asked other owners about it on this site. I was concerned that a dodger would restrict winch handle movement. That seems to have been confirmed here. I have decided not to add the dodger for that and other reasons, access forward, etc. What I would like to do, however, is have an extension designed to go from the forward edge of the bimini to just forward of the instruments over the companionway to keep out weather when at anchor or in the slip. I would have it designed to include plastic windows and to zip to the leading edge of the bimini and go forward and snap on the top of the instrument mount above the companionway and to the sides toward existing winches. Would only use when raining so that I can keep the companionway open and still have protection. I will have the Ship's Tailor, in Deltaville, VA, complete this design and fabrication. They did the original excellent canvas work when our boat was delivered.
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Clark Gill
Top Dodger maker in the Northwest
A key to satisfaction for dodgers and biminis is how they look on the boat and the detailled craftsmanship. I've had 3 Hunters a 34, 35.5 and now a 376. Artful Dodger of Port Townsend has made dodgers for all three, plus a bimini for the 376. Ellen Black Wylde has done an excellant job on each. She works directly on the boat so your boat must be in the Puget Sound area. If you are willing to pay for quality and can schedule and take your boat to Port Townsend for a week you won't regret it. Artful Dodger 360-365 2670; e-mail artfuldodger@watpt.com
A key to satisfaction for dodgers and biminis is how they look on the boat and the detailled craftsmanship. I've had 3 Hunters a 34, 35.5 and now a 376. Artful Dodger of Port Townsend has made dodgers for all three, plus a bimini for the 376. Ellen Black Wylde has done an excellant job on each. She works directly on the boat so your boat must be in the Puget Sound area. If you are willing to pay for quality and can schedule and take your boat to Port Townsend for a week you won't regret it. Artful Dodger 360-365 2670; e-mail artfuldodger@watpt.com
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R. L. Wheeler
H23 Bimini
We put an Amerisail bimini on our H23, and are very satisified. We can have the Bimini up and still be sailing. Very easily installed. My wife will not sail without one in sunny weather.
We put an Amerisail bimini on our H23, and are very satisified. We can have the Bimini up and still be sailing. Very easily installed. My wife will not sail without one in sunny weather.
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Gary Bridi
Bimini H23
I am in the process of getting one from Amerisail. The problem we ran into is the backstay. This was not provided for on the original plan and I had to return it to them with appropriate measurements. They have been good to work with so far...very responsive. Ill kep you posted.
I am in the process of getting one from Amerisail. The problem we ran into is the backstay. This was not provided for on the original plan and I had to return it to them with appropriate measurements. They have been good to work with so far...very responsive. Ill kep you posted.
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TOM
Dodger/Enclosure on 420
Have a dodger and bimini with full enclosure on my new 420 - really like it, but modifications need to be made to side tubing to bow it out off the winches. Also bars between the bows to make it stronger - it is approximately 6'1" from companionway back to the arch and is a fairly straight drop at the "windshield" - gives total visibility forward from entire cockpit area. Also had one panel of the 3 rear isinglass sections made up in screening so the glass can be removed in hot weather, but still keep my cats confined.
Have a dodger and bimini with full enclosure on my new 420 - really like it, but modifications need to be made to side tubing to bow it out off the winches. Also bars between the bows to make it stronger - it is approximately 6'1" from companionway back to the arch and is a fairly straight drop at the "windshield" - gives total visibility forward from entire cockpit area. Also had one panel of the 3 rear isinglass sections made up in screening so the glass can be removed in hot weather, but still keep my cats confined.
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jim mccarthy
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John Allison
QUESTION TO TOM ON HARD DODGER
Tom, Your response regarding your Hard Dodger interests me. I have a 1979 25' Hunter and like you feel that $750+++++ is a great deal of money to spend. On the other hand I am a Great Lakes sailor and do a lot of late fall sailing. A Dodger would sure be nice. Do you have any pictures you could send me. My email is allisonj@cc.tacom.army.mil.
Tom, Your response regarding your Hard Dodger interests me. I have a 1979 25' Hunter and like you feel that $750+++++ is a great deal of money to spend. On the other hand I am a Great Lakes sailor and do a lot of late fall sailing. A Dodger would sure be nice. Do you have any pictures you could send me. My email is allisonj@cc.tacom.army.mil.
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