hard dodger

[redhead78]

I am looking at dodger options, I have seen some sweet looking hard dodgers, in photos, anyone know where I could look into pricing one. I know they are pricey, but I am looking at a third $ 1200.00--$1500.00...unit. Canvas ones get beat so easy, its narrow going forward, and everyone grabs at it, then lose footing its frustrating. When I have my friends out on the boat I don't want to be scolding them like kids, its nobodys fault....seems like the hard ones may be much hardier.... Red

 

[Rick D]

Is this what you were thinking of?
http://wavestopper.net/

 

[Phil Herring]

Those are pretty popular up here. Last I heard they were running around $5-6k I think, but well worth it for the right application.

 

[Steve Dion]

I got a price of $8k for my HV'36 about 6 years ago.

You still need to replace the windows/zippers every 4-6 years.

 

[alexco38]

Rigid dodger. Not hardtop.

I made my dodger rigid and free standing. i.e. No straps. The folding handle bar make the dodger like a convertible car. Good for racing.

 

[redhead78]

Alex, what do u mean rigid, is it a canvas unit ??Red

 

[Bill Roosa]

raise the height and extend it forward and you don't have those problems
if somebody grabbed my bimin/dodger they would have to be 7' tall and falling down the companionway

 

[alexco38]

Rigid means it doesnt rely on straps to keep the dodger up. The tension from the horizontal handholds (outside) keep the top of the canvas very tight. Its like the airplane wing skin.

There are 2 vertical pieces that keep the front frame firmly in place. So the entire dodger is under tension on the canvas to keep it tight. Like a hard dodger.

Same with the bimini.

I can fold the whole thing down in less than a minute. The best is that you can swing on it without it falling on you. Good brace for the crews.

 

[Cool Beans]

I always thought it would be convenient to put a collapsible boom crutch on a hard dodger. . .

 

[koolfrog]

Build your own for a couple of hundreds.....

 

[onecoolair]

Alex, what do u mean rigid, is it a canvas unit ??Red

The frame is fixed no straps.

 

[redhead78]

Kool frog, i may be up for that have any pics of const, or tips.I see windows look removable....Red

 

[koolfrog]

Window are fixed...bolted through Lexan.
It is constructed from 2 layers of "doorskin" plywood cut in stips of 6" laminated with epoxy in a compound curve and covered by 6oz cloth on each side , with an extra "arch" of ply and carbon fiber to provide rigidity ( I can sit on it and get only 1/2" of deflection) .
Total materiel cost was under $200....but quite time consuming !