Hard Dodger

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sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
I'm thinking about building a hard dodger. Right now, it will be on the bottom of my priority list and probably wont be done till early next year, but I want to get it planned and built BEFORE I need it. I have the skills in both fiberglass and cold molding wood techniques, and soon I will have all of the necessary tools in my shop. What I want to build is a hard top for the dodger and use the normal typical soft roll-up/zip-up windows. I am looking for photo's and design ideas before I start this project. Any and all help will be appreciated. Tony B
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Check Out This for Hard Dodger

See link
 
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larry w

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Jun 16, 2005
476
- - long beach, CA
I think a hard dodger

is a great idea. Gives you a place to stand to attend things on the boom, see further, mount solar panels, etc, and if it's big enough, could almost be a pilothouse, especially if you have a remote control and repeater for the plotter/gps/autopilot. The only problem is if they turn out too big and cumbersome, and ruin the lines of the boat.
 
Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
$$$$$

I really like the idea of a hard dodger....I have a horrible feeling that it would be VERY expensive. I still like the idea of a hard bimini too, but no one else seems to like the idea. I never take my canvas down in the season and I know that you would get a lot more life out of a rigid material (worst comes to worst you paint it). Oh well, I may have to do some expermentation someday and build a nice setup.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Why a hard dodger?

I am not being critical. I just wonder why everyone thinks a hard dodger is such a good idea? My soft dodger is original from 1979 and I probably do not use it more than four times a year. It just sits there folded up in case the weather turns. Sailing from western Lake Erie to North Carolina I might have used it twice. Maybe it has to do with how you sail. For me a clear view of the sails and the wind in my face is why I am out there. As for plans I do recall an issue of, I think, Sail magazine that featured an article on building one.
 
S

Steve Marshall

hard Dopdger help and examples

Hi All I am a boat builder, and build, and custom design Hard dodgers. I have a bunch of pictures you can check out on my blog site. Type in "sailboat hard dodgers Marshall design" you'll find a good selection Cheers Steve Marshall
 
Rich (P303)

Rich (P303)

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Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
Can't give you any help...

... but where would you store something like that when not in use. Ooops... just looked at your "Bio"... I guess you can find room someplace! I have a hard time finding a place for my hatch boards. Nice dodger Phil... very nice!
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
I couldn't imagine

having a hard dodger down here on the gulf coast. I want the wind and salt in my face unless it's pretty cold. I like to be able to fold it down, and leave it down till needed. I can understand why you guys up there in the frozen tundra would want a big, permanent, never come down dodger. But for me, no thanks.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Once again

I started typing before completely reading a post, or putting my brain in gear, take your pick. A hard dodger, like Tony is talking about, with a roll up front, would probably be pretty nice. Have never seen on made like that. But as long as you can get the front opened up all the way, would be pretty nice.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,318
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
to steve marshall

very, very cool.... Never seen so many dodgers, thanks mate. Good luck to you.
 
sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Thanks to all

Larry: There really is no reason why a hard bimini or a hard dodger should be large and ruin the lines of a boat if properly done. I would make a form and cold mold the curve of the dodger to match the curve of my boat. The top would be 2 layers of 1/4" luan doorskin laminated together. Then that would covered in 1 layer of fiberglass. Total thickness will be less than 5/8" Thats much thinner than the normal sag in a sunbrella dodger. It would be supported by the same 1" Stainless Steel tubing in a normal dodger. I agree with you that it could turn out to be a monstrosity if not carefully thought out. Bad O: The cost would probably be exactly what it would cost to have a normal dodger made up. The same satinles steel tubing and The same sunbrella/clear plastic windows that roll up in a normal dodger. The only difference will be the hard top, which I will be able to stand on and that will help me with my mizzen sail hoisting and dropping/covering. Ed: I want a hard dodger for the reasons listed above. I use my dodger all the time except when sailing. Then, I too, like the wind in my face and an unobstructed view. We live aboard so it keeps rain out of the companionway when it is open. When in rough weather, it helps keep me dry in the winter time. Down here we sail all year 'round. If the sun is shining and it is 40 degrees outside, the dodger blocking the wind makes the trip pleasant. Also I would like a hard bimini because I would mount my instruments up high. I prefer them that way. I got used to them up high when I was a Crew Boat and Supply Boat Captain. Dont have to worry about coffee spills and food droppings. Just a preference. Paul: Thanks for the great ideas. It is certainly appreciated. Can you stand on your dodger? Tony B
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Hard Dodger = $$$

I was considering a hard dodger (Wave Stopper) like Rick D directed us to. The fellow in the SF bay area told me that they were about 50-100% more expensive than an all Sunbrella equivilant. I ended up with a very nice unit that cost me $3500 with rear & side rails, lexan windows etc.
 
sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
tcbro

I hate to be a pain in the ass, but that's part of my yankee heritage. Is there anyway that you can get me more detailed photos showing the attachment points and swing up side windows? You are over 1,000 miles from me, so I could promise you anything. This is getting real close to the look I want. Thanks Tony B
 
tcbro

tcbro

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Jun 3, 2004
375
Hunter 33.5 Middle River, MD
Tony

I have a few other pics of that dodger. I'll email some to you through your profile. That way you can view them full size. I doubt I have anything that shows how the windows swing up and out of the way but I'll ask my friend for some. You'll see a couple of pics from me today and maybe more in a day of so if my friend has any.
 
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Paul8807

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Jun 4, 2004
7
Freedom 45 Annapolis
Standing on dodger

Tony, I have not tried standing on my dodger. It would probably be OK but before I tried I would add solid struts to the forward bow to support it better. Right now I only have solid struts on the after bow. Also, the center portion of the forward windows is on zippers so it can be opened just like the original all cloth dodger. Paul
 
sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Paul

tcbro just e-mailed me a few photos of his friends dodger. I promised him ice cream and candy. The same offer goes for you too if you can find some pics to send me sometime. I'll also be your best friend. Both of yours are pretty much in line with what I have been thinking about. I had the design in my mind until tcbro mentioned the flip up side windows. The less a canvas person has to do, the less it will cost me. my e-mail addy is sailortonyb@yahoo.com. Thanks Tony B
 
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