New Dodger Advice

[rachelmackenzie]

It looks like it's finally time to replace the dodger and sailcover on our 1995 Hunter 336. There are some things we don't like about the current dodger: many zippers for panels that we never remove (and have just broken), it comes back quite a bit and is always leaned on/stepped into, it would be great to have it reinforced where people touch it, or maybe have the bar exposed as a grab? Our boat is on a mooring in a very windy spot so we need a better sailcover design that doesn't flap as much (the current cover has a few clips to hold it together at the bottom.

I would love to hear any input people have about their canvas and suggestions. This will be the first time we have replaced canvas on a boat.

Thanks!

 

[KD3PC]

Find a reputable canvas shop, even if the price is a bit higher. You will be much happier down the road, as this is one of those things that quality is paramount for long life and good service.

A good shop will understand the why and where of your questions and can provide easy to live with solutions that look like they belong on the dodger, not some add on - just sewn on top.

I too wanted a better than three snaps on my sail cover and they made an enclosed zipper that ran the whole length of the boom, in addition to 6 or 8 grommets and sewn in tie pockets for quick covering and to hold things while you zipped. This in addition to cutouts and pockets for our dutchman system.

 

[Johnb]

Aye to above. When you pay for a good shop to custom fit it to your boat it is worth it. It is a good idea to get a sailor on the job because they are sensitive to issues around leading lines back, clearance for winches etc.

It seems every new dodger I see has grab rails along the sides and back. You can do chin ups on our rear rail. I expect the frame to last the life of the boat (barring accidents) and all of the individual panels and top can be replaced for about 1/3 the total cost of a new dodger.

 

[rachelmackenzie]

Thanks for the input and photos! The cover for the dodger is a brilliant idea to protect the plastic. We are not planning to replace the frame; I hope that won't be necessary. I have heard from a couple people who are not willing to come see the installation on the boat now--we are about an hour drive from the good canvas shops. I don't know if they could make alterations to how it snaps to the boat without seeing it on the boat?

 

[frankies56]

Hi read your post hears my story, oour was getting old and looked pretty shabby when we go the boat. talking with our sail maker he said he had 3 people available to do the job we were just trying to just copy what was on there. well 3 qoutes 3 grand, 800.00 and 1 for 1000.00 so he recomended the one for a grand. so we gave the canvas maker the old dodger and said to just copy it and give us back the old one. well it was a flop none of the old connections were even close and fit rather loose, well opon complaining we got an attitude from the canvas maker but the sail maker came out and basicly fixed the problems but I was never happy. and had the clear windows covering which the support snaps were on the bottom so after a while it began to sag and expose the windows. that was my nightmare.so what I would recomend is finding someone with a new dodger and ask who did it and forget the price as it is priceless on colder days . sorry for the rant. next time I will search longer and ask for others that have had theres done and get feed back from previous costomers. happy sailing Frank

 

[rachelmackenzie]

Thanks Frank! Yikes! That is exactly what I want to avoid. One of the big challenges is that we are about an hour from the canvas shops that service the marinas on Lake Champlain. I would really want someone to come see the current dodger when it is on the boat. Probably the sailcover too. I don't imagine we are much of an income compared to the 45' boats on the lake. I haven't contacted our local sailmaker for a recommendation but I will; they have done a significant amount of work for us and we trust them.