strongly considering buying a 2006 Hunter 36 - one thing missing on the boat is a dodger. Anyone have any frame of reference on approximate cost for a dodger? the boat has an existing bimini.
New Dodger
- Thread starter George Braun
- Start date
When I got quotes for a dodger on my former boat, I was totally taken aback. I said: "This is a 27 foot sailboat, not the Queen Mary." They wanted $6000! Needless to say, I decided to forgo a dodger. You would probably be better off finding a boat that already has one. That's what I did.
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I would guestimate $3 to $4K including frame, dodger, & connector. If you want covers for the vinyl windows, likely a bit more. Of course, in this post Covid world, could be more expensive with a long wait. I had mine reskinned & added a connector between bimini and dodger a few years ago and the cost was $2K.
When considering a new dodger, I would advise going for a heavy tube construction, with a grab handle on the outside. It will be more expensive, but the safety the grab handle affords is priceless.
Also consider a rear hand rail. Something to hang from on those long straight runs.
All in on my custom made dodger in 2018 came to almost $3400. I had quotes as high as
5k, but I found an independent craftsman who works the so cal area out of oceanside. I got the best canvas, stainless frame, composite trim (not leather), isinglass (not vinyl), window cover, removable side panels, opening center section, welded rear hand rail, and bolt on side rails.... in other words... top of the line. A really great addition to my boating experience.
Walk around your marina and inspect dodgers you like. Look for the builder's badge, you might get lucky and find a local name and number. Give them a call, see what's up. Ask about thread quality, canvas, types of glass inserts they offer, frame quality, that kind of stuff.
I discourage you from ordering online for project like this. There is one company, I think it's called Island Nautical Canvass.... the prices are pretty low... but the quality is way way inferior and.... you have to do all the measuring and fitting. That's impossible...it's just not worth the thousand bucks you think you're saving. Good luck.
5k, but I found an independent craftsman who works the so cal area out of oceanside. I got the best canvas, stainless frame, composite trim (not leather), isinglass (not vinyl), window cover, removable side panels, opening center section, welded rear hand rail, and bolt on side rails.... in other words... top of the line. A really great addition to my boating experience.
Walk around your marina and inspect dodgers you like. Look for the builder's badge, you might get lucky and find a local name and number. Give them a call, see what's up. Ask about thread quality, canvas, types of glass inserts they offer, frame quality, that kind of stuff.
I discourage you from ordering online for project like this. There is one company, I think it's called Island Nautical Canvass.... the prices are pretty low... but the quality is way way inferior and.... you have to do all the measuring and fitting. That's impossible...it's just not worth the thousand bucks you think you're saving. Good luck.
Beware of the screws that hold the dodger to the deck. Most installations have simple screw threads in drilled holes that will leak and rot your core. Also suggest waiting until you have sailed your boat to determine just how helpful a dodger will be to you. Some boats suffer from water splashing over the bow and into the cockpit and these may need a dodger. Others may not have that problem. Some boats have a companionway opening that is slanted back so as to admit rain into the cabin. Others have a vertical companionway entrance that lets little rain in with just the slider closed. Some of us sail in waters polluted with lobster traps and need a clear view of these obstructions that a dodger may not provide. Your boat, your choice, your $5,000.
Installed a hard top dodger on my Hunter 386 in 2011 for $5000. Installed a dodger on my Hunter 46 in 2019 for $8000. Both used an existing frame and included TUFFAK (formerly Makrolon) Marine 5 polycarbonate windows. Suggest contacting your local canvas shop(s) for a quote. These guys have a cost estimator tool you can use to obtain the cost of a dodger: Cost Estimator (marinercanvas.com). Consider a removable transition section between the bimini and dodger to provide full cockpit shade.
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my inclosure with frame was about $2800 about four years ago so 3k-4k today’s prices. As someone mentioned previously about the mounting screws into the gel cote, if I were to install my dodger again I would have glued small wood or star board blocks to the deck with 5200 to be used as anchor points for the frame hardware to be screwed into. My screws are constantly being pulled out and having to be replaced and sealed. I don’t know why they don’t install blocks initially. To me this makes total sense. No holes, no leaks, and if ever you need to replace the blocks would be pretty easy.
I realize this is a somewhat old thread however my dodger and Bimini are at the end of their life and I’m considering building a hard dodger. I’d appreciate any of your thoughts, ideas, or experience with a hard dodger vs just replacing the soft one