As I sail "down South", biminis are required but dodgers are optional.
If I were to have a dodger, I would probably consider what is called,
around here at least, the "California" dodger. These are made so that
all of the canvas, including the windows, can be detatched and removed
from the dodger leaving only the canvas covering the top of the dodger
in place. It then covers the top of the companionway, but is
otherwise open to allow the breeze to pass fore and aft. No
protection from spray and wind when the dodger is opened up like that,
but it prevents overheating on warm days and allows the dodger frame
to stay in place, while being unobtrusive. Often it is not all that
difficult to convert a traditional dodger to this style of dodger. It
would be nice to have, even down here, to extend the season or at
least improve the comfort of the season. How often do you get hot up
North, anyway?



On 27 Jan 2004 12:28:47 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Well, here we go again.

Once again I'm wondering if I should add a dodger to my boat. This season we'll
have a few kids aboard as well as some elderly folk and then there are a few
cruises, one of which will be made with a friend who will be 5 months pregnant
at that time.
It seems that a dodger, which will connect to a never used awning that came
with the boat, would be of use. A few friends seem to think that a dodger heats
up the interior of a boat. does that make sense? It seems it would catch more
air and keep the sun out of the companionway. A local canvas maker has a C&C 32
dodger that was never picked up and I can have it for 650 installed with a SS
frame...plus tax. It's a good dodger...

Comments?


RB