Dodger...Over and out....
 

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

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Bobsprit wrote:

It seems it would catch more
air

Well, maybe if you anchor stern to wind, a bit odd,
but what the hell?

Of course if you are slip bound, you may be able to warp
the boat to be stern to wind. ;-o

Cheers
Marty

Dodger...Over and out....
 

The Dodger is a good idea! It will offer a wind break when going to weather
and a place to scootch under when the weather turns bad. When it's hot you
simply undo a few snaps and drop it like a convertible. The only bad point
is it develops a color scheme to the vessel. Your sail cover should match
your dodger.

I would also recommend covers for your cockpit life lines..... it really
adds quite a bit of privacy aboard when underway!

CM




"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| 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

Dodger...Over and out....
 

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

Dodger...Over and out....
 

How often do you get hot up
North, anyway?:)

We get about six weeks of horrible mid to high 90's at times...

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 15:03:54 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

How often do you get hot up
North, anyway?:)

We get about six weeks of horrible mid to high 90's at times...

RB

Mid 90s? We call that October:) I can't imagine that a dodger would
make life aboard a boat uncomfortable, on balance, up there where you
are. When I have sailed in Maine, they were most appreciated:) I
would jump on that deal if the workmanship is any good. As someone
suggested, your boat will look a bit "odd" if the canvas color of the
dodger doesn't match the rest of your canvas. If you have to start
replacing all that, the savings will disappear. Well, depending on
how much you have. I have a mainsail cover, bimini, wheel cover,
companionway cover and grabrail covers.

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"felton" wrote in message

I have a mainsail cover, bimini, wheel cover,
| companionway cover and grabrail covers.

Kind of "finishes off" a boat dosen't it. I really like my lifeline covers
and the companionway cover with the lead shot sewn into the base is a
godsend. I draw the line at winch covers though... but I will admit the
tiller cover was a good idea until I made the tiller quickly removable and
now stow it down below.

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:29:49 -0400, "Capt. Mooron"
wrote:


"felton" wrote in message

I have a mainsail cover, bimini, wheel cover,
| companionway cover and grabrail covers.

Kind of "finishes off" a boat dosen't it. I really like my lifeline covers
and the companionway cover with the lead shot sewn into the base is a
godsend. I draw the line at winch covers though... but I will admit the
tiller cover was a good idea until I made the tiller quickly removable and
now stow it down below.

CM

Yes it does:) I forgot to mention my hatch covers. Those things
really make a difference in keeping the boat from becoming a solar
collector during the summer months. Sunbrella is a godsend down here
in the land of skin cancer:)

Dodger...Over and out....
 

but I will admit the
tiller cover was a good idea until I made the tiller quickly removable and
now stow it down below.

For those who can't afford a wheel!

Tiller??? Bwahahahaha!

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Yes it does:) I forgot to mention my hatch covers.

Anyone got a good pic of those hatch covers...don't see them here often at
all..

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| but I will admit the
| tiller cover was a good idea until I made the tiller quickly removable and
| now stow it down below.
|
| For those who can't afford a wheel!
|
| Tiller??? Bwahahahaha!

Good Grief Bob..... it's a much superior system to a wheel. Less moving
parts, better "feel" and as is the case with mine being a stern hung
tiller... it's the choice of those in the know about sailing.

I wouldn't have a wheel unless the boat was 40 ft of bigger.

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Yes it does:) I forgot to mention my hatch covers.
|
| Anyone got a good pic of those hatch covers...don't see them here often at
| all..

Some just snap on to the outside of the hatches/ports... some like mine snap
to the inside of the ports/hatches. It's just a sunbrella cover cut &
stitched to fit.

Maybe you can use your grinder to make some up for Alien??
Bwahahahahahahahahaaa!!

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 14:11:01 -0400, "Capt. Mooron"
wrote:


"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| but I will admit the
| tiller cover was a good idea until I made the tiller quickly removable and
| now stow it down below.
|
| For those who can't afford a wheel!
|
| Tiller??? Bwahahahaha!

Good Grief Bob..... it's a much superior system to a wheel. Less moving
parts, better "feel" and as is the case with mine being a stern hung
tiller... it's the choice of those in the know about sailing.

I wouldn't have a wheel unless the boat was 40 ft of bigger.

CM

All that is true and undisputed, however, do you have an emergency
wheel in the event of a tiller failure?:) The only drawback I can see
for most tiller arrangements is that they can eat up a lot of real
estate in the cockpit. Otherwise, they are better. What sort of boat
is it?

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Good Grief Bob..... it's a much superior system to a wheel.


Yeah, that's why almost every top-notch builder uses wheels! Tillers are for
boats under 29 feet and other toys!

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Some just snap on to the outside of the hatches/ports... some like mine snap
to the inside of the ports/hatches. It's just a sunbrella cover cut &
stitched to fit.

Do you have a pic? Is yours a pressure fit with elastic corners, or did you
drill the hatch for the snaps?

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 14:13:36 -0400, "Capt. Mooron"
wrote:


"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Yes it does:) I forgot to mention my hatch covers.
|
| Anyone got a good pic of those hatch covers...don't see them here often at
| all..

Some just snap on to the outside of the hatches/ports... some like mine snap
to the inside of the ports/hatches. It's just a sunbrella cover cut &
stitched to fit.

Mine have a fairly tight sewn in elastic piece around the edges that
stretches and hooks under the lip of the hatch. The top is either
"quilted" or not. Mine are, which contains some sort of insulating
material. As I didn't make them, I can't be more specific about how
they are made. Obviously they are only on the hatches when I am not
aboard the boat. They aren't in use when I am sailing. They seem
well secured when they are in place and I have no real concern that
they will blow off when I am away. These are on my overhead Bomar
hatches. On my portlights, I have done what most folks around here
do. I have purchased some of the automobile sunscreens from Walmart
for about $5, and cut out pieces in the size and shape of my
portlights. Wedge them into place when I leave the boat. You can get
fancy and cover one side with sunbrella to match the interior or not.
Depends on access to sewing skills:)


Maybe you can use your grinder to make some up for Alien??
Bwahahahahahahahahaaa!!

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"felton" wrote in message

| All that is true and undisputed, however, do you have an emergency
| wheel in the event of a tiller failure?:) The only drawback I can see
| for most tiller arrangements is that they can eat up a lot of real
| estate in the cockpit. Otherwise, they are better. What sort of boat
| is it?


Nordica 30

http://community.webshots.com/user/overproof

http://www.nordicaboats.com/index.html

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Mine have a fairly tight sewn in elastic piece around the edges that
stretches and hooks under the lip of the hatch.

Thanks...should be worth doing. You say this cuts down on interior heat by a
good margin?

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 18:30:36 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Some just snap on to the outside of the hatches/ports... some like mine snap
to the inside of the ports/hatches. It's just a sunbrella cover cut &
stitched to fit.

Do you have a pic? Is yours a pressure fit with elastic corners, or did you
drill the hatch for the snaps?

RB

Bob...what size forward hatch do you have? One thing I had on my last
boat, a C&C 33 was something that they make for the Valiants that are
a little different from what we are talking about here. It was a
padded piece of fabric just larger than the inside dimensions of the
hatch. Inside this fabric "frame" was sewn mosquito netting. This
piece was designed to "snap" into place, from the inside of course, to
provide mosquito netting. In addition, it came with a hemmed piece of
white fabric the same size as the netting that could be laid between
the netting and the hatch (when the hatch is closed) to keep the sun
from hitting you in the eyes in the early morning:)

This isn't the same thing as the heat/uv covers that I have on my
current boat which go on the outside of the hatch. It may be of
interest if you don't otherwise have mosquito netting or like to sleep
late:)

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 14:37:48 -0400, "Capt. Mooron"
wrote:


"felton" wrote in message

| All that is true and undisputed, however, do you have an emergency
| wheel in the event of a tiller failure?:) The only drawback I can see
| for most tiller arrangements is that they can eat up a lot of real
| estate in the cockpit. Otherwise, they are better. What sort of boat
| is it?


Nordica 30

http://community.webshots.com/user/overproof

http://www.nordicaboats.com/index.html

CM

Very nice:)

Dodger...Over and out....
 

This isn't the same thing as the heat/uv covers that I have on my
current boat which go on the outside of the hatch. It may be of
interest if you don't otherwise have mosquito netting or like to sleep
late:)

I don't recall the exact dimensions of the forward hatch. The C&C 32 has a good
sized forward hatch, and small opening hatches over the head and main cabin.
All have the bug nets which velcro into place.

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Some just snap on to the outside of the hatches/ports... some like mine
snap
| to the inside of the ports/hatches. It's just a sunbrella cover cut &
| stitched to fit.
|
| Do you have a pic? Is yours a pressure fit with elastic corners, or did
you
| drill the hatch for the snaps?

No pic.... and you don't drill the hatch. Just mount the fasteners
alongside. The outside ones I've seen have elastic edges sewn in.

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 18:40:03 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Mine have a fairly tight sewn in elastic piece around the edges that
stretches and hooks under the lip of the hatch.

Thanks...should be worth doing. You say this cuts down on interior heat by a
good margin?

RB

I think they do, especially the forward hatch over the V berth. It is
pretty good sized relative to the smaller hatch in the main cabin and
is not "shaded" by the mainsail, as is the smaller hatch. If you are
really interested in cutting down the heat, the simplest way is to buy
the cheap automobile sunscreens from your nearest Walmart, which are
nothing more than the foil cover bubble insulation. Cut them to fit
your hatches and ports and wedge them into place when you leave the
boat.

My last boat, the C&C 33 was that dove gray color, hull and deck and
for some reason that boat was an oven down below. I don't know why,
but it was far hotter than other boats. Whether it was air
circulation, deck color or insulation, I can't say.

Dodger...Over and out....
 

I'm sure you can get one for $10 at the local wal-mart.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
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

Dodger...Over and out....
 

You are truly the king of idiots. YOU WIN!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
but I will admit the
tiller cover was a good idea until I made the tiller quickly removable and
now stow it down below.

For those who can't afford a wheel!

Tiller??? Bwahahahaha!

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 18:40:03 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Mine have a fairly tight sewn in elastic piece around the edges that
stretches and hooks under the lip of the hatch.

Thanks...should be worth doing. You say this cuts down on interior heat by a
good margin?

RB

Are you primarily concerned with heat build up when the boat is closed
up at the dock? What sort of "passive" air circulation do you have?
Do you have any of the Nicro solar vents or dorades to circulate air?
Is your companionway sliding cover solid or lexan?

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Cut them to fit
your hatches and ports and wedge them into place when you leave the
boat.

Seems like something I could leave in place most of the time. Great
tips...thanks!

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"felton" wrote in message

| Very nice:)

Thanks...

CM

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 19:30:43 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Cut them to fit
your hatches and ports and wedge them into place when you leave the
boat.

Seems like something I could leave in place most of the time. Great
tips...thanks!

RB

The Catalina folks make a very similar solar hatch cover that may
explain it better than I did, if you want to go the "fancy" route. It
isn't really necessary, but I did cover my main cabin portlights with
white sunbrella on one side with some scrap sunbrella I picked up at a
sailing flea market. Looks much better, but probably doesn't work any
better.

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detai...o=20&group=188

Dodger...Over and out....
 

He knows, but he's too embarrassed to tell you... last time he tried
to measure it, he got stuck and the memory is too painful.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
This isn't the same thing as the heat/uv covers that I have on my
current boat which go on the outside of the hatch. It may be of
interest if you don't otherwise have mosquito netting or like to sleep
late:)

I don't recall the exact dimensions of the forward hatch. The C&C 32 has a
good
sized forward hatch, and small opening hatches over the head and main
cabin.
All have the bug nets which velcro into place.

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Are you primarily concerned with heat build up when the boat is closed
up at the dock? What sort of "passive" air circulation do you have?
Do you have any of the Nicro solar vents or dorades to circulate air?
Is your companionway sliding cover solid or lexan?

I currently don't have a solar vent or dorades. I may add them this season. The
sliding cover is lexan.

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 21:19:22 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Are you primarily concerned with heat build up when the boat is closed
up at the dock? What sort of "passive" air circulation do you have?
Do you have any of the Nicro solar vents or dorades to circulate air?
Is your companionway sliding cover solid or lexan?

I currently don't have a solar vent or dorades. I may add them this season. The
sliding cover is lexan.

RB

Ouch. I'll bet your boat does collect heat. Those "day/night" solar
vents are actually quite helpful at moving and circulating air. I
have had those on previous boats and thought they were great. The
only issue is where to place them. I see more of them installed in
hatches than anywhere else. The only downside to this is worrying
about "drips" over the vberth while sleeping:) I didn't find that
mine was prone to dripping, but it is something to think about.
Besides, if you cover your hatches to keep the heat and uv out, a
hatch installation wouldn't work all that well. My current boat has
an ample number of dorades/cowl vents, so I am in good shape in that
area.

I would try to attack both fronts. Add some passive ventilation and
try and cover/insulate your ports and hatches. Your companionway
slide is a *big* source of your heat, I would bet. Mine is also
lexan, but I have a companionway cover that covers the whole thing.
It snaps in a couple of places along the cabin top and then hangs,
with weight, to cover the drop boards. That keeps the sun from
beaming down into the cabin.

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Bob,

Add some nicrovents. At the very least, one in the forward hatch and maybe one
in the small hatch over the head. They make a HUGE difference in comfort.

Yup...I'll hit BoatUS as soon as some new coupons show up! I'd like to put a
dorade or two in...but I'm already doing a lot this spring. Have to see what I
have time for.

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

I see more of them installed in
hatches than anywhere else. The only downside to this is worrying
about "drips" over the vberth while sleeping:)

I'll probably install in the hatch. I've never cut into a hatch before...it's
original and is crackled with age. Maybe I'll be forced into a new hatch when I
try to cut...?

RB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

On 27 Jan 2004 22:43:56 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

I see more of them installed in
hatches than anywhere else. The only downside to this is worrying
about "drips" over the vberth while sleeping:)

I'll probably install in the hatch. I've never cut into a hatch before...it's
original and is crackled with age. Maybe I'll be forced into a new hatch when I
try to cut...?

RB

I doubt you will have a problem. When I installed one years ago, I
was able to use a jigsaw to cut the hole. I believe there is a hole
saw that is the proper size for this task, though, that would make for
a much better cut and easier job. Nicro used to make these available
on a loan basis, but things may have changed. If your yard has one,
perhaps you could borrow it or just bite the bullet and pay them to
drill the hole with theirs. The hole saw would be the way to go.

Dodger...Over and out....
 

You get 2 fan blades with the Nicro. Use the exhaust. They are far
more effective in exhaust mode.

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 22:33:46 GMT, wrote:

On 27 Jan 2004 21:19:22 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

Are you primarily concerned with heat build up when the boat is closed
up at the dock? What sort of "passive" air circulation do you have?
Do you have any of the Nicro solar vents or dorades to circulate air?
Is your companionway sliding cover solid or lexan?

I currently don't have a solar vent or dorades. I may add them this season. The
sliding cover is lexan.

RB

Bob,

Add some nicrovents. At the very least, one in the forward hatch and maybe one
in the small hatch over the head. They make a HUGE difference in comfort.

BB

Dodger...Over and out....
 

Mooron explained:=20
It will offer a wind break when going to weather
and a place to scootch under when the weather turns bad

Wussy....
--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Dodger...Over and out....
 

You can grind out those cracks with a good professional grade grinder.


"Bobsprit" wrote

I'll probably install in the hatch. I've never cut into a hatch
before...it's
original and is crackled with age.

Dodger...Over and out....
 

what a POS.

"Bobsprit" wrote

I currently don't have a solar vent or dorades.

Dodger...Over and out....
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Bob,
|
| Add some nicrovents. At the very least, one in the forward hatch and maybe
one
| in the small hatch over the head. They make a HUGE difference in
comfort.
|
| Yup...I'll hit BoatUS as soon as some new coupons show up! I'd like to put
a
| dorade or two in...but I'm already doing a lot this spring. Have to see
what I
| have time for.

Translation:

Good Dog Bill .... Good Boy.... Atta-Boy!

CM