We've set about getting the C&C 32 a new dodger. None of my other boats had
dodgers, so I know little about them. I see many owners leaving their dodgers
up all season. Is this a safe practice? How long will they last? Is it better
to put it away for weeks at a time....how many people here leave theirs up all
season?


Thanks,

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
We've set about getting the C&C 32 a new dodger. None of my other boats
had
dodgers, so I know little about them. I see many owners leaving their
dodgers
up all season. Is this a safe practice? How long will they last? Is it
better
to put it away for weeks at a time....how many people here leave theirs up
all
season?


I don't think that it makes a great deal of difference.

I tend to leave mine down while I am sailing. When we tie up, we put up the
dodger(uk = "sprayhood").


Regards


Donal
--

There's a couple of ways to make them last longer. One is to protect them
from the sun the same way you protect sails. Put a tarp or somthing over
everything. The other is to get a frame with rear and side grab rails. Most
of the dodger wear I see is where hands are constantly holding.

M.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
We've set about getting the C&C 32 a new dodger. None of my other boats
had
dodgers, so I know little about them. I see many owners leaving their
dodgers
up all season. Is this a safe practice? How long will they last? Is it
better
to put it away for weeks at a time....how many people here leave theirs up
all
season?


Thanks,

RB

On 12 Feb 2004 13:51:18 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

We've set about getting the C&C 32 a new dodger. None of my other boats had
dodgers, so I know little about them. I see many owners leaving their dodgers
up all season. Is this a safe practice? How long will they last? Is it better
to put it away for weeks at a time....how many people here leave theirs up all
season?


Thanks,

RB

When you say "all season", do you mean all the sailing season or year
round? I am assuming you mean during the sailing season. As I don't
live in the frozen North, the idea of hauling boats and all that sort
of thing is foreign to me.

I think the only parts of the dodger that would be of concern are the
transparent windows. Most people down here where UV is a bigger
problem have sunbrella covers that protect the windows. That is
something to think about. As far as the sunbrella is concerned, I
think it holds up quite well to just about anything unless you have
one of the "bad" colors, like red, that seems to have a much shorter
lifespan. Look around and see what others are doing, but I would
leave the dodger up and the windows covered.