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We are venturing out on our first cruise at the end of this year. San Diego to Annapolis VIA Panama Canal BVI. I am considering a hard dodger, but am probably going to do the work myself due to quality craftsmanship, and design. Any pics and instructions explaining your process would be a real help. I truely believe there is a growing interest in hard dodger design and home fabrication. You’d surely get internet traffic if you posted your process. Thanks in advance. Darrell
Hi Darrell,
I guess I feel like Lane and Kaye have already given some pretty good information on how to build a dodger in this post. That is probably about as far as we or them can go for free. (Internet traffic does not put food on the table.)
I would recommend that if you want a detailed design as well as specification for the materials that you contact Ed Joy. Not only will you learn how to build the dodger from him, you will also get a dodger that fits the lines of your boat and enhances her resale value.
I built a hard dodger for Jenain, my steel Ebbtide 36, a few years ago. I used commercial Hexacor g.r.p panels, which are cored with cored with pvc honey comb, 10mm tempered glass for the fixed windows and 12mm polycarbonate for the opening window. I built it using the stitch and glue technique and West Epoxy. In my case, it has to be removable as I could otherwise not remove the engine. This was an easy project, finished in two weeks, and very strong, good looking and practical. Off course in hind sight, it could be improved on, by moulding in wire conduits for example, but overall I am very happy with it. It provides great protection, is light, and compliments the boat’s lines. I have a lot of photos if anyone is interested.
Hi Bill,
That sounds like a great way to build a hard dodger and much easier than building a mold. Thanks for sharing your experence. Also, really good point about the importance of being able to remove the dodger to get the engine out of most sailboats.
I know what you mean about hindsight improvements, I made exactly the same omission!
hey bill i would be interested in some pictures of your dodger. i have a goderich 37 ‘ steel hull (libro vent), and i need to get her ready for travel.
thanks
jonathan miller
hey bill i would like to see some pictures of your dodger. i have a 37′ steel hull (libro vent). i need to get her ready for travel.
thanks
jonathan
If it ever stops snowing, I am going to replace my Sunbrella covered dodger and bimini with something rigid. I would love to see some detail pics of your stitch and glue technique with the Hexicore also how you deal with the edges. Sounds like the best way to go.
Hi Jonothan, send me your email address, and I will send you the photos. My email address is .
Bill Robinson.
I too would appreciate pictures. Here in Alaska my Formosa 46 could use a hard cover for snow and cold protection. If available, please send pics to:
Thanks, Clay
Would you send me some picture as well?
I’d like to make one for my pocket cruiser S2 9.2c
sounds like a good way to go.
Captain Den
If I had your email address, I could send you the info!
Hi Bill.
Would you be kind enought to send me some pictures of your hard dodger.
My email is:
With thanks in advance,
Bill Attwood
Bill, please send pics of your dodger. Thank you.
Hi Bill,
Please send pics of your dodger
Thank you,
Ed Rudetsky
Hello bill,
Could you please send me your dodger pictures?
Clive @ earrame.net
Thanks in advance.
Hello Bill,
Another request for dodger pictures! Would love to build one for my Niagara 35.
Thanks in advance for sharing the photos.
Regards,
Barry
Hi Barry,
This is a very old post and thread. Also since this is not a forum, but rather comments to post in WordPress, Bill is not being informed of your request, so I don’t think this is going to work for you.
I am building a hard dodger for an O’Day 35, I want to move the traveler from the deck forward of the companionway to the aft end of the dodger–out of the way. The main arch at the very rear which will be the load bearing part, has a base (entire top ) of 1/2″ cell modulus (NICORE) with one layer of fiberglass matting on the bottom and three on top, laminated. In addition, across the top inside will be two beams two feet apart and 65″ wide made of six 2″ strips of 1/4″ plywood laminated into a curve with an apogee of 6″. On the sides in the area of the traveler there will be a 1/2″ aluminum plate bolted to the side just above the deck with a straight piece of the laminated plywood connecting to the top beam with bolts, a 10″ x 10″ gusset and a aluminum “T” bar where the “T” is 1 full inch as is the cross part. This will be screwed to the wood piece and then the outer part. will accept the side structure on top of the aluminum plate and inserted into the notch in the aluminum upright that is connected to the wood upright. The sides will be a layer of fiberglass with under a 1/2 ” piece of Nicor and two or more layers of fiberglass inside. I’m going to make a deck casting out of fiberglass to mount the sides in and the whole thing will be smoothed and faired with more fiberglass, resin, etc. the casting will ne bolted to the deck. I don’t need to go further since the question is: Do you think this construction will be sufficient to handle the load of the traveler and it’s sheet?
Denny
Hi Denny,
I started to answer this, but it got long and ended up being an article. Look for it in a week or so.
Hello Denny
It’s not clear to me whether the hard dodger will be removable. Regardless, if ever you plan to move the boat via road, a non-removable dodger may not meet height restrictions. I recently had to remove an arch and all stanchions when transporting my Niagara 35.
Barry