Repairs to dodger

[dmksails]

My dodger needs work - a few of the zippers have opened up and the snaps are very difficult to use.

Any suggestions for how to proceed with repairing these issues?

[jstevens]

You can lubricate the zipper teeth and try to force the slider back to re-engage the teeth, but might as well just replace the zippers as they are inexpensive. Sounds like you have little or no sewing or canvas repair experience. In which case I would turn the job over to your local canvas maker. Of course this might be a good time to acquire some canvas skills. Start by looking at some of the videos and articles on the SailRite web site.

John

[model 10]

Get new sliders & then something to loosen the corrosion in the female snap, ring. Good time to get any re-stiching done too.

[JPA Cate]

dmk,

Usually, it is UV that degrades the teeth on the zip. The pulls are cheap, try one, if the zip still pops open, it needs to be replaced. Snaps can be lubricated, with Vaseline, after cleaning the gunk out.

HOWEVER, dodgers made from Marine Hooding (heavy duty PVC with a cloth back) have a life span, and as the plasticizers evaporate, it shrinks. If it has shrunk, it will be very hard to snap it down, it won't want to stretch at all. If that is your situation, it is time to consider another dodger.

It depends on whether you want to add learning to sew to your bag of tricks whether you want to attempt a dodger. If you might, then follow the suggestion to look at the SailRite site. Incidentally, SailRite have a good customer service reputation, but I think you might find another walking foot sewing machine will do you just as well, for less, but avoid the cheap Chinese copies..

Ann

on Edit: If you decide to have a new dodger made, be sure to specify that all zippers have flaps over them to protect the teeth. We did this with our last dodger, also specifying ptfe thread, and have been very glad we did.