Struggling with dodger design decisions

[SuW]

Originally Posted by CarlF

Solar panels on a bimini work great, but I don't think they work well on a dodger.

Boom, sail, and standing rigging shadows are just too much. 5% shadow coverage can knock a panel's amps down over 80%. If you want solar, put it on a pole or frame at the stern where there's little shade.

On the dodger, you'll also always be worrying that something will hit the expensive and fragile panels. And standing at the helm -- you'll be looking right over the reflective panels. The glare will be no fun.

A couple of other things to consider.

After 40 years of Sunbrella dodgers, I switched to Stramoid and like it a lot more. Dirt, milder and bird poop doesn't get down into the weave so it is much easier to keep clean. Also stretches less so the fit is better.

And for the front windows, do consider acrylic. It's so much better than Strataglass and maintenance is much less of a chore. My last Strataglass dodger was starting to get hazy after just 18 months despite following all the care instructions. Do you really need "ventilation" when the entire back of the dodger is wide open? Mine has none. How often do you zip down the windows on your current dodger? The whole thing comes off the frame in 10 minutes to store below for hurricane prep.

After a lot of research, I went with EZ2CY for the front dodger window. It's preferred in the big sportsfishing boats flying bridge enclosures in Florida where you have serious UV. It is plenty flexible to fit the curve of my dodger. Three years after installation - with six months each year in Bahamas - it's still truly as clear as glass.

Interesting take on Stamoid. I've always just done boat canvas in Sunbrella but it isn't chafe resistant and has other drawbacks - it's thick and it unravels. Fancy colours though, if that's important.

A fella in our marina painted his old Sunbrella dodger with a black rubberized finish from a local hardware store. It has actually held up quite well for a few years. It seems to have stabilized the stitches. It doesn't look bad.

We have 2x40W semiflex solar panels on our dodger (sewn into Sunbrella frames as per Sailrite's solar bimini design) and 2x50W on our bimini.
They work well, obviously not all panels are producing power to the same degree all the time - boom, sails, mast etc., but pretty good. No glare at all, fwiw.

The panels are light, robust, were relatively inexpensive, they are easily removed, never had a problem with anything hitting them. I dropped a hammer on one and it doesn't show a mark, there's a thick plastic coating on the top which is quite resilient. Maintenance is limited to dusting and wiping off bird droppings.

We are prepared to change them every few years if needed. We're still ahead as our marina started charging $350 p.a. to plug in at the dock, the panels were less than that in total (although other parts in the system also add up).

I'll look into your suggestion about acrylic windows. Thanks.

[toddster8]

There are some dodger design guidelines in the Dashew's free "Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia."
https://setsail.com/free-books/

[jen1722terry]

We agree with our friend and fellow Cape Dory 31 owner Orion Jim. Lazy jacks and a topping lift should keep your sail away from your new dodger.

With the topping lift, you can pretty much put the boom at any height you like.

Nice looking dodger. You'll love it when your pushing thru 20 knots on the nose with spray flying aft from the header seas.

Good luck.

Jenn and Terry

[Hesti]

In harbour use the topping lift to get the boom up. Done that on our last boat for years, not because of the spray hood / dodger but because of lack of height of the boom. Alternative: Pull the boom to one side - the dock side to get more privacy, the water side to encourage communication.

[Mike Banks]

A low dodger means low windage. In a cyclone that is a biggie for a permanent dodger.

Which is why some folk have removable dodgers with demountable sides that can be dismantled and taken below and stowed if one has to lie in a storm with all sails stowed and a sea anchor deployed.

If one uses a drogue over the stern with a gale from aft the beam, that is when you need a demountable dodger. Demountable does not mean insecure--it just means the nuts that holds the thing together have their own welded-on handles or over-centre heavy duty toggled cleats or clips for quick removal. They will seldom if ever be removed except for maintenance or hull painting--but if ever they have to be--it is nice to know that option is available.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Ahoy John.

Make sure you look over the following thread, as it contains a lot of comments on dodger design (mostly hard).

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ps-175159.html

Hope that helps.

[sanibel sailor]

Thanks everyone for the wisdom.
Ordered samples of both Stamoid and Sunbrella Seamark fabric.

Took frame back to boat, bunched sail above boom. Frame sitting slightly high on wood blocks.

Looks like original positioning will clear. Might abandon the hardtop idea and just go conventional. Will read suggested articles.

8” winch handle may help clearance.

[agb512]

I built my own out of first growth cedar for the supports and marine ply for the roof then epoxy glassed the whole works. I'd investigate crezon ply if I did it again. If you go this root use laminated glass as much as possible; it's so superior to plastic. Had to do a custom heat bend of plexi for one section which worked out well but my dodger is large. Looks similar to your mockup.

[SuW]

A photo of one of our dodger semi-flexible solar panels. Note: no real glare.

[SuW]

Sorry, failed to upload the images!

[sanibel sailor]

Out racing yesterday and the gooseneck broke at its mast attachment. We were able to secure it enough to continue and I made temporary repairs today, but a redesign is in order which will also allow the boom to be raised a bit. Silver lining.

[SuW]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

Out racing yesterday and the gooseneck broke at its mast attachment. We were able to secure it enough to continue and I made temporary repairs today, but a redesign is in order which will also allow the boom to be raised a bit. Silver lining.

Wow...glad you weren't injured! That could have been very dangerous.

[guyrj33]

lazy jacks and a stack pack sail cover will solve all of your issues.

[sanibel sailor]

Originally Posted by guyrj33

lazy jacks and a stack pack sail cover will solve all of your issues.

Increases cost, sail chafe and windage. Not without drawbacks.
I raised the boom and have adequate clearance of completed hardtop and panels.

[guyrj33]

Cost, you're talking about building a hardtop dodger. I don't see cost as big factor.
I installed my lazy jacks 20 years ago, NO 0 chafe to date.
The stack pack cover I sewed from a kit so the cost was for materials only.

But by all means do what suits you best, it's your boat after all.

O, I also designed and sewed my own dodger.