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03-07-2011, 05:21
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Western KY
Boat: Morgan 321, BELIEVE
Posts: 203
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Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger - Pros / Cons
The admiral and I are considering installing a dodger on our Morgan 321. While she thinks it should be a soft (frame / cloth) installation I favor a hard (fiberglass w/ core) to support my weight when I need t attend to the sail or other business at the end of the boom. Having had experience with neither we would appreciate info from those who have.
Thanks- Duke
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03-07-2011, 15:11
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Boat: 15 foot Canoe
Posts: 14,191
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
I prefer the soft unless you are off shore in cold climates a lot. There are many advantages to a soft one including the ability to get it out of the way when making a tricky landing or tending the sail on the boom. Getting up on top the dodger was always a bit of a gymnist thing to do for a tween (between 65 and 70) so I like the ability to just fold the soft dodger out of the way and stand on the cockpit seats to take care of the boom.
Advantage of the hard dodger is that you can mount things permanently on it. Solar panels for example.
kind regards,
__________________
John
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03-07-2011, 15:20
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 250
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duke 48
The admiral and I are considering installing a dodger on our Morgan 321. While she thinks it should be a soft (frame / cloth) installation I favor a hard (fiberglass w/ core) to support my weight when I need t attend to the sail or other business at the end of the boom. Having had experience with neither we would appreciate info from those who have.
Thanks- Duke
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If you've never had a dodger before, you're gonna love either one - a big improvement in overall comfort in any kind of weather.
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03-07-2011, 16:46
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,134
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
I'd go with a hard dodger and put some solar panels on it too. Go with a soft dodger if you want to race and also keep giving money to the sail lofts to repair or replace them every few years.
__________________
Mike
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03-07-2011, 16:53
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lived aboard & cruised for 45 years,- now on a chair in my walk-in closet.
Boat: Morgan OI 413 1973 - Aythya
Posts: 8,453
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
We've had a soft bimini for 27 years after 13 years spent with no more protection than hats and sunsceen. Much depends on your reach and configuration. I have no difficulty managing tasks on my boom with the soft cover, but then I have mounted items on my mizzen and dinghy davit. I have only removed the dodger to alleviate windage for hurricanes or to facilitate the exchange of a propulsion engine or generator. If your design really requires a hard top for mounting and boom access, then it could be worthwhile, but not for me. I think the boat will dictate the need.
__________________
Take care and joy, Aythya crew
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03-07-2011, 17:14
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Whangaparaoa,NZ
Boat: 63 ft John Spencer Schooner
Posts: 956
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbianka
I'd go with a hard dodger and put some solar panels on it too. Go with a soft dodger if you want to race and also keep giving money to the sail lofts to repair or replace them every few years.
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Agree, canvas work in the US is very expensive, build a decent hard one, then paint it occasionally.
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03-07-2011, 19:09
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
I have always made my own (pictures attached). The big advantage I found was I stopped falling into the open hatch of the companionway...But then again...you're in pretty good shape 99% of the way to the sole...
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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03-07-2011, 19:16
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kingston, ON
Boat: Albin Vega 27'
Posts: 530
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
I have to vote for the soft one. But it really would depend on the boat. A hard one is just too permanent so you really have to get it right, it could be unaesthetic, in your way or affect resale value. Also once you have the SS frame you could have a several soft covers made for what a hard one would cost you. Just my $.02s.
Glenn
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03-07-2011, 19:28
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
Quote:
Originally Posted by glenn.225
I have to vote for the soft one. But it really would depend on the boat. A hard one is just too permanent so you really have to get it right, it could be unaesthetic, in your way or affect resale value. Also once you have the SS frame you could have a several soft covers made for what a hard one would cost you. Just my $.02s.
Glenn
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I will admit if you're not handy at FG work the cost is more to have a hard dodger made. However I have made all three of those dodgers for under $400 each not including solar panels. As far as resale...if it's an offshore vessel someone is looking for, then by far they would select a hard dodger. But hey...I could be wrong
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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04-07-2011, 01:37
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Western KY
Boat: Morgan 321, BELIEVE
Posts: 203
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
Thanks for the feedback. We especially appreciate the photos. With the current configuration on BELIEVE we only have about 18" between coach roof / deck and the boom. Also, the boom is end sheeted with the traveler mounted on the bridge deck. If anyone has a dodger mounted with a similar arrangement a picture would help us visualize what BELIEVE could look like.
Thanks - Duke (& Princess-di)
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04-07-2011, 04:28
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Western KY
Boat: Morgan 321, BELIEVE
Posts: 203
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
JuanJo
The pictures are a great help
Thanks
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04-07-2011, 04:59
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#13
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Eternal Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Las Brisas Panama AGAIN!
Boat: Simpson, Catamaran, 46ft. IMAGINE
Posts: 4,507
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
If you build a hard dodger. Put in some rain gutters that can be hand grips also. Then you have a water catchment system too. I was surprised at how much rain can be caught in a small area......... i2f
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04-07-2011, 05:19
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#14
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running down a dream
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Boat: cape dory 30 MKII
Posts: 3,105
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
actually the pros recommend you put the solar panels aft of the boom .. a hard top bimini would be better for that.
__________________
some of the best times of my life were spent on a boat. it just took a long time to realize it.
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04-07-2011, 05:28
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Diego
Boat: J40 #33 since 1987
Posts: 228
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Re: Soft Dodger or Hard Dodger: Pros / Cons
I have had a Wavestopper hard dodger for 11 years now and am still very pleased with it. Fiberglass top, 1 1/2" SS bows, lexan windows, Stamoid fabric, and it all unzips/disassembles as necessary. You can stand on it to work on the boom, but I have mounted solar panels on the rails for more deployment flexibility.
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