Hard dodger, soft dodger or pilothouse?

[DHHerndon]

The answer all depends on the type of cruising that you do. I am in my 80s and except for a few fun events, I cruise alot, but do not race. I have a restored ketch-rigged Fisher 25 motorsailer with a pilothouse. This totally protects me in rain, cold, snow, etc. No temporary shelter could do this. I do not understand why many sailors want to rough it out in nasty weather, but everyone to his own.
Dave Herndon, 100 ton masters license, power, sail, and towing with 75 years sailing experience.

[shimari]

Originally Posted by Breaking Waves

...
Here you can see the 'dutch' watertight door inside our dodger (the bottom half of the door closes independently of the top half, so in weather where water is breaking over the boat you can close the bottom half and block off the companionway above the seat/transom level which still getting in and out and keeping air flow and communication going) - I like much better than washboards.

Was that door standard on your boat? If not, please tell me where you purchased it. I love it!

I should I'm in the dodger down category unless the weather warrants it raised.

[rexposeidon]

My thanks to everyone who has replied!

I especially appreciate those who have me your reasons for each.

Wingsail, those are some incredible pictures!

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by shimari

Was that door standard on your boat? If not, please tell me where you purchased it. I love it!

was a reasonably common watertight commercial fishing/workboat door - from https://www.advantecglobal.com/marin...a-glaze/doors/.

you can get similar from several commercial suppliers - like https://www.advantecglobal.com/marin...-marine/doors/ . . . . but the Diamond-Sea one had some nice small features.

My wife and I built this boat up from a bare hull, so there was nothing 'standard'. I really like companionway doors so much better than drop boards, never understood why they were not more common on pleasure boats.