Hard Dodger (Sprayhood) Illustrated Guide - Examples, Tips

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

SU--while I'm sure that dodger is functional and well made, its window design is uninspired.

I agree.
Not the most stylish.
I would prefer a few opening.

Notice the small hatches on top, the traveler on top, etc.

Each hard dodger I see is a compromise. But good to look at many to see what works, or appeals.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Steadman Uhlich

2011 Bestevaer 45ST

I like the winch arrangement, coaming, etc.

Maybe for lounging around. For me that would be a back and knee killer. Maybe if they were power winches.

Here's my set up........... the seats are removable.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Maybe for lounging around. For me that would be a back and knee killer. Maybe if they were power winches.

Here's my set up........... the seats are removable.

Your photo is interesting to me. Please post a photo showing the seats in place.
_________

What follows is written in a friendly tone of voice.

Every boat and every cockpit is a compromise.

Also, as I recall, the Choate 40 was designed for racing, so the cockpit design could be optimized for a standing pit crew and used for a few hours of racing.

I don't recall what particular modifications you may have made to your cockpit, though I did enjoy reading much of your refit blog about three or four years ago.
_____________

It is OK if we see things differently. Sharing our different views or opinions is helpful.

I like the Bestevaer cockpit as shown. It has some features I like for cruising:
1. Long enough seats that one can sleep on or lounge on if desired.
2. Locking cockpit lockers under the seats.
3. Relatively narrow foot well, so one can stretch legs to opposite seat while healed
4. Cockpit cubbies for handy storage.
5. Back support (something often missing on ex racing boats)

One thing I don't like is the covering material color (dark) on the seats. I can't tell from the photos what the finish is composed of (paint? Nonskid? Fake Teak appliqué?) but it looks like that would get hot in the tropics, if that boat went there.

[clockwork orange]

I like the cockpit also, its an old fashioned layout which is fine. Some years ago we did some work on an old Pearson 39 years ago which had a similar cockpit but without the hard dodger but I really liked the very deep combings.

[delmarrey]

SU,

I don't have the photos readily available but goto my blog and open the 2011 section and to cockpit. Then down to arch. That will give you a lot of detail of the upgrades done to an old racer cockpit.

I did a cruise from Seattle to SF and then to SD and not having seats in the cockpit was actually convenient. The seats are removable and we're only put in place for a day or two when the weather was calm. Motoring on the return back to Seattle one was in place most of the time.

I got most of my ideas from an old Swan and other boats. I have back problems so this made it easy to crank winches and handle sheets/halyards. There's a lot of boats out there I like but I can only afford to own one.

And it was actually built for the tropics. It gets very little condensation, mostly the overhead up by the anchor windlass. On a hot day I pop the hatches and the air flow goes thru really well. And with the deck & hull being cored the overhead and sides doesn't get hot. The tropics is mostly humid. The temps rarely gets over 93° F and the direct sunlight doesn't burn like up North here. I spend half the year in the Philippines, in a house.

[tanton37]

Here's a pic of mine currently being built by Tom Wroe Boat builder on Wolfe Island. Sorry for the poor image quality.

[mattyc]

Originally Posted by tanton37

Here's a pic of mine currently being built by Tom Wroe Boat builder on Wolfe Island. Sorry for the poor image quality.

Here is pic of mine. 3/4" foam and carbon built over a male mold. If anyone is interested, the mold is for sale. Located in Maine.

[delmarrey]

No offense but I've hed/seen really bad results with screw on windows. The screw hole end up cracking, or even pieces brake away. It's best to put a frame around the window to hold in place.

I recessed mine and sealed into place. After a 3 years I've had to reseal corners but the window's are still intact.

[Copacabana]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

No offense but I've hed/seen really bad results with screw on windows. The screw hole end up cracking, or even pieces brake away. It's best to put a frame around the window to hold in place.

I recessed mine and sealed into place. After a 3 years I've had to reseal corners but the window's are still intact.

I have bolted on windows. No cracking (but it's 10mm acrylic too). I think the secret is drilling the holes a bit oversized to avoid cracking.

[JJ77]

Dodger on a RM1350 designed by Ed Joy;
https://www.edjoydesign.com/new-blog...ger-for-rm1350


I would have followed the angle of the coach roof but nobody asked me:-)looks good nevertheless.

Cheers,
JJ

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by JJ77

Dodger on a RM1350 designed by Ed Joy;
https://www.edjoydesign.com/new-blog...ger-for-rm1350


I would have followed the angle of the coach roof but nobody asked me:-)looks good nevertheless.

Cheers,
JJ

Ouch! Too tall, straight sided, ugly profile.... and to think this was professionally designed and built. Ed joy has come up was some beautiful boats, but he sure got this dodger wrong.

And on an awesome boat like an RM

Matt

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by JJ77

Dodger on a RM1350 designed by Ed Joy;
https://www.edjoydesign.com/new-blog...ger-for-rm1350


I would have followed the angle of the coach roof but nobody asked me:-)looks good nevertheless.

Cheers,
JJ

Thanks for adding the link to that hard dodger.

Here are some photos of that dodger from that site.

While it is taller than some, I suspect that was done so the helmsman could see through the windscreen while standing aft of the dodger. That height would make entry and exit of the companionway easier and sitting room below the dodger too. Looking at the profile of the boat, it appears the boom is already high on this boat, allowing a higher dodger.

I do like the addition of some handrails on the side of the dodger. I would also want something to grab on the aft edge, as that is a place I tend to stand while on watch, and having something to hold onto there (secure grab rails) is a good thing in my opinion.

I also notice that from the dodger going forward on the boat cabin top, there appears to be a lack of handrails on the cabin top. ???

I would want good secure handrails on my own boat’s cabin top, from the dodger going forward, as going around and past a dodger like that and then moving forward to the mast or foredeck is one of the most important times to have something secure to hold onto as you make your way forward.

[lifeofreilly57]

So far the best integrated hard dodger I saw for my use was on an Outbound center cockpit, it had the top coming back for protection from the elements, but had a cut out above the companionway for ease of access. It also blended well with the lines of the boat. Well thought out and well integrated.
As my project list expanded and time is growing short I don't know if I'll be able to get the time for a hard dodger, but we'll see.
Boat gets splashed in two weeks then we're off in November. Much to do and not much time left.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by mattyc

Here is pic of mine. 3/4" foam and carbon built over a male mold. If anyone is interested, the mold is for sale. Located in Maine.Attachment 170352Attachment 170353Attachment 170354

What was the layup schedule for the carbon fiber?

[double u]

most elegant one imho:
39BEN – BENTE