Hard Dodger (Sprayhood) Illustrated Guide - Examples, Tips

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Bill Creadon

Steady Hand,


I build hard dodgers and hard biminis from 1/2" thick Seaboard (Starboard). You may want to check out www.cruisinhardtops.com . We try to utilize the soft dodger frame and design (form) the new top to fit it. I work with Canvas Creations in Annapolis, Maryland. They have produced the Wavestopper for years in fiberglass and now utilize the Seaboard tops. We finish our dodgers with .080 thick hard acrylic material that has a 15 year UV life. It is bonded to the fabric material as it can't be sewn. We use keder track attachment for panels and connectors where suitable. Our goal is to produce a long lasting, attractive top that fits with the aesthetics of the boat and the owners needs. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Bill Creadon

Bill,
Thanks for adding your dodger to the mix.

From your description, I understand your dodger product or type to be what I consider a "Hybrid" (soft and hard) with a Hard TOP and thinner rigid clear panels attached (bonded) to soft fabric and installed on an existing soft dodger frame.
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My Definition of a Hybrid Dodger:
I will use the word "hybrid" dodger here in this thread to include dodgers where some materials used are soft and some hard and some flexible/rigid with those materials possibly supported by a permanent frame or possibly by a partially collapsible frame or structure.

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That's how I see it, as an observer. I am not a dodger manufacturer, so there may be some other proprietary or industry terms used.

I can imagine there is a market for a "semi rigid" materials "hybrid" approach where a boat has an existing soft dodger frame and the owner wants to have more rigid materials used for the top and clear sections.

Thanks again for adding to this discussion.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Hard dodger being built in South Africa for our friends Wauquiez 38


Blog story on it here
https://sageonsail.com/2016/04/29/dinghy-suspense/

Paul,

Thank you for adding that image.
This dodger brings up another design element I notice in some dodgers:

The Overhanging Top

By that I mean a dodger hard top that overhangs the front and possibly side windscreens. Like an old 1950s truck cabin top visor.

In this case, the overhang also has cutout handholds. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I think handholds on hard or soft dodgers are a very good feature.

I do wonder about the design of an overhanging top. Does the designer present that as beneficial for some reason? If so, what reasons are used? Possibly to reduce sun from above or provide some shade on the front glass? Or just to incorporate the cutout handholds in the top material? Or?

[Steadman Uhlich]

Another Note About Numbering:

I recognize that others are not posting a number with their dodger designs. So my idea to number them sequentially may not work on every dodger design posted here. But, I think the concept of number them will help others who may refer back to a design months from now, as at least some numbers will help when looking back through what may become a many page thread.

So, I will continue my numbering scheme with dodger images I post, and still encourage others to add the next number when they post a design. No hard rule, and I am sure we may lose count, but appreciated in the future.
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Dodger Design #7

The Yellow Hard Dodger

This has some curve to it and handholds and large clear panels or windows. It does not extend far back into the cockpit. This is a commercial product.

[bsurvey]

all the vendee boats have hard dodgers orma 60's they but the doger on a sail track so they can move it forward close to the enrty on ood day and move it afty to protect them whil at the helm when it get rough, a great idea.


hard dodgers with small or no widows is the way to go

[Steadman Uhlich]

Dodger Design #8. The Step Up Design

Older boat with a two tier cabin top. The dodger adds a third tier.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Dodger Design #9 The Curved Windscreen

[sailorcherry]

Thanks Steady, I have had a lot of compliments on it over the years. So many new boats have hard dodgers now - for good reason. Not cheap, but obviously it offers a lot for the money.

This one is small enough it does not hinder visibility - ever. The rail is super sturdy. Before the remodel you could stand on top (240lb man was on it for a good hr once) but that was rare and being able to hunker down and peek up the top of the dodger for sail trim or wind direction is important.
Honestly, when I first saw it I didn't like it, but man, did that change!
Want to grow herbs or certain veggies? Charge solar lights? Want to use electronics outside in a dry environment? Want to have a large, no breeze space to go thru charts or chopping food while on watch without it blowing away? Take a green water hit?
Well, here's the solution.

This is it before it was remodeled (for sale ad from last year, ps -now $84k - no brokers) https://youtu.be/OKeCgR4d5H8

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by sailorcherry

Thanks Steady, I have had a lot of compliments on it over the years. So many new boats have hard dodgers now - for good reason. Not cheap, but obviously it offers a lot for the money.

This one is small enough it does not hinder visibility - ever. The rail is super sturdy. Before the remodel you could stand on top (240lb man was on it for a good hr once) but that was rare and being able to hunker down and peek up the top of the dodger for sail trim or wind direction is important.
Honestly, when I first saw it I didn't like it, but man, did that change!
Want to grow herbs or certain veggies? Charge solar lights? Want to use electronics outside in a dry environment? Want to have a large, no breeze space to go thru charts or chopping food while on watch without it blowing away? Take a green water hit?
Well, here's the solution.

This is it before it was remodeled (for sale ad from last year, ps -now $84k - no brokers) https://youtu.be/OKeCgR4d5H8

Good! More good stuff.

You bring up another set of ways the Hard Dodger may have benefits. I will add another Dodger Design Principle stimulated by your posted comment.

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Hard Dodger Design Principle

Will your hard dodger top material and structure support the weight of a crewmember who may need to or want to climb on top of the dodger to reach part of the boom?

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hard Dodger Design #10

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hard Dodger Design #11

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hard Dodger Design #12

Notice the white hard top, the clear glass and the dark framing of the glass and a split middle window (probably a drop down panel for ventilation).

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hard Dodger Design #13

Notice the position of the hand holds on the dodger top. Looks like an odd position to me, looks like it is in the center of the top (rather than on the edge or close to the sides as shown in most hard dodgers).

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hard Dodger Design #14


Dodger Design Principle:

"Will the dodger design and location interfere with the operation of your boat's traveler?"

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by sailor1924

The PO of my boat added the hard dodger which was a very attractive feature to me. The center windscreen window opens to permit very good airflow in warm weather.
The only issue I find that is a drawback is the limiting of line of site for close quarters maneuvering, although it's really the loss of visuals below the bow that is problematic not really the presence or height of the dodger. I agree completely about using clear glass for night use.
The combination of bimini and dodger allows me to be a mostly fair weather sailor even when the weather doesn't co-operate.

Thanks for posting the photos. (I have admired the Countess model before.)

Looks good to me. Functional, good clear view. Hand holds.

Is that semi-circle shape a boom rest (like a boom gallows rest) on the back edge?

[SF Bay Dude]

This one is pretty cool.