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sanibel sailor · 05-01-2019, 15:35

Bristol 35.5, thinking about adding a dodger. Already have a Bimini, not doing a full cockpit enclosure. I have been dissatisfied with the lack of rigidity of prior soft dodgers on other boats. Thinking of a hard-top dodger, fiberglass roof with standard SS tube frame and fabric sides. I find the structural strength appealing and maybe the ability to stand on it if needed. Like side handrails on top and aft end. Don't want to put on a full rigid dodger.
Downsides I see to hard dodger is weight and inability to readily reduce windage for hurricane preparation.
Also would like to mount a couple of solar panels to it, nothing too big, 18 x 36 or so, one on each side. This would require keeping the boom amidships at rest. One would likely frequently be shaded. My electrical needs are very basic, no fridge, watermaker or other big draws.

Other option would be panels on top of the Bimini. Less boom interference but mounting might require a little more engineering.

I do not want the clutter or windage of an arch type arrangement.

Any words of wisdom would be welcome.

SuW · 05-01-2019, 15:52

I used this Sailrite video to put semi-flexible solar panels on our boat.
Two 50W on the Sunbrella bimini, two 40W on the Sunbrella dodger. We used Aleko brand panels and bought from Amazon. There are a variety of sizes.
Total cost of panels and fittings was modest; about $200 Canadian.

We have stabilized the dodger frame with struts and have installed handrails each side and along the aft edge. Most of the hardware came from Sailrite.

(I have no connection to the company, just a happy customer.)

SuW · 05-01-2019, 16:50

Oh, and the dodger can be easily taken down, it takes a minute or two to unplug the solar panels and take them out of the frame, then the dodger unzips and can be removed. The frame struts have quick disconnects
and it can then be folded down.

The handrails fold also

.

Dodger instructions.

EFurg · 24-08-2020, 05:15

Sanibel Sailor,
I am in the final stages of buying a Bristol 35.5, and a hard dodgers is at the top my list for projects. I don't like the soft dodger on her now. Did you put one on, or what did you decide to do? I looks like the

DarwinHolmstrom · 24-08-2020, 06:27

I too would be interested in reading about your decision. One of the boats I'm considering doesn't have a dodger and it sounds like that will be a worthy addition. That boat also lacks solar equipment which I'll want since it has refrigeration and I intend to install a water maker. I'm leaning towards mounting some flexible panels on the Bimini if I purchase the boat, though mounting a stainless arch with a dinghy lift and putting solar panels and a wind generator atop that might be another option. That depends on whether I decide to mount a wind vane.

chouliha · 24-08-2020, 10:13

We built our hard top 20 years ago and it has worked out well for us. Until recently we have been cruising full times since 2005. I have put together a quick pdf on the build process. Welcome to answer any ?

https://www.jacarandajourney.com/other-good-stuff. Cruising Ideas and tips #9 Building a hard dodger

ShinyHappy · 24-08-2020, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by chouliha

We built our hard top 20 years ago and it has worked out well for us. Until recently we have been cruising full times since 2005. I have put together a quick pdf on the build process. Welcome to answer any ?

https://www.jacarandajourney.com/other-good-stuff. Cruising Ideas and tips #9 Building a hard dodger

Great work. How much glassing experience did you have before making it?

Your pooch has found a great spot on the boat.

chouliha · 24-08-2020, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyHappy

Great work. How much glassing experience did you have before making it?

Your pooch has found a great spot on the boat.

Had done a number of small glass projects over the years but nothing of this scale. Lots of lessons learned but there will never be a next time.

Yes hound always liked to hang out on top for the view

sanibel sailor · 26-08-2020, 15:09

Interesting that there is a Bristol, maybe a 35.5 in the background of some of your pics...

I did much the same. I used a standard 2 bow dodger frame. Selected height to see over/under as needed, adjusting forward bow to line up with raised dodger coaming. This gave me length between bows. Laid 1/4" masonite over it as a form, then went with 3/8" end-grain balsa core followed by FG mat/roving layer. Plywood inserts for planned panel mounts. Cut loose from form, FG on bottom. Not a lot of fairing, mostly some just to make edges look OK. Painted with heavy coat of Kiwigrip which hides flaws nicely. Mostly it is covered by panels. Attached to frame with SS conduit clips (good ones- 3/32" thick), then thru bolted into SS handrails above. Added rear grabrail as well. Forward and aft struts make it very rigid. i can walk on the top. I had a pro do the canvas work, used a rigid plastic for the windows called EZ2CY, which gives perfect clarity without distortion. All boltrope edges fitted in to track on deck and top with zippered attachments so panels are removable. They cannot be rolled up. I will try to post some pics.