Cruising without a Sprayhood?

[Ocean Girl]

Last time we took Rain Dog coastal, blowing like stink, pretty good size waves. The interior was soaked, the nav desk right at companionway soaked. So yes, to me it is a must.

I like the dodger with rain fly set up, you can roll the aft cover to the dodger in fair weather.
Example, not our boat.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by simonpickard

Hello all,

I was just wondering if a Sprayhood is a must have on a boat if you're cruising long term? Is there anyone out there doing this without one?

I understand the benefits of course, but prefer the cleaner look of boats without them.

Are they a must have item?

Regards,
Simon

Dodgers are great to have, I think most everyone agrees, but I do understand you point about appearance.

Truth be told they don't have to be so tall that you can stand upright beneath them as I often observe. Really they only need to be tall enough to clime into companionway with the hatch boards in place.

In fact taking a lower profile has the advantage of reduced windage and its associated drag.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by simonpickard

I understand the benefits of course, but prefer the cleaner look of boats without them.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I like my coffee unsalted and my clothes dry.

[Zanshin]

I think a dodger/sprayhood is a great item and wouldn't be without it.

On my first boat, a 43 footer which was very dry due to high decks and a high deck-saloon, I didn't have a dodger and didn't realize what I was missing until I changed boats to one with a dodger.

Both were in the Caribbean where winds, even in protected anchorages, would still regularly blow at over 10 knots and often in the 15-20 range. With the wind protection the dodger offers in the cockpit at anchor the livability index goes way up, particularly in the evening when temperatures go down and one actually can get a wind chill.

On passage I leave the dodger up to protect from the incessant wind and occasional rainshower but if conditions get too boisterous it only takes a couple of minutes to drop the dodger (but somewhat longer than that to get it back up).

[Randy]

Staying out of the rain, wind and sun makes a lot of difference in how I feel at the end of the day and if its a passage that effect is cumulative.

[sestina]

I did our first Atlantic Circuit on a Contessa 33, a rather whizzy cruiser-racer. The deck layout meant no spray hood. Not a problem with decent oilskins.

What was very useful is a weighted canvas flap that clips on to the sliding hatch and hangs down covering the companionway, a couple of battens stop it falling in.
Stops rain and draughts. Also, means you can use white light below without blinding the cockpit. One of the best things I've ever fitted.

[zeehag]

i do not have a dodger only because i do not want one. mebbe a decent elongated bimini.....
my boat is dry.. it doesnt sail into wind, as no boat will, and if seas are breaking on my foredeck, i am in wrong ocean at wrong time of year.
i use dodger like things for summer downpours and am dreaming up a nice shady bimini like item for sailing sun protection.

not only do i like my coffee unsalted and my clothing dry, i like sun shade in tropics....no burnt skin or eyes....

[gjordan]

I did my first trip up the Calif, coast without a dodger and said NEVER AGAIN. I built a boom gallows over the companionway, and then built a dodger, using the gallows as the main(center) support. It worked great, and it added two important additions to a cruising boat. I did the same sort of thing on my second boat, and again, I loved it. I consider a dodger and a gallows essential cruising gear. Just my 2 cents worth. ______Grant.

[MARC D]

For me, having a protected cockpit is THE difference between coastal and Bluewater, long distance cruising.

[Cheechako]

I did my Pacific/mexico trip in the early 80's without a dodger. They are very nice to have and probably in my top 10 cruising "must haves". But you can do it without it. They keep you from freezing at night, keep the salt spray off you, provide secure storage for line ends, a hat, sunglasses etc etc on the cabin top. My favorite passage position on a mono is sitting in the companionway at the top of the ladder protected by the dodger....

[wsulli]

Isn't a dodger a dodger and a sprayhood a sealed cover the companionway hatch slides into making it water tight. I have not used the terms interchangeably.I may be wrong so let me have it.

[DeepFrz]

I consider a dodger and a gallows essential cruising gear. Just my 2 cents worth. ______Grant.

^^ ++1

[simonpickard]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Will definitely add one before setting out.

[snort]

Thanks for reminding me to stick with the catamaran idea, where I don't have to have the occasional saltwater bath.

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by wsulli

Isn't a dodger a dodger and a sprayhood a sealed cover the companionway hatch slides into making it water tight. I have not used the terms interchangeably.I may be wrong so let me have it.

I call that a sea hood. ( fiberglass or wood cover over fwd hatch to keep water out)Don't we also call it a turtle hood...? My brain may be glitchie, but I remember turtle..?
Maybe this should be in the terminology thread