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250 Dodger.....

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/30/2003 : 13:05:09

As some of you might know the part of my brain dedicated to R&D has been mulling over a dodger for some time now......and with a sailing trip planned on a blustery 65F Chesapeake for the next four days, I figured I needed some "protection". The issues with a dodger for the 250 are:

*A permanent installation interferes with the pop-top.
*Due to the lack of side decks you must leave a safe way to go forward.
*There are a number of different configurations of stoppers/winches etc. right there.

When I found the stainless steel bracket shown in the picture the light bulb went off. It clamps onto the mid ship pulpit, and receives schedule 40, 1" OD electrical pipe.

<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Dodger/Dodger5.JPG" border=0>
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Dodger/Dodger4.JPG" border=0>

I ordered some Sunbrella and got the sewing machine out.

<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Dodger/Dodger2.JPG" border=0>

So as not to interfere with the winch, and the lines leading to it, as well as the stoppers I plan to install right there, I left a 3 "gap at the bottom for this "prototype". There is enough room to put a winchhandle in and to crank through about 135-145 degrees, which is more than enough for halyards etc. As you can tell from the blocks mounted on the mid ship stanchion, I've moved the jib sheets to the helmsman position.

<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Dodger/Dodger1.JPG" border=0>

With the leftovers I made these two splash cloth for the mid-ship stanchion. Seems like the perfect place to "duck"

<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Dodger/Dodger3.JPG" border=0>

I used the snaps on the hatch. The brackets bolt on to the stanchions. The only 4 (small) holes I drilled were on the coaming for two eye brackets to hook two support straps on.

Set-up and takedown is a matter of sliding the pipe in the brackets, popping 7 snaps, and hooking up two straps. After removal the canvas rolls around the pipe, which flexes out somewhat, and then the whole thing disappears in the MRI-chamber.

As far as level of protection, and ease of going forward....Sea trial is scheduled for the next four days. I'll report back. As mentioned earlier, this is a prototype. Depending on test results, I'm contmplating a larger version that would extend all the way to the front of the pop top, and allow it to be raised about six inches, for maximum manoevering space in the hatch area.

Oscar.

Edited by - Oscar on 09/30/2003 20:27:10

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2003 : 13:19:11

Hmm, Oscar, seems like your quite the little homemaker<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> I've been mulling over he dodger idea on and off for the winter months to avoid the "snot" kicked back during motoring. Those brackets are interesting, I'll have to try and find them, Please let us know how your set up works out!! Looks good, I just wonder about visibility while sailing, perhaps a slight mod by adding clear windows? Looking foward to an update when you return.

Suzie, Tropical Sleigh
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3da07b3127cce96a441e875780000001010" border=0>
WB #619 Sarasota FL.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2003 : 20:24:56

Bracket can be found here:

http://www.drbinnovators.com/

Windows are on the list, probably on the larger model. On the other hand, the way it is it also keeps the sun out of the cabin.

250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/sunglitter.JPG" border=0>

Edited by - on

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2003 : 23:07:29

Check this out:
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2086

steve

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc32b3127cce94d57c8cff3b0000001010" border=0> Moon Chaser #385WK <img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/forum1.gif" border=0>

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2003 : 18:14:07

As you may read elsewhere on this forum, see "What a ride...", I put the dodger through it's paces, and then some. It passed with flying colors. The foredeck was awash, and spray was flying, still I had no hatchboard in and the sliding hatch was half open all the time.

It maintained it's shape well, flexing only very little. Going up on deck was no problem, even in a seaway, although I must admit I got my sealegs some four decades ago, so I "walk" around the boat with realtive ease. If going forward with motion is a chore, this setup might not be for you.

With the boat heeling, the visibility for steering was perfect. The area below the boat could be seen peeking through the forward and side windows. With boat level you can sit on the coaming, or on the throwable device and see just fine.

The cutout bottoms were no problem, so installing stoppers etc. there wile go forward as planned.

Setup and takedown is literally done in less than thirty seconds.

I plan to redo the fabric part for a better fit and finish, and I'm also still contemplating a larger model which would allow the pop-top to be up about six inches or so for much increased manoevering space below.

I'm awaiting receipt of a picture of Lady Kay taken from one of the other boats on the recent trip. That will show how it looks from a distance. Frequently dodgers are very functional, but aesthetically rival the Pope Mobile....I wanted to avoid that at all cost, and was willing to sacrifice functionality a little.

Total cost for the dodger is about $110.- plus a couple of hours at the sewing machine.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Glitter2.JPG" border=0>

Edited by - Oscar on 10/05/2003 18:28:25

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2003 : 17:16:44

And here's the shot:

<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/LKSidereef.JPG" border=0>

Oscar

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2003 : 17:39:51

Very cool, Oscar! You met or exceeded your objective for aesthetics. That looks first-class.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

jmorrical
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2003 : 12:26:30

Oscar,

Soon I am planning a cruise from Clear Lake south of Houston thru Galveston Bay to Freeport via the Gulf of Mexico or the ICW. Some cockpit protection would be a wise addition. I really like your dodger design. I wonder if an additional support tube (two) could be connected from your bow down and forward to the holes used to support the frame of the sliding hatch cover option that some of us have on our boats. That could add a little more strength and stability to your bow structure. It might also provide that aft tension to keep it all tight. You have designed that in by using traditional straps. I hate do give up cockpit space for straps. How much $ did you invest in materials? The brackets seem like a good way to mount it all easily.

Jim Morrical
Trilogy III
250WK #401

Edited by - jmorrical on 10/20/2003 20:42:32

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2003 : 22:26:56

Brackets are around $50 for the two, there's four yards of Sunbrella in the dodger (48" wide...I think it comes wider and that would save a seam) and the spray cloth in the mid ship stanchions. Sailrite has it for around $13.- a yard. Pipe, snaps and straps are another $20 or so....I figure the whole thing around $120.- (Round number)

As far as support goes, the 1" conduit is schedule 40, and although it flexes, it also provides support. I don't think there are T's like in plumbing PVC that can be glued in, although an hour at Home Despot can yield amazing rezults. I suggest you get the brackets, and then put in pipe and modify untill you have the desired rigidity. Then do the sunbrella part.

One more thought. If you insert a "T" somehow, removing the fabric from the bow, which I plan to do when I have two sizes of the dodger, would become more involved than the simple slide in/slide out sleeve I utilize.

Please share your developments. The neat thing about this project was that I managed to start thinking outside the "standard dodger design" box; others can take the ball and run further with it.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Glitter2.JPG" border=0>

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2003 : 22:00:30

I took your splash cloth idea and added a window!

Heres lookin' at you kid! Thanks for the great idea...keep em coming

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2003 : 08:01:58

Very Kewl....

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

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