Do we need dodgers?

[brownsox]

We are getting our Trapper TS240 ready for the season. It's new to us and our first big (non-dinghy) boat.
How necessary/desirable are dodgers? Is the extra windage a problem?
And why do so many people have angled ones, when they could continue back to an upright on the pushpit, and so be rectangular?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Guest]

Nice to hide behind when wind blows / having your G&T etc.

Angled - normally as they are fitted to the forward angled part of the pushpit .... no reason why you shouldn't take it back - but many like me have a second 'wrap-around' that goes from dodger to dodger around the stern completing the 'in-port' canvas.

I have used boat without and was glad when they were back on again. Yes windage is significantly increased - but for average cruising boat ..... ?????

 

[Abigail]

As with so many things it depends on size of boat and sailing plans. Our our last boat, Halcyon 23, we were only about 2 feet above the water and the dodgers were very useful both for draughtproofing and (most of all) keeping spray off. Hushwing had so little windage really that it made little difference.

On Roaring Girl, much higher freeboard, 40 long, centre cockpit - we don't at the moment have dodgers and despite wandering around the Thames Estuary in January, haven't missed them. Some friends in a similar boat put dodgers around their pushpit and found they couldn't control her in confined spaces (eg locks) becuase of the additional windage.

So - depends what you want to do really!

HTH

 

[john_morris_uk]

The only reason we angled the aft end of the dodgers on one of our boats was to a) allow access to a cleat. b) allow access to a spinnaker sheet block. If the dodger doesn't foul anything do what ever you want!

 

[phanakapan]

The dodgers that came with our boat restricted access to sheet winches and also because our cockpit is deep with no room to sit on the coamings, you can't see unless you stand up. So they've been mothballed along with the sprayhood. As for windage, I must admit I didn't notice much difference, but then my boat prefers going sideways anyway.

 

[geoffatstanpit]

My Parker 21 had dodgers when I got it but I soon took them off because I found that they tended to funnel the wind through the cockpit, obstructed the view to windward, scooped up great dollops of water if I let her heel a bit too much and had no effect on the spray which only ever comes in over the weather bow.

It also has a pram-hood which is great for keeping the weather off the ropes and washboards when left on the mooring but is a real pain when sailing, so is folded flat.

Geoff

 

[graham]

Re: You dont need dodgers.

They restrict your view to windward and create extra windage. Better to spend the money on decent oilskins to keep you warm and dry.

 

[VicMallows]

Agree with you and Graham ... more trouble than they're worth. Isn't their primary function to display the boats name as big as possible? Same practical considerations apply to sprayhoods.

Vic

 

[Mirelle]

Do we need guard wires to hang them from?

In 2002, I removed our guard wire stanchions, which were first fitted when she was new in 1937, because they were a constant source of little leaks, and were of a height better suited to speeding the parting guest by tripping him or her behind the knee than practically retaining the crewperson aboard, and we instituted a rule that harnesses and lifelines must be worn.

They have sat in the garage with the dodgers ever since, and no-one has suggested putting them back.

 

[billmacfarlane]

I've always wondered why they're called spray dodgers. Spray tends to come over the bows and they don't actually do the job. I've got no time for them really, I had them in one boat and I took them off again. The best use for them is keeping the wind off you when sitting in the cockpit in harbour, but of course they also restrict your view both in harbour and at sea.

 

[webcraft]

Don't understand any of this . . .

Ours don't resttrict the view, and do keep wind and spray off us - a most cost-effective bit of kit.

I think a lot of it depends on boat type, so there is no right answer . . . surely you can make this level of decision yourself?

- Nick

 

[Captain Haddock]

I've always had dodgers and wouldn't be without them.

They keep the wind out of the cockpit when moored/hove to, lovely when you want to enjoy a cup of tea outside and watch the sunset but don't want the wind blowing chilling everyone that little bit more.

The key thing is to make sure they are made correctly for your boat i.e. they don't get in the way of cleats etc.

As for identification they are great as it's easier to spot the idiot who's about to run into a mud bank they don't know about and hail them (Namely me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

 

[brownsox]

Er yes, we can decide for ourselves. But this forum is a good way of gaining knowledge to inform decisions, and I'm grateful for all the other opinions offered. We've hardly sailed the boat yet, and so we're having to make lots of judgement calls about kit that we have no personal knowledge about. Yet.

 

[paulrossall]

Ignore all derogatory comments and ask any question you like....good maners cost nothing. I have dodgers and would not be without them as I have a large cockpit and they make SWMBO happy. paul

 

[ashanta]

If cruising they are nice to have because you can hide behind them in bad weather or SHMBO can lie down on the cockpit seat and sunbathe(Obviously a raggie) without the cold wind on her body.
If racing, well every bit of wind counts for or against and dodgers would be seen as a disadvantage in many ways.

Regards.

peter.

 

[ashanta]

I would agree with you. On my boat the dodgers do exactly what they are supposed to do and the certainly do not restrict my view. They have made some long difficult passages much more bearable. I would also agree that every boat is different and they may not suit certain boats. They do not seem to affect my cruising speed but I do think they would affect racing yachts.

Regards.

peter.

 

[ashanta]

Hear hear!

 

[pjohnson]

I agree with webcraft, ours do exactly what it says on the tin, although they can throw you a bit when mooring.
My wife also made ours and I can't get any cheaper than that.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
Agree with you and Graham ... more trouble than they're worth. Isn't their primary function to display the boats name as big as possible? Same practical considerations apply to sprayhoods.

Vic

[/ QUOTE ]

I changed the name of my boat (there's another topic for you) and the dodgers had to go. Very handy for little jobs like a ground sheet or part of my tender cover on-shore.
There's lots to look at where we sail so the extra visibility is great and not being a seaway we don't get more than a brisk chop so keeping dry is not an issue. Added to which on a small (6 metre) boat the boom tends to be lower and the gap to look through is smaller with dodgers in place.

 

[brownsox]

We've changed the name of our boat too, so same situation. We've decided to take the old dodgers and try them out for visibility etc, with the name inside and upside down, on our first outing at Easter.
We certainly know what the issues are now - thanks guys.