Do you use Spray Dodgers?

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I had spray dodgers for years but I have decided to remove them. The cockpit is much lighter now and obviously it feels a bit more exposed, but, there is less clatter and no more interference with my winches. However, the Sprayhood will stay up. So, do you find spray dodgers useful or having spray dodgers is just a bad habit?

 

[sailorman]

we are too beamy, heeled over we would never see over the windward side

 

[dunedin]

No. Probably useful with boats with low freeboard and/or narrow cockpits. But on a moden 36 footer rather unnecessary in my view. Have some in the loft that came with the boat but never bothered to fit them

 

[Twister_Ken]

No.

 

[Gerry]

Yes, many a time they have saved us from a soaking! Like the privacy they afford too......

 

[bitbaltic]

Yes. Seven year old child and mindful SWMBO. Advantages of a big piece of cloth to leeward will outweigh the disadvantages of a big piece of cloth to windward for quite some time.

Do these things shield you from spray too?

Cheers

 

[Stork_III]

we are too beamy, heeled over we would never see over the windward side

Yes but how beamy is the boat.

 

[FWB]

No there isn't even a fence.

 

[Vara]

Yes, I have one, which in port is rigged to give shelter from prevailing wind.
Not used at sea.

 

[prv]

We had them on Kindred Spirit (narrowish and low freeboard) and found them very useful. On Ariam the cockpit is higher up and well protected (Scandinavian design) and dodgers are unnecessary.

If the weather is inclement in harbour, we put the cockpit tent up.

Pete

 

[Blueboatman]

All the time. Rigged them after three weeks without and they ain't coming off!
But I winter sail and stow mooring lines, spinnaker cows tongues etc between the top lifeline and the acrylic canvas.
Deep keel so negligible crosswind effect btw

 

[Spyro]

Yes, I like them. Apart from dodging spray they keep the wind off when sitting on the combings when going to windward.

 

[Malcb]

Took mine off this year and coudn't be bothered to put them back on, so probably won't bother.

 

[Seagreen]

I don't even have guardrails...

 

[JumbleDuck]

No because (a) I think they look ugly on my boat and (b) my regular crew, being young, wouldn't be able to see out of the cockpit if we had 'em. Anyway, I have never had anything wet hit me from that direction. Might get some to use occasionally to keep the wind off.

 

[westhinder]

Our first boat had spray dodgers, but I took them off after one season. Not only are they ugly on a beautiful Rival, I felt they isolated us too much from what was around us.

 

[mainsail1]

I used to have them but decided to remove them after a rogue wave tore one. Never put them back and enjoy the extra view.

 

[guernseyman]

Stopped using them a few years ago. Miss the name of the boat, writ large, for ID purposes. Like the extra view of the water, waves and dolphins. Don't feel exposed in marinas, etc.

 

[claymore]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl9UDOlX0eY&feature=youtu.be

 

[saltylegs]

Not my cup of tea but mrs Salty is not so keen on the wind or splashes so they are still up