Dodgers - material

[Scubafill]

I have just had to have a new spray hood made to fit my existing frame and am happy to pay for the skills and equipment to produce a fairly complicated cover.

I was quoted over £120 for a pair of dodgers which I feel is excessive for an oblong of material with a seam and few metal eyelets.

Do any of you DIY sailors know where I can purchase canvas preferably pre dyed so that SWMBO can run up replacements?

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Ours are made from Acrylic, much stronger, easy to clean. The letters for the name are cut out and sewn on.

Much better than canvass IMHO.

 

[ridgy]

This guy might be your man:

www.martexmarine.com

 

[jerryat]

Agreed. Acrylic is the best material for long term strength and colour retention.

I don't know how big your dodgers are Scubafill, but I have just had a pair made here in Plymouth for my Fulmar, that are about six feet long (x normal stanchion height) including letters stitched on (but provided by me) for £109.00.

It would seem that the price you were quoted is not excessive, depending on the relative size.

Cheers
jerry

 

[tsmyth]

What is the advantage o dodgers? I presume to keep spary out of the cockpit.

Ray

 

[paulrossall]

Creates an illusion of a more secure environment for SWMBO. Keeps wind and rain off you ...a bit. Gives you a bit more privacy in the cockpit. Paul

 

[brownsox]

I saw this in a previous post here www.pointnorth.co.uk - excellent little catalogue with all sorts of fabrics, clips, eyelets etc plus advice (eg free instructions for making a sail cover). I haven't tried it yet but I'm planning to ...

 

[Scubafill]

Thanks guys - I will shop around the sites you suggested and make a decision. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Phil

 

[Thistle]

"Illusion" is right! We were knocked well over by a freak gust and the dodgers first helped to scoop water into the cockpit and then made righting more difficult by providing resistance. We started to come up when some of the ties broke.

It's an experience I wouldn't like to repeat, nor would SWMBO who was on the helm at the time. Dodgers are now in a bag marked "scrap canvas" - you never know when we'll need to repair the spray hood.

If you feel you must have dodgers I'd strongly recommend fixing them with very light cable ties.

 

[BrendanChandler]

Re: Dodgers - fastening

I like dodgers, especially sailing in this part of the world. they help keep spray and rain out.

I fasten mine to the upper rail with string or cable ties. I fasten the bottom with light shockcord so that when knocked down or hit by a wave, they move out of the way and do not form a rigid barrier to hold water. Works well in bad weather which is exactly when they earn their keep.

Brendan

 

[Rabbie]

I can recommend Martex man. Made me superb heavy duty PVC dodgers last year for £80 (incl name).