Self-Building a Hard Dodger

[Rhosyn Mor]

So... I decided to self build a hard dodger ( thanks to all on this forum for previous posts).
This is a pic of the stern of Rhosyn Mor - I think you can just see the dodger frame, and of the hard dodger top. just finished.
Dodger top is 1/4 inch ABS heat formed at sides to drop down.
Took 3 hours to make. Material was USD 117. Next step is to fit it to the frame. I made a cardboard template first, si it should fit.

[slacker]

Very nice. Ours took about 3 weeks to make!

[James S]

Cool...nice job....if it fits :-0
Just kidding.
When will we see the final assembly?
Sounds like an excellent value as well.

[Rhosyn Mor]

going on this week, as I lose my slip on the 1st. will post pics when its on

[Southern Star]

Rhosyn, pardon my ignorance, but what is USD 117?

Brad

[Rhosyn Mor]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

Rhosyn, pardon my ignorance, but what is USD 117?

Brad

My puter is english and does not have a dollar sign
USD is US dollars

[witzgall]

Looks promising. Could you give any omre information on the material used, and where you got it?

Chris

[waterdog]

I did a hard dodger on my last boat. 3 layers laminated 1/4" ply with epoxy glass over top. Windows were removable acrylic. It was a great upgrade to the boat. I would do one again.

[Rhosyn Mor]

you can get ABS at any plastics supply house. There is one in Annapolis . 1/4 inch thick, 4 x 8. moulded the edges with a heat strip and heat gun. not hard to do. I

[nautical62]

Originally Posted by waterdog

I did a hard dodger on my last boat. 3 layers laminated 1/4" ply with epoxy glass over top. Windows were removable acrylic. It was a great upgrade to the boat. I would do one again.

Very nice job waterdog!

[Charlie]

Looks really nice. I ma going to need to replace my dodger in the next year or two and like the idea of a hard dodger. I am thinking of doing something like yours but am concerned about the UV qualities of ABS. I don't have any experience with it but when I looked at the tap plastic site it did not mention UV stability. Is yours a special type of plastic?

[neelie]

It looks great and seems an elegant solution.

However, is white ABS UV resistant? (I had been led to believe that only the black was).

[James S]

Originally Posted by nautical62

Very nice job waterdog!

I'll second that....

[GordMay]

ABS (Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is not suitable for outdoor applications, because of its poor UV resistance.
Current UV stabilized grades refer only to colour fastness, not mechanical property retention.
Black ABS generally has carbon added, which increases it’s “weatherability” somewhat, but not enough for permanent outdoor use.

Of thermoplastics, only PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and ASA (Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile) type polymers are inherently UV stable.

[dolcesails]

nice............very nice