DIY Dodger, Bimini, Full Enclosure

[Kindle]

I just finished building our dodger and bimini using the Sailrites' Build your own Dodger DVD and am thrilled with the results. I am about to start a full glass and mosquito screen enclosure using their new DVD.

Has anyone else used the Make Your Own Enclosure DVD. I'd love to see your projects and comments/tips on the process.

Deborah

[FLLCatsailor]

Nice work! What was your total cost?

[Kindle]

I bought all the supplies for the dodger, Bimini, enclosure, along with a few small projects, for about $1500.00. I already had the frames and a few supplies and a few yards of sunbrella.

[cpa]

Looks great.

[salticrak]

Very good, you have a right to be proud. But hell, even if you do it yourself it aint cheap, considering that it really is a bit of plastic and fabric held up by a few poles.

[Kindle]

I don't know, seems pretty cheap to me. I just added a huge living area to my boat, gave my self some shade, kept away the rain, and will give myself mosquito free evenings (when I get the enclosure made). Something I will certainly use every day for the next several years.

[Kindle]

Hope this is helpful for anyone else looking to make their own enclosure:

I just finished ours using the Sailrite Make Your Own Full Boat Enclosure DVD. Like the dodger DVD, it was quite easy to follow. The video included complete instructions for making a full glass enclosure, glass with permanent mosquito screens, and glass with removable mosquito screens. I adapted it to make mine with removable screens that can be used with the glass or without. I thought it was terrific how they designed the zippers. They are completely hidden from the sun so it should extend their life significantly. Which is good because I used over 50 zippers and they were a large portion of the the total cost.

I'm done with this project, but am still very interested in seeing other dodger/enclosure projects.

Also, looking for ideas for sewing storage bags for in the dinghy-bags to store snorkle gear,fishing gear, lifejackets, and all the other junk that rides around in the dinghy. Pictures wanted!

[67Therapy]

Looks spectacular!

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Kindle

Hope this is helpful for anyone else looking to make their own enclosure:

I just finished ours using the Sailrite Make Your Own Full Boat Enclosure DVD. Like the dodger DVD, it was quite easy to follow. The video included complete instructions for making a full glass enclosure, glass with permanent mosquito screens, and glass with removable mosquito screens. I adapted it to make mine with removable screens that can be used with the glass or without. I thought it was terrific how they designed the zippers. They are completely hidden from the sun so it should extend their life significantly. Which is good because I used over 50 zippers and they were a large portion of the the total cost.

I'm done with this project, but am still very interested in seeing other dodger/enclosure projects.

Also, looking for ideas for sewing storage bags for in the dinghy-bags to store snorkle gear,fishing gear, lifejackets, and all the other junk that rides around in the dinghy. Pictures wanted!

Never done it, but suggest you use some kind of breathable cloth so you don't pull out a snorkel you intended to put in your mouth that's covered in mold ...

Open the storage bags and air out both them and their contents from time to time. But it's a great idea and I love to hear about clever storage solutions.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by 67Therapy

Looks spectacular!

Yes it does. I'm really impressed. What kind of sewing machine did you use?

[Kindle]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Yes it does. I'm really impressed. What kind of sewing machine did you use?

I have a commercial walking foot Juki LU 562 -or at least I do until the end of the month when we move aboard. It doesn't quite fit on the boat Onboard, I have a portable Thompson walking foot.

For the dinghy bags, I am thinking a phiphertex material so the water will drain right out. Still looking for ideas on how though.

[susswein]

I use trampoline (backyard, not boat) fabric to make all my mesh bags. It's heavy duty and UV resistant. Since trampolines are round the folks that make replacements have lots of scrap material that they'll give you in trade for a 6-pack.

[Hudson Force]

Consider some type of insulation, velcro cloth covers or split hose, over any of the stainless frame that comes into contact with the clear plastic panels. Particularly in the lower latitudes, the hot pipes can burn the plastic.

Nic Job!

[Cheechako]

Looks good! So what do you figure in time and materials to do that job?

[Kindle]

Capt Force-thanks, I agree. I am adding covers to the frame on those aft panels.

Cheechako- to be honest, I am not exactly sure what my final cost was. I had some sunbrella and a few zippers to start with, I ordered 1500.00 in materials, and have enough materials for several other projects left over. 1500.00 is probably my cost for the dodger and enclosure. I used strataglass .40 for the dodger and Crystalclear .30 for the enclosure. I used the PTFE thread which was a little more than 100.00 for a spool. As for time, it took me a month of working on it on weekends and a few hours during the week.

Susswein- I like the trampoline idea. I might have try and track some down.