Dodger Quote

[felizcortez]

I received the below quote for a dodger and bimini setup in San Diego.

Dodger Frame 2 bows 1 inch stainless - $1500
Dodger cover with 5 windows and top and window covers - $3100

Dodger Total $4600

Bimini Framing 3 Bows 1 inch stainless - $1800
Side tubing attachments for solar panel support
Bimini Top +1 window $1800
Solar Panel Install $2100 - On Bimini only

Bimini Total - 3600 for the Bimini and 2100 to get flexible solar panels sewed onto it.

Is this in the ball park or do you believe it's too expensive? We have a Tartan 37 sailboat.

[S/V Illusion]

sounds like a great deal to me. Our son just bought a boat, albeit somewhat larger, and he paid double that amount but for 1.5 inch bows.

[Attikos]

Local sail loft: new bimini for existing frame, $600; dodger with new frame, $2300.

[felizcortez]

Originally Posted by Attikos

Local sail loft: new bimini for existing frame, $600; dodger with new frame, $2300.

That seems like a crazy good deal. Did you just ask around at a few different sail lofts?

Our plans are to cruise to the sea of cortez so we want something that can get about 400 watts of solar panels on the boat. The canvas company said they recommended going with flexible panels. We'd have to provide them and they'd sew them into the Bimini

[Tayana42]

When comparing bids for your dodger and Bimini be certain all the bids are for top quality materials. Tenara or Profilen thread are worth the cost for long life exposed to uv light. The type of material in the clear plastic window sections can cause the price to vary widely and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Sunbrella or an equivalent acrylic fabric will hold up to the elements for years.

[Attikos]

Originally Posted by felizcortez

That seems like a crazy good deal. Did you just ask around at a few different sail lofts?

Our plans are to cruise to the sea of cortez so we want something that can get about 400 watts of solar panels on the boat. The canvas company said they recommended going with flexible panels. We'd have to provide them and they'd sew them into the Bimini

I did. This quote came from a sailmaker who lives aboard on my marina dock.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by felizcortez

I received the below quote for a dodger and bimini setup in San Diego.

Dodger Frame 2 bows 1 inch stainless - $1500
Dodger cover with 5 windows and top and window covers - $3100

Dodger Total $4600

Bimini Framing 3 Bows 1 inch stainless - $1800
Side tubing attachments for solar panel support
Bimini Top +1 window $1800
Solar Panel Install $2100 - On Bimini only

Bimini Total - 3600 for the Bimini and 2100 to get flexible solar panels sewed onto it.

Is this in the ball park or do you believe it's too expensive? We have a Tartan 37 sailboat.

This is nuts. Used these ss bows are $100-200 at most. And IMO that's overpriced as well. The sunbrella is probably a few $100s max for the whole project. What is the cost of $15-20/hr seamstress? You tell me. No way this should be more then $1000-1500 in a real non-marine priced world.

[Cheechako]

Wow! Have things got expensive. $1500 for the frame... just the tubing?

The devil is in the details on this stuff for sure. My dodger was pretty nice:
-Leathered on any wear spots,
-the whole back top edge leathered,
-extra grab bar outside the cloth full width at the back,
-side bars to grab going forward.
-Zippered roll up windows.
-1" SS tubing and cast, thick 316 stainless fittings.
-SS Side struts to the coaming from the back bow

Then the next boat: The Bimini had a zip in panel to close the gap from the dodger to the Bimini.. at anchor keeps a lot of water out of the boat in a rainstorm.

So the question is: What are you getting with your $4600 dodger? Are you getting enough?

[RainDog]

We had our dodger done about 4 years ago by one of the most expensive (and most experienced) canvas shop in the area. $2,650 all told. 34' boat, 1 inch SS frame, Sunbrella.

[Cheechako]

20 ft 1" SS tubing= $160
-Cut in two lengths
-Determine location of the deck fittings.
-Measure the width between fittings.
-Bend the tubing with lots of excess length
-After making the first bend, determine the offset when making a bend.
-Make Bend #2 to the width of deck fittings.
-Cut to length the two bent legs.

-Repeat for Hoop #2.
-Dont try this at home if you are not mechanically savvy! :>)

Or take tubing to a local shop and just tell them what you need. maybe $200?

[Fore and Aft]

What would a solid dodger cost? At least with a solid dodger it should last forever.
That quote sounds like a lot of money, but that’s boats for you.
Cheers

[davil]

Originally Posted by felizcortez

I received the below quote for a dodger and bimini setup in San Diego.

Dodger Frame 2 bows 1 inch stainless - $1500
Dodger cover with 5 windows and top and window covers - $3100

Dodger Total $4600

Bimini Framing 3 Bows 1 inch stainless - $1800
Side tubing attachments for solar panel support
Bimini Top +1 window $1800
Solar Panel Install $2100 - On Bimini only

Bimini Total - 3600 for the Bimini and 2100 to get flexible solar panels sewed onto it.

Is this in the ball park or do you believe it's too expensive? We have a Tartan 37 sailboat.

========================================

what about "south of the border?"
I outfitted my Tartan 34 last century in Shelter Island,San Diego ,we did a lot of driving back and forth between our Marina and upholstery shops in Tijuana.
Great work,lower prices,
Did new V Berth cushions etc
Another canvas shop in Tijuana did all the cockpit curtains and side covers to block the sun etc.
San Diego offers so many supply stores for "stuff" and then the labor a short drive south?
Great tacos and cold beer just a few of the benefits.

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

What would a solid dodger cost? At least with a solid dodger it should last forever.
That quote sounds like a lot of money, but that’s boats for you.
Cheers

I have a frame and canvas dodger and bimini on the boat I purchased and when it needs replacing them with solid units with good quality clear screen.

Rather than having my panels on a rickety SS bimini frame which clutters up the cockpit I will remount the panels and hang the new bimini from the panels.

Neither of them ever get folded down anyway and I hate the zippers and I expect to complete the modifications for at least half the cost of replacing the canvas ones and won't have to replace them again.