Boat Appearance

[Merlin1111]

I am restoring a 50 year old Alberg 30. When I bought it, it came with a dodger. It is a beautiful old boat. My concern, apart from windage (as I sail and therefore dock my boat single handed), is that putting on the dodger will detract from its otherwise classic old lines.

Any thoughts?

[gonesail]

to me a good dodger and bimini would add to the classic looks and functionality of the alberg.

[John_Trusty]

Pretty boat! Because this is a matter of taste, I'll ask a couple of questions instead of giving my opinion. First, what's your purpose in restoring the boat - sailing or show? Second, where do you spend the most time looking, from the cockpit or the dock? Personally, I do everything to make my boat more comfortable and useful for sailing, and let the onlookers see what they see. Most of them don't know a dodger from a downhaul anyhow.

[sanibel sailor]

appearance- dodger yes, bimini no, and no steenkin' cockpit enclosure!

[angelfish2]

Merlin, I think it really depends where it is you sail. We sailed our Island Packet around Seattle, on a big lake in Montana (Flathead), and now in Florida. She has one of those cool low dodgers and no bimini, which was great in the PNW and Montana. However, in Florida, having the sun beat on our heads all day is pretty rough. A bimini is definitely in the future, although they really don't look that cool. Don't laugh, but many times we simply tie a big beach umbrella to the helm. We look like Mary Poppins but it helps, a lot.

[Glenn.Brooks]

Kind of an old thread, but I've had a dodger on my Alberg 30 for years. Wouldn't be without it, particularly in pacific northwest waters. It really cuts the wind chill and spray. It's important to stay warm and dry, so go for it and don't worry, so long as it isn't a Nomad's desert tent of some kind. My dodger was maybe 18" tall- enough to sit behind and be sheltered, but tall enough to get in and out of the companionway...


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