Hard Dodger (Sprayhood) Illustrated Guide - Examples, Tips

[Snowpetrel]

https://www.facebook.com/gregormcguckinracing/

I like the door and dodger combo. I'd like a slightly longer dodger for more shelter amd some sort of canvas flap on the back to keep out spray when getting in and out of the hatch. But this will work well for Gregor, and the rain catcher on the roof will be handy.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by mattyc

Here is pic of mine. 3/4" foam and carbon built over a male mold. If anyone is interested, the mold is for sale. Located in Maine.Attachment 170352Attachment 170353Attachment 170354

Unusual design. Thanks for adding it to the mix.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

https://www.facebook.com/gregormcguckinracing/

I like the door and dodger combo. I'd like a slightly longer dodger for more shelter amd some sort of canvas flap on the back to keep out spray when getting in and out of the hatch. But this will work well for Gregor, and the rain catcher on the roof will be handy. Attachment 176205

Thanks for posting the photo and your comment. I agree with your view.

Notice the winch location. It does look like the hard dodger would limit the winch handle use to short back and forth cranks.

I like the hatch. How hard is it to enter or exit that type of hatch?

[hpeer]

If not noted befor one should pay attention to the slope of the widows. I moved a boat with slanting this windows, 14 hour trip. At first I thought they were great. I could sit and see we’ll forward.

However, when the rain began the water would head up on the windows making them useless. I spent the last few hours hanging over the side to see around them. What a mess.

So IMHO the windows need to b as vertical as poss lento shed water or some other precaution needs to adapted. Thise near flat panels are sexy but don’t as much usable protected space, eat up deck space, and would be slippery as all get out if stepped upon.

[clockwork orange]

Originally Posted by Copacabana

I have bolted on windows. No cracking (but it's 10mm acrylic too). I think the secret is drilling the holes a bit oversized to avoid cracking.

Agreed, while I have seen windows cracked at screw holes but I have installed dozens of windows over the years on my own and customers boats and have never had an issue on any that I have done. I once removed a 3/8" thick acrylic window on a C&C 24 that was bonded in with no fasteners at all and it was broken in three pieces.

[jhulmer]

Steadman, thanks for the thread I have been following close because I too plan to build a dodger during my refit.

I have been collecting pictures for several years now and thought I would share some of them here in several posts. Some of these are professionally designed and built and some are made by their owners.

This one was professionally built in South Africa:

[jhulmer]

A few more random pictures of hard dodgers. I am thinking of building in aluminum.

[Steadman Uhlich]

TO JHULMER: Thanks for adding all those photos. I think photos are very important for this thread and you added good ones for us all to see. Thanks!

[jhulmer]

Here are a few more - everyone likes pictures.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by jhulmer

Here are a few more - everyone likes pictures.

WOW. I like what I see inside that hard dodger. Nice!

[Tayana42]

Jhulmer, very nice looking. Any photos of the boat with the hard dodger on it?

[thinwater]

I created this pop-in mini-dodger to deal with the problem of drop boards in light rain and spray. They are a pain to put in, but the cabin gets wet otherwise.





It's just FRP sheet sized so that it flexes and pops into the slider groove. There is a flexible front edge to create a seal, and it stores flat under the v-berth when not needed. Very helpful on a small boat, and easily adapted to many designs. No interference with winches or moving on-deck.


Just the thing for a First 24 or similar sport boat.

[Rhod72]

Hi Steadman,

Firstly thanks for a really interesting thread.

I'm keen to put a hard dodger/windscreen on my boat to offer some protection for cruising. The problem I have is a relatively low boom that extends 80 cm over the cockpit and the traveller sits at the base of the cabin/cockpit bulkhead. It's not a massive cockpit because it's not a massive boat (S&S Defiance 30). I don't want to move the traveller aft because it would compromise a cockpit locker and general space in the cockpit. I don't want to move the traveller to the coach roof because it would make the boat less easy to handle single-handed. This rules out a dodger with a roof section. So I was thinking about adding a windscreen similar to #274 the O'Day39. Made out of perspex with a metal frame. I don't want to add the travelleler to the dodger roof because it would be too close to the boom and would need to be very strong. Before I start making up cardboard and ply templates I thought I'd ask will this be effective in stopping the occasional waves dousing the cockpit. One of the earlier comments suggested that windscreens didn't add much protection compared to a dodger with a roof. I can appreciate that it will not be as good but I just wondered if anyone had any advice or suggestions.

Thanks

[Terra Nova]

72--if you post appropriate photos you might get meaningful help.

[Checkswrecks]

Originally Posted by Rhod72

Hi Steadman,

Firstly thanks for a really interesting thread.

I'm keen to put a hard dodger/windscreen on my boat to offer some protection for cruising. The problem I have is a relatively low boom that extends 80 cm over the cockpit and the traveller sits at the base of the cabin/cockpit bulkhead. It's not a massive cockpit because it's not a massive boat (S&S Defiance 30). I don't want to move the traveller aft because it would compromise a cockpit locker and general space in the cockpit. I don't want to move the traveller to the coach roof because it would make the boat less easy to handle single-handed. This rules out a dodger with a roof section. So I was thinking about adding a windscreen similar to #274 the O'Day39. Made out of perspex with a metal frame. I don't want to add the travelleler to the dodger roof because it would be too close to the boom and would need to be very strong. Before I start making up cardboard and ply templates I thought I'd ask will this be effective in stopping the occasional waves dousing the cockpit. One of the earlier comments suggested that windscreens didn't add much protection compared to a dodger with a roof. I can appreciate that it will not be as good but I just wondered if anyone had any advice or suggestions.

Thanks

I looked at a Beneteau Idylle which had one, as shown below. The window sections and connections to each other were stout as heck.