Hard dodgers?

[Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)]

I was looking at the pictures of full enclosures and fell in love with the hard dodger pictured on Respite.

https://groups.google.com/group/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/attach/296a9818e9a95/IMAG0226.jpeg?part=0.3&thumb=1

Rob, Mark, anyone, care to talk about your experiences with those?

I'm thinking about replacing my canvas dodger with a hard one, and going full bore to install polycarbonate instead of the high maintenance insta-scratch, insta-warp eisenglass that I hate to baby.  I'm looking for ideas to steal and suppliers to consider.

Thanks,

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch 26U #233

[Rob Powers]

Hi Bob,

We like ours. It is low enough for me to see over when I stand. If the connector to the bimini is in I can look through dodger, if it is wet or misty I can lower the center window in the dodger slightly and see through it. The front of the dodger over hangs the front windows in the dodger so the rain does not come in.It comes back far enough into the cockpit that I can hold the grab rail while standing at the wheel. It is fiberglas but could be made in other materials. The support structure is elegant in it's simplicity. Just 2 bows that support the dodger and one that connects them and forms the grab rail. It was made in Sidney by Tartarooga. They have a site and a number of pictures. I have tried to post photos but had problems. I sent them to Mark. He may be able to help.

Rob Powers

Respite #50 26C Sidney BC

[Rob Powers]

I see Mark has posted the pics under the enclosure discussion. I can get some pics of the dodger support structure if that helps.

Rob

Respite 26C #50

Sidney BC

[Ernie Abugov N22 - #56 "Moustaches" Toronto]

Guys -

I may be very wrong but I heard that polycarbonate and/or Lexan (same stuff ??) doesn't like salt water and, while it stops bullets, it scratches easily. Plexiglass may be more scratch-resistant ... maybe ??

Worth carefully checking.

Ernie A. in Toronto

[Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)]

Ernie,

Hmmm.  Good point.  With my personality, that's a hard trade-off to make.  On the one hand, I hate maintenance and don't wanna deal with scratches.  On the other hand, I could probably use the bullet protection.  Difficult call to make...

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch 26U #233

[Ernie Abugov N22 - #56 "Moustaches" Toronto]

Well, then buy Strataglass but get it 1.5" thick - THAT'LL stop a bullet. But, seriously .... I heard this years ago and I'm not dead sure if it's right or wrong.

Take care, Bob.

Ernie A. in Toronto

[Paul Miller]

Price and scratch proneness keep me a way from polycarbonate but I’m a big fan of acrylic. We used acres of it in marine environment when we had our passenger ferry business. It eventually scratches and sometimes cracks but it is much less painful to replace ($$$) than Lexan, even more so for scratch resistant Lexan.

Last spring I replaced the old vinyl in my dodger with acrylic sheet fastened with velcro. The improvement in visibility is amazing.

Paul M

NS30U #211, Sandpiper 

Cowichan Bay, B.C.

[Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)]

Led me to do some on-line research.  Acme Plastics (https://www.acmeplastics.com/acrylic-vs-polycarbonate) has a good web page on the trade-offs.   Consistent with what I see Paul's posted.

And, as the Wiley Coyote of do-it-yourself projects, how can I not like a company called Acme?

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch 26U #233

[Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)]

Paul,

What thickness acrylic sheet do you recommend?

Thanks,

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch 26C #233

[Paul Miller]

I used the .118” from Home Depot 

https://www.homedepot.ca/search?q=Acrylic%20sheet#!q=Acrylic%20sheet

but if I did it again I would go down a size to the .093”. I thermoforming the curved pieces. With the thinner stock it would bend cold just fine.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "INA Nonsuch Discussion Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/t47rRKdTef8/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to INA-Nonsuch-Discussi...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/80fa48a9-528b-4c09-94bf-09deb4237436n%40googlegroups.com.

--

Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper

Cowichan Bay B.C.

[Paul Miller]

Here’s an album on the process.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XosceyXKfnZBpj9R8

[Mike BIANKA]

Nice job Paul. One question. It looks like your Acrylic is Velcroed to the dodger fabric from the inside is this correct?

Mike

BIANKA

1986 30U

Long Island

[Paul Miller]

Yes, it allows a bit of water in at the bottom in heavy rain but it doesn’t cause a problem. It means I can remove the centre panel when I want to without going on deck.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/7567df69-de5e-493a-9d87-ba5580faa9d0n%40googlegroups.com.

[Paul Miller]

….. and thank you Mike. 😁

[Mike BIANKA]

Thanks for the info. Since I removed my boats original 1986 vinyl dodger and put up the overhead solar panels in it's place.  I have not had any windows in the cockpit. Not a problem in the summer months but. as things turn cooler here in the northeast I start thinking about making some as an over the winter project. Your solution looks like a great way to go.

Mike

BIANKA

1986 30U

Long Island

[Tim in STL]

How did you attach the Velcro to the Acrylic?

Tim in STL

White O’morn NS26U #216

Harbor Point Yacht Club

West Alton, MO

[Paul Miller]

I used the high strength peel and stick hooks on the acrylic and sew on loops on the Sunbrella. I wondered about the strength of the adhesive but it is excellent.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/f0d6f176-e11b-48f9-98c1-e6f901eb0765n%40googlegroups.com.