Custom Dodger for my CD30

[Doublebecket]

Wrapping up a little refit in the yard here in the Philippines. One of the things I had made was a custom dodger as the canvas one was falling apart after my pacific crossing. I was worried that the new fiberglass dodger was going to ruin the classic lines of the boat but overall I think the workers did a pretty good job. Here are a couple pics I snapped before sunset yesterday. Not the best but you can see the overall work they did.

[psjanker]

Nice job! Would welcome any in progress photos to understand how they when about the project. Perhaps a photo from a distance to evaluate the new profile....looks like the profile will not be effected since the effect appears to be a "simple" switching of material from canvas to fiberglass.

Costly in boat bucks? Estimated manhours in project?

V/r

Pete

[zekmeister]

That's a clean looking piece. I'd like to second that request for a photo from a distance.

Regards

Ze'K

[Doublebecket]

Here's one from a little farther back. Still not the greatest. I just left the boat yard today so when I anchor I'll jump in the dinghy and take a side profile pic.

[Doublebecket]

I finally left the boat yard and was able to take some proper pics. And to answer your question it took 29 days, paying two people to work 8 hour days. The grand total was around $1300.

[Jim Walsh]

Nice job Andy. I bet it felt nice to get back to cruising. Good luck.

[zekmeister]

Very nice. Love what you've done to your CD30. Where are you headed next?

[Doublebecket]

Thanks guys! I like it too, but honestly if I knew it was going to cost so much, I wouldn't of got it. I know for most that $1300 is pretty cheap, but for me that's like three months of sailing haha. The downside to having work done in a Filipino boat yard is that they won't ever give you a price on how much something costs, so for me they said it should only take a few weeks....but it dragged on for another month because they couldn't get the windows to bend to the shape of the dodger. But that's like most boatyard right?...always paying more than you expected. haha.

Right now I'm just about ready to weigh anchor in Malapascua and head towards Boracay and then El Nido in Palawan. From there, I'm not sure where. Abu Sayyaf have been extremely active this year in the South, Kidnapping and killing two sailors and then just last week they snuck onto Bohol trying to kidnap some more foreigners. Because of this, the route to Borneo looks a little dangerous as most cruisers have advised against going below central Palawan. So I'm kind of at a crossroads of either trying to continue on west or play it safe and go north up to Hong Kong, and then on to Japan.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Doublebecket:

I have a limited (and admittedly somewhat "aged") knowledge of the area where you are and where you are thinking of sailing to. If I recall correctly you are sailing with a young lady.

It would be my strong recommendation that you not sail in the southern area of the Philippines which is largely Muslim and controlled by Abu Sayyaf. As you may know, the current Philippine President (Duterte) wants all US military personnel out. The US military has been forced by Duterte to leave the Philippines, including SOF personnel who were active in fighting Abu Sayyaf. Abu Sayyaf get a lot of their money from kidnappings/ransoms and drug dealing.

While the southern Philippines (indeed all of the Philippines) is scenic it is currently (as you know) a high risk area. While Borneo is also a nice area and there is some very nice SCUBA diving in that region, in my opinion it is not worth the risk of an encounter with Abu Sayyaf en route. Such an encounter will not end well. Your alternate route to Hong Kong is much better. There are some terrific street food vendors all over Hong Kong. It's a great "little town".

[John Stone]

Andy
Nice dodger. Looks like they did a fine job.

As a Marine infantry officer with 26 years of active duty I would strongly advise against sailing into area with known terrorist activities, especially those aimed at westerners. Putting only yourself at risk is one thing but to put another, trusting in your judgment would be irresponsible. Additionally, if captured, the lives of rescue personal are also put at risk. Furthermore, Abu Sayyef will show you and your companion no mercy.

Some cruisers have taken very high risks and gotten away with it. They may not even know how lucky they were so they could even suggest "it was no problem." Even the most skilled cheetah occasional fails to drag down its targeted antelope. How lucky do you feel?

I don't know what your background is. I do think the dangers in many parts of the world are somewhat overstated. But there are places, such as the S. Philippines/ Borneo which are very dangerous. A good source of info is the US Embassy in the PI. They will know the threat and the RSO and other embassy personnel should have a pretty good grip on the dangers to Americans and westerners.

Be smart. Make it back home and live to tell the tail.

[zekmeister]

Andy here's a Wiki about the Abu Sayyaf group. It's your call ultimately bro . I would head towards Batanes Island personally and hit Biliran, Calbayog, Masbate, Romblon, Mindoro, Batangas, Manila, Olongapo, Dagupan, Vigan, Basco and then onwards.

Don't go south bro.

Check this guy out.

[moctrams]

It would be great if the folks that built your dodger could export them to US. I would like to see how you equip the interior of your CD to see how you store water, food, etc.