Dodger for CD27-need some opinions

[John Tsampas]

I was told by a reputable dodger maker that my boom was a bit low and a dodger would have to be made low to the companion way and it would make it diffacult to get in and out of my cabin. Does anyone have any first hand experiance with a dodger for a cape dory 27, and can you give me any suggestions.

[Ashley Robinson]

I was told by a reputable dodger maker that my boom was a bit low and a dodger would have to be made low to the companion way and it would make it diffacult to get in and out of my cabin. Does anyone have any first hand experiance with a dodger for a cape dory 27, and can you give me any suggestions.

Would also appreciate any info on fitting a dodger for a CD 270-given that the traveller is over the cabin top.



ashleyrobinson@hotmail.com

[Warren Kaplan]

I was told by a reputable dodger maker that my boom was a bit low and a dodger would have to be made low to the companion way and it would make it diffacult to get in and out of my cabin. Does anyone have any first hand experiance with a dodger for a cape dory 27, and can you give me any suggestions.

John,
When I bought my 1980 CD27 it came with a dodger. I have no trouble getting in and out of the companionway with the dodger deployed. The boom is low on the 27 and it just clears the top of the dodger. Alot depends on how your sail is cut I suppose. I just got a brand new mainsail. I happened to sail with it without the dodger installed yet this year so I don't know if I'm going to have problems with the dodger and the new sail. But it seemed to work fine with the old, 22 year old original mainsail. I don't have any measurement, but if you need some, I'll try and get them for you. One other thing. Some of the good canvas shops have "templates" for these dodgers. Island Nautical in City Island, Bronx, New York City has a template for a dodger for a CD27. They are a good canvas shop. Somewhat expensive but they turn out a first class product. You may be able to discuss this with them.

WarrenKaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY



Setsail728@aol.com

[Jeff Schmoyer]

My CD27 came with a dodger and the original factory mainsail.

I like it.

However, visibility immediately off the bow is slightly impared.

And because I'm 6'0 and 240lbs (so not exactly the svelte accrobat body type), yeah, it is a little bit of a duck and tuck operation to get through the companionway. But nothing that annoying.

The pro's of the dodger outweigh the cons by far.

Actually, even with the main fully deployed (including the extra luff pocket for light air) I think they could have made the dodger an inch or two taller. The boom never comes close to touching the dodger unless the main is actually dropped sans topping lift.

Jeff



jeff.schmoyer@iff.com

[Dennis Truett]

I had Dodger made for my 26 last year ($900) no problems with clearance with the boom, or access in the cabin

Dennis Truett
CD26D

My CD27 came with a dodger and the original factory mainsail.

I like it.

However, visibility immediately off the bow is slightly impared.

And because I'm 6'0 and 240lbs (so not exactly the svelte accrobat body type), yeah, it is a little bit of a duck and tuck operation to get through the companionway. But nothing that annoying.

The pro's of the dodger outweigh the cons by far.

Actually, even with the main fully deployed (including the extra luff pocket for light air) I think they could have made the dodger an inch or two taller. The boom never comes close to touching the dodger unless the main is actually dropped sans topping lift.

Jeff

[Randy Bates]

I just installed a bimini from West Marine on "Seraph" our CD25D. I got one that is 46" high, 6'3" long, by 68-74" wide. It mounts "backwards" just in front of the winches on the backside of the cockpit backrest, as high as it would mount. The "backwards" reference is to the fact that the pictures show the main bow going to the stern and folding to the stern, but with it reversed it lays on the coach roof just behind and inside the dodger and the bow that does go to the rear starts above the winch, so no interference. The boom rubbed so I took 2" off the main bow. Boom should just clear now. Haven't tried yet. I have no problem ducking under before I step out to go forward, BUT I'm only 5'8" and I can stand up under it and my head just touches the bimini. My 4'11" wife can jump rope under it. I was going to have John Bartlett (Bartlett Sails) make me a bimini. He wanted to make me a monster that would require moving the mainsheet, and raising the main boom. All this because he said I wouldn't be happy unless the bimini went out to the stern and all the way out to the rub rail. He then told me that just the bimini would cost $1100.00. He was wrong. Another reason why I prefer a tiller, I can sit and steer from anywhere the shade is. With the tiller extender I have I can steer from virtually any spot from the stern rail to the coach roof.

I was told by a reputable dodger maker that my boom was a bit low and a dodger would have to be made low to the companion way and it would make it diffacult to get in and out of my cabin. Does anyone have any first hand experiance with a dodger for a cape dory 27, and can you give me any suggestions.

randy.bates@baesystems.com

[skipper]

I just had a dodger installed on mt CD 27 #277. It looks great! Thurston Canvas of Warren, RI (they are a part of the Thurston Sails company) did the work. They have a pattern for the 27. The whole process was painless. I ordered the dodger in the fall and it was on my boat in May.



spyronica@aol.com