Typhoon sailors; advise/opinions on a dodger?

[Pete S]

Can I get some feed back on dodgers?
Has anyone local to me (Buzzards Bay) had one made?
Or, is there someone that has made them for other Ty's that I can contact.
Also, any plans or pictures of ones made.
Additionally, for next season, a jib furling system is on the want list, I'm not sure if that has any effect on a dodger?
Lastly, any off the shelf awning/cockpit covers around?

[Troy Scott]

Pete,

As you probably know, Island Nautical makes nice dodgers. But so do many local craftsmen (and women!). The main thing is to get a stainless steel frame, not aluminum. Also insist that it be sturdy enough to use as a handhold. You'll want removable covers for the windows both for shade and for UV protection of the plastic. Whatever fasteners are used to attach the fabric to the cabin top need to be well bedded to keep water out of the balsa core. I can't remember if my Ty had a seahood or not. Some folks attach the cover to the sliding companionway hatch. Mistake! If there is a seahood, attach the forward end of the cover to that. If there is no seahood, just let the cover stretch across the sliding hatch so you can move it with the dodger up.

[Tod Mills]

Here is my dodger, made by a previous owner of the boat. As you can see, it only covers the companionway and does not offer protection to someone sitting at the fwd end of the cockpit.

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-Wilf ... chored.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/NC04a09 ... hannel.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-BellCove.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-Wilf ... hored2.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-dodger.jpg>

It screws to the companionway slide retaining strips:

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-dodger1.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-dodger2.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-dodger3.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-dodger3.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-dodger4.jpg>

[Paul McCary]

If you search on Typhoon dodgers, you'll get a wealth of info, manufacturers, installation, pictures and some insights into the related issue of boom height.

[Oswego John]

Hey Tod,

The dodger is nice, but what caught my eye is that practical ladder on the transom.

Pretty nifty.

O J

[Pete S]

Thanks for all the information everyone and good pictures also Todd, nice boat not many around these parts.
My first price back from a local for the dodger was $2500..yikes!

[Oswego John]

Pete,

Yikes is right. Several times I've sold fully found Ty Weekenders for a tad more than they are asking for a dodger.

As a matter of fact, I MAY be selling two more Ty W/Es soon. I'm thinking of clearing out some inventory but I want to doll them up first.

Well, I went this far, I might as well tell you the rest. Very soon, I'm going up near Boston to pick up another Ty W/E that I bought.

The sad part is that I have to look for a local chapter of Boats Anonymous. When it comes to boats, I'm like a woman passing a display of earrings. I'm helpless. I can't overcome the magnetic attraction.

All kidding aside, years ago, I decided that too many fine boats were rotting away and abandoned. For some reason, I zeroed in on CDs, especially Tys which I could more easily transport and also fit into my barn for working out of the weather. I have put a few project boat Tys back in the water where they were intended to be.

But I think that this might be the last one, I'm getting on in years. It's not that I don't still enjoy polishing gems. The spirit is willing but the body is getting weak. I'm not there yet, but I'm pushing 80 years. It may be time for me to go on sabbatical leave.

$2,500.00 for a ragtop? (no insult intended) Yikes.

12 step John

[Pete S]

John,
They are nice little boats, I've met quite a few people who have moved on to larger boats but haven't parted with their Ty's. Just for the record, that's about what I paid for mine also.
I know I'll never recover the money if I start putting on "improvements" like dodgers. I ask myself all the time, "what are you crazy? you can probably buy a bigger boat with a dodger, roller/reefing furling already on it for the same combined money!" I do a lot of single handed sailing, so I'm always talking to myself But, there is a limit, I'm still reasonably sane, I'll make my own before I shell out that much. I think anyway, we will see if cold Oct all spray changes my mind.
Pete