Make Your Own Dodgers?

[Stephen C. Crampton]

Given the high cost of dodgers, I wondered if it is practical to make your own? Specifically, are there any plans anyone has heard of?

My cousin and I were thinking we might try to make one with a wooden frame (our first try would be with scrap; then we would redo it in teak).

I wonder if anyone can suggest the best (and least expensive) sellers of teak or "dodger material" (I assume canvas or something similar plus clear plastic).

Thanks,

Stephen
"ELIZABETH" of Salem, MA
CD 22D



sailing@star.net

[Dana Arenius]

Stephen,

You can use teak if you like....it would be quite fancy. Most of the bows for dodgers are just stainless and fittings are available. You might want to consider "Sunbrella" for the fabric which is available by the yard. Also consider UV thread and you will need a heavy sewing machine.

I suggest you might want to get a copy of Defenders supply catalog.
Their web site is www.defenderus.com . There you will find most of the material.

Dana



darenius@aol.com

[Jerry Hammernik]

There is a pretty good set of instructions on making a dodger in the book This Old Boat. I borrowed a copy from our local library. I especially liked the set up they showed for bending the tubing. I'd hesitate to build it out of wood. The best would be if you could borrow one off a sister ship over the winter and use it as a pattern. Good Luck!
Jerry




dauntles@execpc.com

[Mike Quinlan]

Given the high cost of dodgers, I wondered if it is practical to make your own? Specifically, are there any plans anyone has heard of?

My cousin and I were thinking we might try to make one with a wooden frame (our first try would be with scrap; then we would redo it in teak).

I wonder if anyone can suggest the best (and least expensive) sellers of teak or "dodger material" (I assume canvas or something similar plus clear plastic).

I just finished making my own dodger for my cd28 sloop. I can't praise the Sailright company enough, both for their great sewing machines and their over the phone help. I bought the sr200 machine
from them and built a fine looking dodger in sunbrella and learned to sew at the same time. just last week I made a new sail cover, it turned out great. My next project will be a new Mainsail, availible
as a kit from sailright. The work is fun and satisfing and will seperate you from the wanabe sailers at the marina.
Mikie Q.

Thanks,

Stephen
"ELIZABETH" of Salem, MA
CD 22D

mikieq@erols.com