hard dodger

[Ixneigh]

I have considered a hard dodger but the problem of lowering the mast was an issue I was too lazy to deal with. I did think of having the hard dodger on the existing sliding hatch rails, that could be removed while the mast was being lowered and then replaced. During normal sailing the dodger would be locked in place and be a great hand hold while traversing the deck. It would of course be made of foamcore glass and be pretty light. It would fit under the mast when the mast was in the final trailering position.
Don't much like the folding or hinged door option the replace the companionway drop boards however. Not sure how I would tackle that problem.
Ix

[Wayne nicol]

hey Ix,
hear you, with it being a hurdle with the std rig- would have to figure out some method of clip on /off.
i plan on adding handrails on the top of mine- for that very reason, of going forward.
and also plan to have a window in the roof- just for visibility!!
i have been giving the doors a lot of thought...
and i am thinking two half doors- with the join line running vertically, then each door concertina hinging in the middle so the doors would only protrude into the cockpit a few inches- even been thinking of putting the same door setup in a frame, that slides into the existing slot, so that it can be removed if needed- i just hate that washboard- and we live in a rainy part of the country- in fact its raining right now...again

[Highlander]

Wayne
I think a hard dodger is an excellent idea been pondering on it for yrs , but will live with my dowser dodger for now ,
my concept would involve three windows, opening front windshield , 2 sliding side windows & utilizing the sliding hatch top as the roof this would be a slide in or snap in configuration , simply fold down for masting & unmasting or when ever not desired & or easily removed
with this concept u r only looking @ window & mounting track mods wadda yer tink

J

[Wayne nicol]

that is a good idea John.
and if the folding points were at different elevations- so to speak, it would obviously fold in on itself for travelling!!
and possibly with a easily removable roll bar, that positively locks into the rear side of it ( reluctant to say"back side" to a highlander!! )
that would really lock it up nicely, and possibly also allow for the traveller to be up top.

i have been thinking...with my longer boom( gaff rig) i might make a traveller arch that is integral to my davit's and behind the helmsman- further keeping lines out of the cockpit, and helping with the leverage of the bigger sail and longer boom( albeit only slightly)

i think in time i am also going to do your mod with the narrower helmsman seat- standing seat. and i think i will also reverse the angle on the pedestal- but this will have to come in time- but that will really open the cockpit of the up!

i do like your idea John!
the front shield could easily be in 2 pieces- giving a little bit of a V to the shape, but also allowing for a two piece window- a little safer when you get green water over the bow
make it look prettier too - methinks!

[Highlander]

Wayne
Here,s my Arch with traveler for rotating mast & backstay
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010006.jpg

it has since been modified since this vid was taken in the early stages of development
http://vid844.photobucket.com/albums/ab ... 0011-1.mp4

Just to help give u some ideas

J

[BOAT]

What about just modifying the existing MAC M sliding hatch to be a pop top?

[Wayne nicol]

thanks john, food for thought.....i am thinking i will incorporate it into my davit's that i am currently building- they actually bolt onto the transom, and are also a coolerbox carrier for fishing, and extra gas can carrier- the traveller arch will work well with that, especially if i attach it to the rear stanchions as well- will be plenty skookhum!!
i like the look of your setup!
boat, i think the pop top system is a great system, and dont know why they diod not carry that through all their designs, and as john was talking about- it might fit in well with his fold down windshield and side windows.
i am looking more for a permanent setup, and also want the aesthetics to fit in with the lines of the boat, and besides i wont have the mast transport issues that a hard dodger might have with the std mac rig. i also want to do away with that dastardly washboard- our climate is cool and wet, with lots of bugs at certain times- so we need easy in and out access to below, that is easy to close andc open many, many times a day.
i appreciate all the input, they are all valid ideas and i like them all- keep the ideas and input coming!!
cheers
wayne

[BOAT]

If the stock top had a swinging pop top so that is raised when you pulled it backwards then it could still be flush with the companionway opening. Then if you want a hard side instead of a soft side window you can just have a plexiglass aircraft windshield repair shop form you a wrap around plexi hard side that goes all the way around the opening created by the pop top.

That way the whole thing can be removed for trailering
That way it leaves room along the side to get to the mast
That way an extended "washboard" or door can fit across the entire opening.
That way it can be permanent if you just leave it on all the time
And most important - that way it will be strong enough to walk on without adding too much weight to the top of an already unstable boat.

[rogermann]

https://postimg.cc/5HQ4Lgvm



new to this forum, trying to figure out posting photos here, got a link on postimages so will try this. Attempting to post images of my 2005 26M with a removable hard dodger with no mods to the boat other than 4 stainless quick release clamps.

[Jimmyt]

Welcome!

Very nice! If you have any more shots of it, I'd like to see them.

If you look at the bottom left corner of the post entry box, you'll see a blue P, and the phrase, "Add image to post". Click that and follow the directions to pick a photo file on your device.

If you have trouble, give a shout and we'll try to walk you through it.

Neat mod!

[rogermann]

Thanks, lets see if this works.
I totally missed that blue P. add image to post. I have lots of photos, even the build. But just a few more details for now. It is made of 3/4 thick Coosa board which is stronger and lighter than ply. Since it is fairly smooth and impervious to water I only glassed the seams where the panels meet and then epoxied the entire shell, window cutouts, paint etc...
It removes in less than a minute, is not very heavy, and clears the boom by several inches. It does have to be removed for lowering the mast of course and best of all for me I made no changes to the boat except for the quick clips that hold it down. It sits on top of the plastic rail and does not interfere with top or door.
Thanks again for the help,
Roger

[Inquisitor]

https://postimg.cc/5HQ4Lgvm

new to this forum, trying to figure out posting photos here, got a link on postimages so will try this. Attempting to post images of my 2005 26M with a removable hard dodger with no mods to the boat other than 4 stainless quick release clamps.

I second JimmyT's request... More please?



Posting Images - It is a little different than most other forums. There are two ways that I know of:

1. If your image has an Internet address use the upper button and put in the link and it'll show nearly full width of this forum.
2. Otherwise use the link just below the edit window (see image) and a window pops up that you can upload or cut/paste an image into. It'll only show a link in your editor, but doing a preview or posting will show a thumbnail that can be clicked to get the full size image.

Good luck.

[rogermann]

ok, thanks, will try, hopefully I will learn quick. I will get together some more photos and post all at once. I have a few other mods as well.

[Starscream]

Interesting project, I hope it works out!

I would loooove a hard bimini to hold the solar panels. I have them velcroed to the sunbrella bimini right now and I don't like the sag they cause.

[rogermann]

Here is a few more of how it looks with sliding top closed and the quick hold downs. I did not like the sage in the Bimini as well. I put solar on my arch and supported the arch with stern seats. Because of the panels location and being adjustable I can place them even to the mast and not remove trailering. Roger