Dodger/gas tanks

[Highlander]

The Dowsar Dodger has a 1" S/S Tubing & fittings two quick release pins allows u to fold the dodger frame either back or forward on the sliding hatch but u can still open or close the hatch the 1" S/S tubing & fitting r strong enough to add hold on handles if u wanted too , the dodger is attached to the dodger frame by two zippered roof pockets onto the dodger frame roof bows allowing it to b completely removed & folded no need to remove the frame , also the front window is zippered into place so can b removed to allow a breeze thro on those very hot days
Two reasons I have not added safety grab bars to mine is u,d have to remove one end of the handles to b able to still fold the dodger frame down & removed if u wanted to remove the dodger cover for trailering

I,m working on designing someway of overcoming that issue have a few Idea,s up my sleeve
The Dowsar dodgers & full enclosures r very pricey but all 1" S/S Tubing & fitting plus over 6ft standing room under the Bimini , Beene just had the Dowsar full enclosure & aft transom seats installed on his boat in 2016 & he is also very pleased with it as I am with mine

J

[jimmy alonso]

The tanks are easy to install I got new straps and the ground kit. Old straps we rotten they were 12 years old. Don't want a 17 gallon tank loose.
The first ground wire took a while to fish through the foam 2 hours, the 2nd one only ten minutes.

Upgraded the tanks because after last year hurricanes Irma and Maria some marinas where we would get gas going to the BVI may not have this year I always motor to St. John from Cabo Rojo, PR and then sail around the BVI's and sail back home. We would always reach St. Thomas with 3 or 4 gallons left.
I figure now at 6 knots should have a 135 NM range @1.5 gallons per hour.

Leaving home May 5th should be in the water May 7th 4 weeks off work Wife and daughter will fly in for a weekend.
Not hardcore just its safer on the water than trailering 100 miles to the other side of the island

[jimmy alonso]

Made this "windshield" years ago for the water in the face while motoring into waves and wind. Just roll it up when not needed.

[BOAT]

Is BVI where the the pirates are? Like Jack Sparrow? Or is that too far East? Are the pirates closer to the West Indie? Has anyone ever sailed to Mathew Town?

[jimmy alonso]

Pirates Bar

[slugbug]

Thanks Highlander for the dodger info I like the way the Dowsar dodger looks and wondered if I would need to have them install it or if I could have it delivered and install it myself? Delivery would be much less expensive than driving to their store I live in Wisconsin and I think they are about 500 miles away. At any rate I still have 14 inches of snow on the ground so going anywhere is out of the question.

[slugbug]

Jimmy that cover you made is really nice did you fabricate it yourself? The width seems much more appropriate for the job of keeping spray out of the boat than the BWY dodger.

[Highlander]

Thanks Highlander for the dodger info I like the way the Dowsar dodger looks and wondered if I would need to have them install it or if I could have it delivered and install it myself? Delivery would be much less expensive than driving to their store I live in Wisconsin and I think they are about 500 miles away. At any rate I still have 14 inches of snow on the ground so going anywhere is out of the question.

Another nice feature about the Dowsar dodger is it is a wide dodger but u can undo the wing,s & fold them inside to make it a narrow dodger when required or preferred


U can ignore the radar arch it,s a plastic proto one I designed but decided I did not like it !

J

[jimmy alonso]

Hi; Been back awhile now from our trip to the BVI's. Spent 19 days on the boat a bit less than other years.

About the 17 gallons tanks.

1. Never had a gas smell or leakage while motoring or sailing.

2. The extra range was really welcomed.

3. They tend to slide around when the seas were rough, (kind of scary when full) so I cut up a rubber mat my brother had and placed it under them and that solved that.

4. The gas float/measuring? device in the tank made noise when gas level was down to about 5 gallons. I plan on removing them. As the GPS/MFD was spot on with the amount left in them or just open and look at the gas level left.

5. Overall 100% glad I got them.

[BOAT]

Thanks for the report Jimmy - it sounds like a good deal - I think the tanks are going to be my next project.