Narrow Dodger

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
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nedmiller
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Narrow Dodger

Post by nedmiller »

For years I’ve been thinking about a dodger for our 26x. It would have to be the narrow dodger that BWY now calls the small dodger because of a couple mods. The photo on their site doesn’t give me a clear picture of how it is built or what it really looks like.

Can anyone tell me about these small dodgers? Are you happy with it? Do you wish you had bought the bigger one or something different or nothing at all? Can you ge side windows with screens instead of vinyl? Do you have the doors? Would you buy one again?...etc.
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Chinook
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by Chinook »

Main advantages of the wide dodger include the ability to add BWY's full cockpit enclosure to it, which is like adding a whole room onto a house. Greatly expands the living space of the boat, especially when it turns rainy or cold outside. Other big advantage is the fact that it's much more effective in protecting you from spray when cruising in rough waters. Also, I find the two ledges it creates, on either side of the companion way opening, to be handy places for setting things, protected from the weather. Only advantage with the narrow dodger, that I can see, is that it gives you more foot room when walking past it to get onto the foredeck. I've been moving around for years with the wide dodger in place, and find it to not be a problem. I'm curious what the mods are which preclude you going with the wide dodger.
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nedmiller
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by nedmiller »

Thanks, Chinook! We have a galley exhaust fan on the port side and a solar exhaust fan on the starboard side and I think the large dodger would cover both. Also, we have a custom arch and custom bimini which wouldn’t be a good match for the BWY full enclosure. I seem to be at a point where every MOD I have done interferes with one I want to do because of my MOD density! None of this I’m sure of because I haven’t actually seen a dodger or a full enclosure on a Mac.
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Russ
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by Russ »

I have the BWY narrow dodger (circa 2008) and have never seen the wide version in person. I went a season with it off and missed it and put it back on.

It's a great addition. I bought the clear plastic "doors" so we can expand the cabin and have a window. Allows lots of light in and more headroom even if raining. We also have the screens and the connector to the bimini (see photos). They might be able to replace the sides with screens, but I don't see the need. Anchor stern to and it acts like a giant wind scoop.

It's very easy to get past to go on deck and I use it as a "handle" to hold onto while going forward. Plenty of visibility and the clear plastic is holding up after 10 seasons.
I have no interest in the full enclosure, however, many who have it really like it. It's really nice to keep the cabin open if it rains or to keep evening dew out. It's marginal for spray. Better than nothing. The wide version might work better, I don't know.

mid connector - Keeps cabin and cockpit dry at anchor with wind/rain coming from bow. MUCH cheaper and easier to install than full enclosure.
Image

Large forward window has good visibility. Narrow dodger allows easy passage and ability to look around it.
Image
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nedmiller
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by nedmiller »

Thanks for the pics, RussMT! I have a better idea of what it is like now. I have an X but they are probably very similar. I think the mid-connector for the X requires the wide dodger.
I trailer for every trip and one of my concerns is adding more time to the launch.
Do you leave the frame attached and just take the canvas off for travel? How long does it take to reassemble?
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Bobglas
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by Bobglas »

I've got the narrow dodger on my M. Need to remove for trailering but that takes just minutes. Major improvement, makes the cabin feel much larger especially when its raining.
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Russ
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by Russ »

nedmiller wrote:Thanks for the pics, RussMT! I have a better idea of what it is like now. I have an X but they are probably very similar. I think the mid-connector for the X requires the wide dodger.
I trailer for every trip and one of my concerns is adding more time to the launch.
Do you leave the frame attached and just take the canvas off for travel? How long does it take to reassemble?
The mid connector to the bimini is Y shaped. It takes the narrow dodger to the wider bimini. Rarely actually use it, but when we do it allows cabin open and cockpit dry at anchor and wind on the bow. Poor man's full enclosure and easy to take down when the rain stops.

There are I think 6 quick pins and a few snaps to remove it. Takes 2 minutes to take down/put up. It can fold down, but we don't.

What I really like is the "glass door". Allows lots of headroom and space and totally closes in the cabin. Same with the screens.

--Russ
Y.B.Normal
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by Y.B.Normal »

RussMT wrote:I have the BWY narrow dodger (circa 2008) and have never seen the wide version in person. I went a season with it off and missed it and put it back on.

It's a great addition. I bought the clear plastic "doors" so we can expand the cabin and have a window. Allows lots of light in and more headroom even if raining. We also have the screens and the connector to the bimini (see photos). They might be able to replace the sides with screens, but I don't see the need. Anchor stern to and it acts like a giant wind scoop.

It's very easy to get past to go on deck and I use it as a "handle" to hold onto while going forward. Plenty of visibility and the clear plastic is holding up after 10 seasons.
I have no interest in the full enclosure, however, many who have it really like it. It's really nice to keep the cabin open if it rains or to keep evening dew out. It's marginal for spray. Better than nothing. The wide version might work better, I don't know.

mid connector - Keeps cabin and cockpit dry at anchor with wind/rain coming from bow. MUCH cheaper and easier to install than full enclosure.
Image

Large forward window has good visibility. Narrow dodger allows easy passage and ability to look around it.
Image
I just emailed Blue Water Yachts, they only have the narrow dodger available with the full cockpit enclosure.
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mallardjusted
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by mallardjusted »

The narrow dodger for a full enclosure is apparently only for the M. The X uses the wide dodger for the full enclosure:

http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/2107-1x0.htm
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nedmiller
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by nedmiller »

I agree the wide Dodger is needed for the full enclosure for the X. If I decide to buy the narrow dodger, we will have to make our own enclosure. I have a Bimini and I would at least like to make a connector piece to provide shade and a bit of rain protection. As we get older, sun protection is getting more important and the bimini isn’t as effective as I wish.
We don’t usually get too many mosquitoes when anchored out so maybe we don’t need too much more than better shade.
We plan on taking longer trips this year so it may become more important.
Y.B.Normal
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by Y.B.Normal »

I emailed BWY today. The reason the narrow dodger is the only option for the M full enclosure is that the deck is narrower than the X, and the wide dodger won't work with the full enclosure. You also must have the stern rail seats.
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kurz
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by kurz »

I just wonder why the dodgers all are made of textile cloth.
I can imagine that is very coll to open the hatch and close the dodgers when raining and water coming in. So why use truck tarpaulin?
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NiceAft
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by NiceAft »

kurz wrote:I just wonder why the dodgers all are made of textile cloth.
I can imagine that is very coll to open the hatch and close the dodgers when raining and water coming in. So why use truck tarpaulin?
I believe they use Sunbrella. I could be wrong. What would you suggest Kurz :?:

Ray
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kurz
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by kurz »

yes they use sunbrella. And it is NOT waterproof.

So my idea was to use a waterproof material.
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NiceAft
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Re: Narrow Dodger

Post by NiceAft »

Kurz,

I’m not sure a waterproof product would be better. Condensation on the walls maybe? I sit on Nice Afts cushions, and they don’t puddle with sweat the way vinyl does.

I have a Bimini made from Sunbrella, and I have never seen a leak in 14 years. I have cushions made from Sunbrella, and they have never leaked in 14 years. I am not claiming Sunbrella is waterproof, but it does such a superior job of protection, that it makes an excellent choice. If there is something better, great, but that dosn’t diminish the quality of the product.

Ray
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