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Tomfoolery wrote: If you think you might use the boat with the mast down... ]

Excellent tip. Thank you

View from in the cockpit, looking up; the hole has to be big enough for the roller to fit through so you can get the connector over it while holding the mast up - a short slot to the hole would be better:



Galvanized pipe (24" long) with old spreader tube (12" long) around it; you can just see the top of the aluminium spreader tube peaking out of the helm socket:



1/2" schedule 40 pipe fits inside the mast crutch and spreader tube with very little play, and is plenty strong enough to support the mast crutch.

If you do this, I'd suggest you assemble the mast on the extended roller, then take a measurement from the bimini hoop to the center of the mast carrier strut. And pin the mast roller to the mast with the links to keep it stable. I also use a couple of lines to the deck to stop the mast from rocking side to side when under way, as that long lever puts a bit of load on the helm. Though it's not like the main sheet is all that gentle.

A couple other thoughts on dodgers, enclosures:
If you have a bimini and want a connector to the dodger ask yourself if you want the connector to be a window skylight or solid for shade? I made mine a skylight but when the sun gets hot i have to put a towel across it to keep the heat down. I have less window space on my side enclosure panels than most for extra privacy, but my whole enclosure was custom made to fit with the Dowser bimini I already had. If I had to be out in wet weather, sails down I could motor with full enclosure and see out the connector skylight to navigate with the bimini being so much higher than the dodger or just have the bimini up with the connector to the dodger and have line of sight forward plus open sides and stay dry.

As for the window doorway under the dodger I had dutch style doors made, two windows in the top half and solid canvas from the hatch slide to the traveller, adds privacy and light.I can also unzip the doors and snap the bottom inside corners up to the top outside corners for easy passage in and out without removing the doors.Have to say those doors are cool and everyone likes them.

I hadn't thought of a skylight on the apron connector. We were going to make the middle apron ourselves to link the new dodger and old bimini. A skylight window with a flap that rolls to one end or unrolls to Velcro or tie for shade might be a nice touch!

Doug

Doug W wrote:Wow! That view from inside the cabin really visually opens up the cabin!

G

Hey Doug,
We bought the kit from sailrite and did our own dodger. Based on the small cost difference and the number of hours spent I would say get BWY’s. Our main reason for making our own was existing hardware on deck that would not allow the wide dodger. I think that the real cost effective solution if you have a dodger and bimini is to then make your own enclosure. Sailrite also has a nice video for the enclosure. Highlander's version is wider in the back, but you could alter the pattern by adding side wings while keeping the same frame.
Good luck,
Seawind

We priced out a local guy to do ours as well, but was way more expensive. I'm pretty sure the guy that does BWY's canvas has templates for all the canvas (I'm sure Downsar does too) they sell and that is a big cost saver from someone local having to come and measure and custom fit one.

Just to clarify on some above posts FYI...I believe the BWY full enclosure on the X requires a wide dodger, but the M requires a narrow.

You're half right yukonbob... Unfortunately Dowsar DOESN'T have 26x templates...

RGF wrote:You're half right yukonbob... Unfortunately Dowsar DOESN'T have 26x templates...

Just FYI the Dowsar full enclosure for the was made for Dowsar by Genco marine

http://gencomarine.com/dodgers-biminis-enclosures/

J

beene wrote:

Doug W wrote:Wow! That view from inside the cabin really visually opens up the cabin!

G

Just askin but why does ur pedestal have a pink condom on it,s head !!!

J

Highlander wrote:

RGF wrote:You're half right yukonbob... Unfortunately Dowsar DOESN'T have 26x templates...

Just FYI the Dowsar full enclosure for the was made for Dowsar by Genco marine

http://gencomarine.com/dodgers-biminis-enclosures/

J

Thanks Highlander, I will definitely check w them!

Unfortunately they don't show a 26x either but I will call them tomorrow.

Genco Marina made a full enclosure for our 26M.

Few more pic's