Aussie Dodger

[Relackson]

I've decided that I'm sick of getting the cabin wet when it's raining and I go in and out of the cabin.

I'm looking to get a dodger - but I don't want to get a full-size one that will inhibit me getting forward. I'm aware of the Blue Water Yachts dodger that covers just the companion way - and the doors that zip onto it.

Questions to the Aussies: Has anyone put a locally made dodger on that doesn't inhibit getting forward? If so, does it do the job OK? How much was the cost?

Questions to the Americans: Has anyone put on the BWY mini dodger and the doors? If so, does it do the job OK? Does it fit under the boom alright? Also, the BWY site quotes CLEAR VINYL and SCREEN DOORS. What is the difference?

Hoping to stay dry.

Thanks

Stan

[sirlandsalot]

I have the bwy doger with vinyl doors and always use it. They keep all the water out, and the heat in.


Dave

[Berber Boy]

Dave, Up in BC you try and keep the heat in and down under we are always trying to keep it out! I guess we guys are never satisfied?

Dave

[Sea Shadow]

Stan,

I got my boat through Power Sailor Marine down at Phillip Island, Victoria!. They have worked with a local canvas maker and designed what you are probably looking. I got the dodger that they supply which only covers the raised section for the hatch, leaving easy access to the from from the cockpit. You might try them. I have photos of my boat with it on but can't figure out how to post at this stage. Try David at Power Sailor Marine - they have a web page

[yukonbob]

The small BWY dodger does not inhibit forward movement. The clear vinyl doors do a great job at letting light in and keeping the heat. I do not have the screen doors but should do the job you need them to do. We are getting a leather patch sewn onto the dodger top for where the mainsail cover rubs, other than that it's awesome to be able to keep the hatch open and let tons of light in when its miserable.

[Tomfoolery]

The small BWY dodger does not inhibit forward movement. The clear vinyl doors do a great job at letting light in and keeping the heat.

I had to look that up, since I didn't know what BWY offers and how it differs from the Dowsar canvas my boat came with.

I have to say, it looks pretty good for the money. Narrower than the wide one I have - mine is outside the winches, and I have to step on it where it lays on the cabin roof to go forward. Wide has advantages, but I find myself leaving it off for day sailing, and only putting it up when I'm going to overnight on the boat and want the whole shebang (full bimini/bridge/dodger, and sometimes all the side curtains, too). Much easier to see and sail without it in place.

Copied from BWY's web page. I hope they don't mind. http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... dodger.htm





My bimini, bridge, and dodger. Much wider, and the boat is an , though I don't know that it makes much difference as to the functionality.

[Three Gypsies]

We have a BWY fullsize dodger . We used it this past 8month cruise .
Our dodger is one of the best additions we have done to our boat !
It gives added height and some airiness to the cabin . We called it the loft .
It was fairly draft proof , we did have to spray the fabric with Camp Dry to stop it from leaking .

We ordered solid doors with ours . The sales lady said we were the first to ask for solid doors .
Our reasoning was for privacy in marinas and anchorages , when changing clothes .

[yukonbob]

FYI the BWY full enclosure only works with the narrow dodger...if anyone is planning on adding one at a later date.

[bartmac]

Ours looks like this
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/th ... a08154.jpg

Works well with our mid mount bimini which overlaps the dodger and is movable to allow a gap between our rear bimini and thus sailing with shade!!!!!
Mind you though if I had the money and use I would want weather proof sides... and removable/see thru.
The overlap dodger and bimini does protect the doorway from all but silly weather....all that said our Mac wouldn't be the same without the dodger!!!

[Russ]

We have the BWY dodger. The first year we didn't use it at all. It came with the boat, but I felt it was in the way. Next year I installed it to see what it would be like. Now we use it all the time. It does not get in the way, in fact, I find myself grabbing it for stability to walk up on deck.

Last year I bought those clear "doors" you see in the photo above. Great for keeping the heat in, rain out. Love them. I used to put clear hatchboards in, but this allows for a larger companionway.

The "screen" option would be for those with warm nights that want air down below, but not mosquitoes. Doesn't apply to us, but for those who want fresh air, that would be a great option.

I also bought the "connector" piece that connects the dodger with the bimini to make a single piece of cloth over the cockpit to the cabin. That works well also.

--Russ

[DaveB]

Here in Florida I made up a Sunbrella boom tent that goes over the boom and covers everything and overlaps the Bimini at anchorage.
Can also use it power boating in the rain while underway.
We don't need a dodger under sail. We batten down hatches and put on rain gear during a thunderstorm.
Dave

Dave, Up in BC you try and keep the heat in and down under we are always trying to keep it out! I guess we guys are never satisfied?

Dave

[yukonbob]

lots of light, extra headroom, and keeping the heat in, rain out, best of all worlds. Also forgot to inform that the dodger window tends to fog up if you have cabin heat.

[mrron_tx]

By the way.... If You ever plan on expanded Your dodger to the full enclosure.... BWY requires the stern rails seats as well. Ron. Dauntless.

[cptron]

I am planning on the full enclosure for Storm Walker and have finally gotten the boat bucks to do it. I am getting ready to get a quote on a custom job cause we want side curtains that can be screening or clear plastic depending on the weather. BWY does not come with screen panels when I called and asked. Plus hoping to get it made and installed for about the same price as the BWY full enclosure alone.
Wish me luck

[Relackson]

Thanks, fellas. I continue to be amazed - and so, so grateful! This forum (and its contributors) is just so bloody helpful. Lots to go on. Really appreciated.

Sea Shadow, thanks for the info. I know Dave personally - we are both members at Newhaven Yacht Squadron. He's been very helpful to me. He'll be my first point of action.

Great to hear the BWY little dodger is well regarded - and thanks for the explanation of the difference between clear vinyl and screen doors.

Thanks heaps.

Stan