Cruising_World_2016-06-07

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PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS and TECHNIQUES

HANDS-ON SAILOR

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JUNE/JULY 2016

2

The Strongest Splice

PAGE 106

1

An Evolving “Pram Hood”

PAGE 101

june/july 2016

cruisingworld.com

PROJECTS

S

ince dodgers fi rst

appeared on yachts in the

1950s, these little tents over

companionway hatches have

come a long way, from sim-

ple “pram hoods” — a term

still popular in the United

Kingdom — to complex struc-

tures resembling waterborne

Conestoga wagons. A good

dodger does wonders to pro-

tect a watchkeeper from nasty

weather. The hard part comes

when a dodger designer tries

to combine all-around protec-

tion for the crew with access

to cockpit winches.

All too often, dodgers

built for boats sailing south

through cold weather grow

into complete cockpit enclo-

sures that don’t allow enough

space to swing winch handles

when trimming sheets. It’s

best to discuss all the nuances

of boat operation with the

dodger maker, or even con-

sult a sailmaker for advice. The

accompanying photographs

show many clever takes on

good seagoing dodgers.

Creating a cockpit dodger

starts with shaping and install-

ing a framework of tubing. The

most popular dodger type is

made of fabric stretched over a

framework of^7 ⁄ 8 -inch or 1-inch

tubing. Creating a solid frame

anchored around the cockpit

with strong bases is the fi rst

and perhaps most important

step. Boats heading off shore

must use the heavier 1-inch

tubing. The fabric over the

frame will have panels of fl exi-

ble, clear PVC to provide visi-

bility forward and to port and

starboard.

On boats planning to sail in

warm weather, these window

panels should have zippers

around the edges so they can

be dropped or rolled up, per-

mitting the breeze to fl ow

freely and cool the space under

the dodger. For cold-climate

cruising, many sailors opt to in-

stall fi xed dodgers. To keep

weight down, such dodgers are

usually made of a fi berglass skin

shaped over a foam core that

provides the desired shape.

Planning to sail in the

higher, cooler latitudes but

also enjoy tropical destina-

tions? Cut openings in the

fi xed dodger to install light-

weight, hinged hatches that

will open or close as the

weather demands.

To my mind, a semirigid

dodger is the best model

for all-seasons sailing. It has

a fi xed, rigid roof that sits

on tube legs, as well as side

panels of fabric and clear PVC

that can slide into aluminum

channels in the edges of the

roof and the cockpit coamings.

The sides of the dodger can

be designed to roll up or

even slip off entirely when

Depending on your boat, deck layout and itinerary, there can be more than one way to protect

your cockpit, companionway and crew from boarding seas and heavy spray. BY TOM ZYDLER

1 ROGER, DODGERS

This perfectly built soft dodger allows easy operation of all

lines controlling the sails. The side panels and front panel

can be snapped off in good weather to provide cooling venti-

lation. Note the handholds built into the dodger frame.

TOM ZYDLER

3

Battery Booster

PAGE 110