Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: britinusa on November 02, 2019, 05:15:36 AM

Title: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 02, 2019, 05:15:36 AM
It's finally time to replace our Dodger. If anyone has seen a quote for a new dodger and choked on the price, don't!

I've posted my first blog post on the process of building our new Dodger, it includes a spreadsheet of the initial costs, I thought it would be around $650, but that's already $200 short!
So far, the estimated cost of Materials is over $800 and I expect it will take at least 5 trips to the boat for initial prep, templating, construction, initial fitting and adjustments. Just doing that many trips to the boat for a business would cost $500 let alone the cost of actual construction. Not sure how long the project will take, but I'm guessing around 20 hours of construction as well, and that would be another $1,000 at $50 an hour and what business can afford to only charge $50 per hour for quality work (I've been sewing for nearly 4 years now and have quite a few projects under my belt, plus about $2000 worth of machine, and tools and I'm just a hammer chewer!)

Here's a link to the blog article. (https://www.sailingeximius.com/2019/11/updating-dodger.html)

Paul
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Jon W on November 02, 2019, 10:06:14 AM
Quite a coincidence. Thinking about making a bimini and was just looking at Marine Parts Depot bimini/rail hardware. I see you're using some of their parts. How does the quality look, are the parts they sell made by Suncor? Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 02, 2019, 11:37:59 AM
I've been buying from http://marinepartdepot.com/ (http://marinepartdepot.com/) for at least 7 years, their stuff is very nice, the SS is very highly polished (IMHO), they ship within a couple of days and typically arrive within a week.

Paul
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Jon W on November 02, 2019, 01:00:06 PM
Do you know who the manufacturer is? Wondering if it's Suncor, or do they make their own stuff.
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 03, 2019, 09:22:08 AM
to my recollection, the pieces are unbranded. Sorry. I can check them closely during the week.

Paul
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Ed Shankle on November 04, 2019, 04:58:50 AM
Paul,
I noticed you didn't mention thread type on your materials list, so I thought it would be worth suggesting Teflon thread. A couple years ago I needed some repair work done to my dodger, including restitching where seams had failed. The glass and sunbrella were still in good shape so a wholesale replacement wasn't necessary. The person I was working with from the canvas company told me when returning the dodger that he had the shop use Teflon thread, saying it would last much longer than the regular thread. This being my second time around with seam failures since owning TailWind, I was appreciative and hopeful.  It's only been a couple of years, so the jury is still out. But it would be nice if the life of the seams can be moved closer to the life of the glass and cloth!

Regards,
Ed
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Roc on November 04, 2019, 08:44:12 AM
Paul,
I remember seeing a thread on this site from someone that bought all new canvas directly from Catalina Yachts.  They have OEM patterns and if you give them your hull number, they would make the exact OEM design for your boat.  I remember the post said if you don't mind the same canvas with no "upgrades" the price was very good.  Not sure if you searched this site for a post like that.
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Ron Hill on November 04, 2019, 02:06:26 PM
Paul : The "life of the material thread" is Gortex or PTFE (Profilen) thread. It is well worth the extra money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :thumb:

A thought
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 05, 2019, 06:47:59 PM
I use Profilen for all of my outdoor projects.  :clap
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: crieders on November 12, 2019, 11:28:55 AM
i was looking into a new zippered sail cover held up by lazyjacks. any thoughts?
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 12, 2019, 11:43:31 AM
When we bought new sails 2 years ago, we also got a new 'Cradle Cover' after 2 years, I'm not impressed.

If I were to redo (myself) the cover I would change a few things.

1. Have the top zipper run on a continuous line so that it can be opened/closed from either end of the boom.

2. Have drain holes in the bottom seam (where the two sides meet) every few inches to prevent water lakes inside the cover.

3. Have Lazy jacks that can all be pulled down to the boom with the cover rolled (for racing)

4. Have the aft end of the cover held up similar to the way Mac Sails does it, rather than by a line that attaches to the topping lift.

If I made it myself, it would cost a fraction of what we paid, I was feeling flush at the time because we had just sold our old boat.

:santa

Paul
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Ron Hill on November 12, 2019, 02:50:47 PM
Cliff : If you want zippers to last (damage from the UV) use black zippers NOT white.

A thought 
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Phil Spicer on November 13, 2019, 07:29:37 AM
   Ron, Thanks for the tip on using black zippers. I have 4 vertical zippers in my sail cover for the lazy jacks. I have had to replace
them because of UV damage. I plan to make a new sail cover this winter and will change to the black zippers. In fact, all of
the white zippers on the dodger and bimini have been replaced because of UV damage. Good thought Ron.  :clap
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 15, 2019, 05:32:44 AM
Also... When you make the new, ensure that the zips have a cover. Sailrite often refers to them as a 'tail' in their videos. I've seen a bunch of zips that are basically destroyed by UV when left uncovered.
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on November 17, 2019, 08:29:07 AM
Dodger Frame extensions have been added, just need to cut them to the correct length to ensure the Frame is below the minimum boom height.

https://www.sailingeximius.com/2019/11/updating-dodger-modifying-frame.html (https://www.sailingeximius.com/2019/11/updating-dodger-modifying-frame.html)
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: Ron Hill on November 23, 2019, 01:50:12 PM
Guys : For safety, you can't have too many handles on the outside of your dodger  - both sides and aft as well!!

A thought   :clap
Title: Re: New Dodger
Post by: britinusa on December 05, 2019, 08:05:13 PM
I'm with you Ron.

When the Dodger is complete, there'll be an additional 'hand rail' that will reach from the forward handrail bolt on the Dodger forward and down to the cabin top just aft of the wooden handrail on each side.

Making great progress. Today I finished the Top and the Front Window Panel. Friday I start on the side windows. My appreciation for the amount that the pro's charge grows daily! I'll be updating the cost details when it's all done.

Paul