Dodger or no dodger??

[fishstalker7]

Hi all,

I've been looking at BWY's dodger setup for the 26m since I bought the boat and still can't figure if I need it?

In open water, there can be a lot of spray on any boat (plus for a wide/deep dodger)...but I usually sail solo and just put in the hatchboard and close the hatch! If I do go below, it's very brief...and I can step over the hatchboard, open/close the hatch (quickly)...get what I need...and repeat the opposite with a few towels laid over the sensitive areas below (batteries, electronics, etc) to absorb spray/mist as I transit the opening.

If I have the dodger, no hatchboard and hatch open or closed...I'm still getting salt mist/spray below...into the power center of the boat...nogo.

If I have dodger with doors, I now can't duck below as fast (unzip time) or risk leaving them open to the elements (as if I didn't have them and back to towels for protection)!

If family is aboard and I am in conditions to need a dodger (10+ hours crossing of open water), they won't be likely to stay below to combat possibility of seasickness...in which case why not seal below with hatch and hatchboard!

At anchor in FL rain (heavy)...dodger and doors could be nice to stand and look around while dry...until the sun intensity causes them to leak over the years...and again, why not the hatchboard and hatch closed...look out the windows instead?


What am I missing from those of you who have the above setups (dodger and dodger plus doors)(not full cockpit enclosure...too hot in FL)??


On bigger boats with side gunnel access to the foredeck, a dodger is necessary to keep water/bow spray/mist out from down below/cockpit...but on the 26m, if you did that type of dodger...no access to the foredeck or water/mist/spray below??

Thanks for your help and advice in advance!

Fair winds,

David

PS...here are the links to the two setups I am contemplating:

Dodger: http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... dodger.htm

Dodger with doors: http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... _doors.htm

[yukonbob]

In case you plan on eventually getting the full enclosure from BWY the wide dodger is not compatible. Underway with the narrow dodger and the doors open, little to no water will enter the cabin. At anchor with the doors open rain will make its way in. If you have the bimini and the dodger you can limit the amount of rain intrusion by connecting the mid-connector. This is a nice setup for cruising in the rain, and does a little to limit the spray. The dodger alone does very little (absolutely nothing IMO) to protect the captain from spray underway and I don't think the wide version would fair much better.
You are spot on that the dodger with the doors makes the cabin much brighter and more livable and it's nice to stand up there when its nasty, dry and warm with a cup of coffee and see whats going on around you.

[mrron_tx]

Ditto what Yukonbob said I passed on the dodger door because I have the full enclosure...... but might order the screened ones for air flow and bug slowing down Ron.

[trdprotruck]

In case you plan on eventually getting the full enclosure from BWY the wide dodger is not compatible.

Are you sure about' this? I think it is wide dodger that is compatible and not the narrow.

"Full Cockpit Enclosure from $2,723.00
The full enclosure combines the Wide Dodger, Bimini, Mid Connector, and Side and Rear Curtains to completely enclose the cockpit. Available for M26X and M26M"

http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... losure.htm

I'd be pretty disappointed if this was not the case.

[Tomfoolery]

I have the full Dowsar enclosure, but prefer to go without the dodger (just the bimini), as the visibility is much better without it. But the downside is that I can't put up the bridge section with no dodger, and of course, it's even more work to put up the side curtains since the dodger has to be there to start.

But my boat came with bifold plexi doors, not particularly well made, but functional. I put them on when overnighting, as it's very easy to close the doors against the weather with them, and still have daylight. The standard one-piece hatch board can still be put in place when I want to lock it.

[yukonbob]

In case you plan on eventually getting the full enclosure from BWY the wide dodger is not compatible.

Are you sure about' this? I think it is wide dodger that is compatible and not the narrow.

"Full Cockpit Enclosure from $2,723.00
The full enclosure combines the Wide Dodger, Bimini, Mid Connector, and Side and Rear Curtains to completely enclose the cockpit. Available for M26X and M26M"

http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... losure.htm

I'd be pretty disappointed if this was not the case.

"Wide Dodger $750.00

Similar to the dodger above, but just a bit wider to provide more protection while still allowing access to the foredeck. Compatible with the full enclosure. Available for M26X only"

For the its the narrow dodger as I have installed. I never noticed but it appears the wide one is for the only!? You should be Ok trdprotruck. Also keep in mind if you want the stern rail seats you'll want the larger bimini as when/if you get the full enclosure youll need it.

[fishstalker7]

All,

Thanks for your thoughts...I do have a bimini now with solar on top (works great btw). I can see the luxury of standing in the companionway at anchor under the dodger/doors combo in the rain, but it's not necessary (I'm 5'9" and can stand under the closed hatch) and I'm mainly concerned about bumpy, open water passages.

I think I would need to have the hatch closed and hatchboard in place even with a dodger up in rougher waters??

Sailing in 3-4' (5-6' on set waves) seas is common and often at a wet angle...though the doors in theory would help, I think they would stay open longer and slow down my ingress/egress of going below quickly by just sliding the hatch open and stepping over the hatchboard?

And I don't think with just dodgers and doors I could leave the hatch open and no hatchboard in place in really wet conditions??

Thanks again in advance...it's tough figuring it out without being on a boat with a dodger in wetter conditions...the hatch and hatchboard has worked thus far fine in those conditions...trying to figure out if the dodger and/or doors would be a quantum leap forward in my experience.

Am I missing anything in my 26m dodger analysis?

Fair winds,

David

[Wayne nicol]

this is why i am in the process of building a hard dodger- with real windows- that i can see through- and doesnt leak, with proper opening doors , so that i can do away with the washboard and sliding hatch.
just what works for me in our wetter environment.

[yukonbob]

All,

Thanks for your thoughts...I do have a bimini now with solar on top (works great btw). I can see the luxury of standing in the companionway under the dodger/doors combo in the rain, but it's not necessary (I'm 5'9" and can stand under the closed hatch) and I'm mainly concerned about bumpy, open water passages.

The admiral sits in the companionway while underway in same conditions staying dry

I think I would need to have the hatch closed and hatchboard in place even with a dodger up in rougher waters??

Unless you have green water coming over the cabin top it'll keep heavy spray and rain out

Sailing in 3-4' (5-6' on set waves) seas is common and often at a wet angle...though the doors in theory would help, I think they would stay open longer and slow down my ingress/egress of going below quickly by just sliding the hatch open and stepping over the hatchboard?

The zippers can be a PITA. Even side spray doesn't really make its way in while underway. Unless you are throwing spray and the wind could somehow blow it from the aft into the open doors theres no real way for water to get in, even with the doors open. Driving rain can get the cabin wet, but thats what the doors are for

And I don't think with just dodgers and doors I could leave the hatch open and no hatchboard in place in really wet conditions??

It works with a positive drainage plane in that it overlaps to drain away. We can get some serious rain and wave conditions and we have no issues. I treat with sealer every year as in heavy weather water can pool on the bimini and start dripping through the fabric

Thanks again in advance...it's tough figuring it out without being on a boat with a dodger in wetter conditions...the hatch and hatchboard has worked thus far fine in those conditions...trying to figure out if the dodger and/or doors would be a quantum leap forward in my experience.

Am I missing anything in my 26m dodger analysis?

Fair winds,

David

Nice and bright

[yukonbob]

this is why i am in the process of building a hard dodger- with real windows- that i can see through- and doesnt leak, with proper opening doors , so that i can do away with the washboard and sliding hatch.
just what works for me in our wetter environment.

Also as Wayne points out the forward window can be a pain as well (plastic window and fog). Not as bad with just the dodger as compared to the full enclosure.

[fishstalker7]

Wayne and yukonbob,

First, thank you for your thoughts!

So are you saying that with the dodger and doors, visibility forward can be a problem from the plastic windows fogging up from moisture on the inside of the mini-enclosure they form?

And I avoid fitting, zipper and fatigue issues not equipping the doors?

If I go with just the dodger, it would give some good spray protection during passages with the hatch open/no hatchboard and only a little water would get below without the hatchboard in place?

And I could see some value in a passenger below sitting in the companionway and looking forward thru the dodger during passages without having to get wet in the cockpit from spray (though in the seas encountered typically...most stay above decks to avoid seasickness)?

Thanks again!

David

[fishstalker7]

And thank you to the other contributors as well!

I'm not planning anything other than my current bimini and possible dodger (and maybe the doors) due to the heat down here. We need airflow below at night and even a dodger can restrict that...thus the dilemma on the value of adding just a dodger for spray control/below access when we do passages.

Thank you again,

David

[Wind Chime]

On our , we have the wide-dodger with the full-enclosure, along with 2 sets of companionway doors (1-plastic, 1-screen)

We sail/motor in extremely crappy pacific ocean sea-state and wind conditions, and cannot image cruising without at least the dodger up. Having our dodger up stops a lot of wind and water from coming into the cockpit when underway, either bow splash or the tops of breaking waves that are blown off by the wind.

Cruising with the dodger up, with the hatch open and no companion way slide-cover in place, is usually not a big issue for us - except in extreme ugliness. Surprisingly little water gets below, but we have had some rain down the companion stairs, but not much - and it rains like hull here in the Pacific Northwest.

On occasion, I will put the companion-way plastic doors on while underway and just do up the top zippers, but leave the center zipper open to get through when going below.

The most water we have ever shipped (had go below) via the companionway opening, was by taking green water over the bow, then running aft on top of the deck, and under the dodger into the open hatch. (big steep waves). The only time I have put the companion way cover on to shield against water, is running downwind and getting pooped. (large waves coming over the transom, and forward into the cockpit sole towards the open companionway)

ps
The center section of the forward part of our dodger rolls-up, so when coming into dock or crowded transit we can just roll it up for better visibility.

[fishstalker7]

WindChime,

Thanks...that helps a lot. Your experiences are what I have experienced on larger boats with dodgers...where the dodger goes more to the sides and back down the cockpit.

It just seems the 26m dodger is narrow and on top of the companionway...which I'm having a hard time getting my mind around how effective it is vs being in the way (boom interference while sailing/topside access)??

And I have 3 kids climbing about too...so factoring in it being used too much for a handhold as they go topside.

And due to the heat here, the doors would only be on for passages/spray protection...in which case in larger/steep waves...I'd still have to protect (hatch closed) against the bow digging into the face or getting pooped (hatchboard in)...so maybe I don't need one??

I may just need mental health aid from over thinking this!!

Thanks for your thoughts!

David

[cptron]

You talk about it being hot and then standing in the companionway with the hatch closed drinking coffee. You also state that the dodger would block more ventilation below.
This does not make sense. If you want more ventilation then leave the hatch open to let more hot air out letting the dodger work to keep the wet out works great especially at anchor when the nose is pointed into the rain. It is even more beneficial with the connector piece as previously mentioned. You can have plenty of ventilation with the dodger doors if you get the screens on those hot days. If it rains bad enough to come in the hatch then nothing short of a full enclosure or hatches closed would help keep the rain out which is going to be stifling hot below.
I believe you are overthinking this. There have been more positives with the dodger than not having one for us. The wife and I like ours and would not do without one again. It saved a lot of spray while going to Bimini. I can definitely say that any dodger is better than no dodger (for us anyway).
That's my rant and 2 cents for what its worth.