J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Dodgers

Ok - the new dodger is installed on Rhapsody and looks great. I posted some pictures and descriptions of the different views to this website: http://j30rhapsody348.blogspot.com/p/j30-rhapsody-new-dodger.html

Initial impressions at the dock are very favorable, and I only have one minor complaint. When the frame is folded forward, you have to lift it up to rotate the handles on the rope clutches. I don't see that I'll have the dodger on at all during racing, so it is only an issue if the dodger is down while cruising.

Neil Thurston did a nice job on providing access and clearance for winch handles and all lines. The side panels are in two sections. When at the dock with the dodger up, both sections would be in. When cruising, the aft section would be removed at a minimum for tailing winches. If it is a nice day, both side panels would be removed.

One major difference from the old dodger is the new one has a zipper on the inside for both the forward and aft frame. This allows the canvas to be completely removed from the frame for storage. The canvas on the old dodger was sewn onto the frame and was on unless you pulled it off from the ends.

I'll get some sailing experience with it underway this weekend as we move Rhapsody from the boat yard in Fall River to our slip in Newport.

FYI - here is the contact info for where I had the dodger made:
Thurston Canvas
112 Tupelo Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Tel 401.254.0970

Bill
Rhapsody - J/30 #348