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

I am considering getting a dodger as I do a lot more cruising than racing. It is not a cheap addition so I am curious to know if other owners have found it to be a worthwhile expense? Thank you

The dodger on my boat (which is for sale, by the way) is pretty nice for cruising and it looks good - biggest problem is that it really hinders sailing as it pretty well covers the deck top over the cabintop winches, cleats, etc.

You basically cannot use outer cabin winches when it is on, and the primaries are impeaded. I tend to use it in the winter when I have my cruising sails on, since its not too hard to use the furling jib and lazy jack main even with the dodger in place.

In the spring before the first race, the dodger and the frame come off and go to storage.

I think that a dodger could be designed to work well when sailing, but that dodger would be quite big and probably therefore ugly. Mine is very low profile and I think it has good lines.

If you look here (scroll down to pictures, last pic on 2nd row) you can see the frame attach points and the clips that hold it in place: http://kite.drunkensailor.org/?p=93

I've also attached a picture that shows the dodger itself.

Is it worth it? If you are somewhere cold and want to extend your cruising season, I'd say yes. If you are somewhere warm and think it would be good for sun and rain, I'd say no (unless you just motor all the time).

It sure has made for some very comfortable winter motors down the ICW to the boat yard, standing in the companionway with the tiller pilot remote in hand - but that's only a couple times a year for me.

-dan

Koos,

I only put the dodger on when cruising. I consider it a requirement for that, but do take it off otherwise. When cruising it really keeps the cabin dry from rain, yet permits air flow. It also provides some shade on a long cruise. I don't think my wife would cruise without it.

For racing - it just gets in the way. Particularly if the crew needs to shift side while tacking either with it up or folded. Tacking while cruising is a slow orderly event so not a problem. Tacking while racing you want to have people in the right place quickly - it just doesn't happen with the dodger.

When not installed, I keep the dodger in my basement so it has the added benefit that the sunbrella and plastic windows stay in good shape. I've got some good pictures and a description on my blog at this link.

Bill/Dan, sounds like a worthwhile addition to me, especially since the companionway hatch will be able to stay open when raining while sailing and at anchor. The primary winches on sonskyn-namaste are located behind the main sheet traveler and will not interfere with the dodger when tacking, thank you for the feedback.-Koos

Bill,
I have been considering adding a Dodger as well, and was pondering about the possibility to allow a dodger design that still allow the use of the secondary winch.

If we were to allow a change to the by-law so that we can remove the tertiary winches to eventually be replaced by a blocker for jib sheets and move inside the secondary winches - that will address this problem and others:
. Less expensive and less maintenance - only one winch instead of two.
. Stronger winch for halyard makes it also easier as well for weaker folks, youngster or elder.

Alternatively also reroute the jib sheet to the main - which I do quite also address the need for an additional blocker.

Any thoughts?

I did a small spray hood this year. It is out of the way and works great (for one, and keeping water out). Total cost was around $400

I like that spray hood John! could you post a couple of other pictures? And tell me about your reacher. Do you use it much? is it easy to hoist and take down solo? it sure looks good.

I have long considered get rid of the smaller winches and center the secondary winches between the edge of the cabin top and the companionway. With a dodger it makes good sense. What do you mean by a "blocker"? Is it a rope clutch to take up the jib sheet when the secondary winch is temporarily needed for other purposes?

The spray hood looks good to me too. My wife and I are considering pretty extensive cruising this summer and would like to stay out of the sun . Does any one have experience with a Bimini?

Georges - the modification to eliminate a winch would need to be discussed by the class and voted on for a rules change.

Personally I think this will not go over well as there has been a very strong effort to keep the class in a one design configuration. Removal and relocating a standard piece of structural equipment that can impact sailing performance would not be in the spirit of the OD rules. Many owners / crews use all the cabin top winches for racing, spinnaker trimming, and cross sheeting.