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

whk and dbows have a good thread going on dodgers for the J30. I thought I'd transfer this discussion here so the subject would match the topic discussed.

whk, please do send or post your dodger pics when ready and the contact info for your supplier... I like the sound of the newer system you describe (stainless tubes and "strapless") and the price seems reasonable.

I have the newer version cockpit with combings so my measurements and application might be slightly different for the aft posts.

I like to do these kinds of things right the first time to minimize drilling and filling. It also has to be able to be disassembled quickly for racing ... a very key requirement. Thanks for your input.

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

Note - This was cut and pasted from another thread to make it easier to follow in this thread - WHK


PLB - I agree with you on the need for the dodger to cruise, and removal of it for racing.

The old frame is blistered and the plastic pieces are all cracked so I'm getting a new Stainless Steel frame with the dodger made of Pacific Blue Sunbrella material that includes windows and zip out side panels. Cost is $1450 installed. Neil Thurston met me at Rhapsody before starting work to go over the options. The new dodger will be slightly larger than the original (taller, extends further forward by about a foot, and extends about 9" further aft.

The new frame attaches at the top aft vertical surface on port & stbd outboard sides of the cabin. The original attached near the deck. The frame is removable with a single stainless screw on each side.

The old frame was pulled aft on each side with a webbed strap that clipped to a fitting on the deck inboard and about a foot behind the port & stbd winches. This will be replaced by a SS receptacle that will accept a bowed SS tube. This is what keeps the dodger extended. Neil hasn't finished the canvass yet, so he hasn't mounted the fittings and will do so then so they are properly positioned. We made sure that the dodger wouldn't interfere with the winches.

There will be new snaps mounted further forward on the deck, so there is a more gradual slope for the front of the dodger. I haven't decided yet whether to remove the old snaps, or just leave them there. If I take them out, I'm sure I'll need to fill the holes and match the faded gelcoat. I expect the new dodger to be complete by the last week in April. I can send pictures of the final install if you are interested.

Bill
Rhapsody - J/30 #348

Bill,

The dodger looks excellent. I hope Neil begins working on mine soon. I know I am not going to get it until the middle of the summer. I was very concerned about winch clearence and profile once folded.

Can you completely remove it with out to much trouble? It looks like it.

David
#397

David,

I was getting the boat ready for sanding and touching up the topside teak so took it off completely this morning. The canvas unsnapped from the deck, then I unzipped it from the forward and aft SS frame. This allowed me do lay the canvas out in the fwd V-berth without folding the plastic windows. Took about 3 minutes to disassemble.

I pulled off the frame (2 Phillips head screws and 2 quick release pins). I learned that I need to use Velcro to hold the aft SS arms from flopping around. The frame fits below and sits on the deck in the main cabin between the settees. I tried to move it to the fwd V-Berth. It's not going to fit in there. Now that I know that, I can take the entire dodger down and store it in 5 minutes.

Setting it up takes a couple minutes longer since you have to stretch the canvass to put the quick release pins in. I did it alone, but it would probably go much faster with another set of hands.

One clarification on the $1450 price I referenced previously. When I got the final invoice, the frame was an additional $200 and the total bill came to $1765.50 with RI sales tax. Still better than the other quotes I received.

Bill