Jump to content
Crew.org.nz

Spray dodgers


Guest

Recommended Posts

Need a quick answer

 

I am meeting canvas guy tomorrow, When building a dodger how have people made them so they can be used while sailing iff the wind, looking around the marina most dodgers would be taken out but the main shheet system ?

 

Kurt

Link to post
Share on other sites

im yet to think of a sensible way to do a dodger on a stewart....realy low on the cabin top id think and maybe a lee cloth type thing to hide behind when at the helm bashing upwind. trouble is the side decks are so narrow and the cabin sides are near vertical anything done might look silly.

Link to post
Share on other sites

We race with ours up, actually get a rating drop under irc for it.

We always undo the leeward end clip off the wind so the main sheet clears, and you need to watch out for uncontroled gybe.

If I was starting from scratch I would build it so it was clear of the main sheet on all points of sail then put bungy ties on the aft end instead of clips so it's held in position but has some give.

Always easy to replace a bit of shock cord when needed.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally I hate the things. You lose so much visibility and gain very little protection. (the wind isn't usually coming from straight in front of you). I'd invest the money in an awesome boom tent - keeps off the sun and the rain when anchored or motoring or sailing with headsail only.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have to admit i hate the look of the things, espiecilly on a Stewart, However it can mean the hatch wont have to be shut as much, and it gives you some protection when on the nose for days on end, if big enough a little sun protection in those real hot summer days,

 

When racing across the atlantic we got smacked by a real big squall that lasted 3hrs the four crew hid under the dodger to keep watch, it was raining and spraying so hard you could not look into the wind, Dodger made all the difference. and meant we could still keep watch.

 

Also the race spend is over 40 k and the wife has not said a word about it

 

When i mentioned doger and warm crusing in the same sentence............ big points

 

So race 40 k and dodger 2 k ...................... wife happy

 

I think it is cleaver marketing on my part

 

Kurt

Link to post
Share on other sites

The other thing to take into account is the amount of water that they keep out of the boat, offshore the odd wave splashing a spoonful of water adds up to a cup every hour which adds upto a wet boat.

The benefits of a dry boat when sailing long distances short handed cannot be underestimated

Link to post
Share on other sites

It added up real fast and i thought i would spend about 20, but the invoices have kept comming in, Pelagian has always been highly maintained, so no real birthday involved just all things we we needed

 

With out going into to much detail

 

1) We rewired the whole boat, inc 2 big house batteries, switch boards and a 120 amp allternator,

2) Serviced life raft

3) New rigging and life lines

4) Fitting ssb

5) New main, Number 2 and small kite

6) Fitting more bildge pumps

7) Changing two skin fittings

8) New prop/ Strut and dripless seal

9) New injectors on motor inc water pump

10) Inflating Jon bouy

11) New auto pilot

12) Wind insruments

13) $ 490 worth of charts

14) Locks on all opening hatches below ( roll proffing )

16) Try sail

17) Proper emergency steering system that will work not just get a tick

18) Spray dodger

19) Spares

20) New spinlock life jackets

21) All new Sail handling strings

22) More fire extingusher

 

There is more i just cant think of it

 

Kurt

Link to post
Share on other sites

I Just put togeather a post with cost beside each item and came out at 45,when i posted it disapeared and i am not doing it again

 

I know 3 mths ago skins asked me if i had hit 40k yet and i thought there is no way it will cost that, He was right itt adds up fast, What is really scary is the race at most is 35 days that comes in at $1200 dollars a day ???? do you know how many wild women i could have got for that lol

Link to post
Share on other sites

adventure costs ......but life would bevery dull without it....

i think back at the motorcycle raod racing i used to do and think where i would be if i hadn't competed .... and not necessarily a lot richer ...as i would of spent the money on other things.... but was generally in the NZ champs ...around 5k per weekend....

Link to post
Share on other sites

First time I got Island Time up to cat 1 cost 65K - in 2002....

This time before we left in 2010, starting with the Solo Tasman, about 20k. Motorbike, I think only one boat (Wishbone) had sponsorship in to 2010 race. Who is the boat you mentioned, and who are the sponsors!

 

Offshore sailing is expensive, and becoming more so..... :(

Link to post
Share on other sites

I would agree, yes it does cost and like you i would not change one bit, i have had a great time gettting the boat ready, and would recomend anyone looking at this kinda thing to do it, you wont regret it. Just make sure you allow enough time to line the ducks and $$$ up, also find a crew member that is not just along for a free ride. My two handed mate has more than just spend hours working on the boat he has also put his hand deap into his pocket to make it work for us both. There has been 100 % buy in from us both.

 

And as for saftey Gear i dont think if the moment arose that you had to climb into the life raft you would be saying Gee i wish i had brought a cheaper one

 

Kurt

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...