[C320-list] Dodger Replacement

[Utility Email]

Jeff,

Yes, the dodger center window unzips entirely as do the dodger clear side window panels as well.  This just leaves the Sunbrella dodger top in place, kinda like a mini-bimini just for the companionway.  It helps keep the boat and the galley areas cool in full sun.  

The dodger frame (and side and rear handholds of course) is still intact and structural.  It is really, really nice for those couple of weeks of very hot summer weather in the PNW when you want to be out of the sun but not out of the breeze.  It would have been awesome to have that dodger set up when we kept our boat berthed in San Diego.  However, we never felt the need for a dodger when we had our boat in San Diego.   

So we just store the Makrolon window panels under our aft berth (the same place we store our flexible 125W solar panel (when it is not deployed on top of our real cockpit bimini). 

A great system all in all. 

We also had Iverson's fabricate matching Captain Navy Sunbrella covers for our Makrolon windows that we deploy when we put the boat away.  These have done a nice job of keeping our window panels clean, clear, and scratch free while our boat sits in her slip. 

Our old dodger and cockpit camper canvas enclosure on our previous sailboat had the flexible plastic windows.  It was like a sun room for our boat. Great for when our kids were small.  We also liked them in their ease of use.  However, I didn't like how they fogged, scratched and scuffed up when we rolled them up (especially the center dodger panel) and fastened them with their snap tethers to keep them rolled up.  So we figured with our new dodger, we would go with optically clear acrylic widows that we would have to store flat instead. 

It turns out, we have more "out-of -the-way" flat spaces to store these "stiff" acrylic window panels on our C320 than we have places to store bundles of rolled up "soft" vinyl windows.  Who knew!?!  Not us. It was just a pleasant outcome of wanting optically clear dodger windows!

Dave

David B. Swanson, P.E., S.E.
Principal, LEED AP
Director, Structural Group

Reid Middleton, Inc.
(425) 741-3800 office
(425) 741-5011 direct
(425) 508-7971 mobile

www.reidmiddleton.com

> On Feb 18, 2016, at 4:30 AM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
> Dave,
> 
> Iverson is pure artistry. Their work is really quite impressive, especially
> in the details.
> 
> If you have a Makrolon center window that opens, it must just unzip and flip
> up (either outside or in)?
> 
> -Jeff Hare
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
> Of Utility Email
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 9:20 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dodger Replacement
> 
> Check that. We used Makrolon not Strata glass. Very happy with it. It is
> clear like glass!
> 
> David Swanson
> S/V Emily Ann
> 2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
> Mukilteo, WA 
> 
>> On Feb 17, 2016, at 6:14 PM, Utility Email <kswanson123 at comcast.net>
> wrote:
>> 
>> I used Strata-glass on mine and we really like it for the PNW.  
>> 
>> Our dodger fabricator was Iverson's Designs.  We got an I-top dodger that
> allows us to remove all of the window panels during the hot summer.  It is
> really nice. 
>> 
>> We stow the Strata-glass under the berth cushions. There are photos of our
> dodger on the Catalina 320IA owners site under our boat name, Emily Anne.
> Make sure you only use Plexus glass cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth on
> the Strata-glass.  No Windex or paper towels, ever!
>> 
>> David B. Swanson, P.E., S.E.
>> Principal, LEED AP
>> Director, Structural Group
>> 
>> Reid Middleton, Inc.
>> (425) 741-3800 office
>> (425) 741-5011 direct
>> (425) 508-7971 mobile
>> 
>> www.reidmiddleton.com
>> 
>> 
>>> On Feb 17, 2016, at 5:37 AM, Don <dwood125 at cogeco.ca> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Good Morning:  I am about to replace our dodger and am looking for 
>>> advice on the clear plastic material used for the window areas.  What 
>>> do you suggest as the best clear product that can be rolled up for
> ventilation?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Don
>>> 
>>> #844
>>> 
>>> "No Rush"
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Don Wood |Consultant | Computers & Educational Consulting LTD
>>> 
>>> 110 Davidson Blvd,
>>> 
>>> Dundas Ontario, ON  L9H 7M5
>>> 
>>> [Tel] 905.627.4088| [Cell]  289.440.1005
>>> 
>>> DWood125 at cogeco.ca
>>> 
>>> 
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