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We've been researching DIY options for replacing our 'canvas' dodger and bimini with hard tops using the existing 1" stainless steel frames, and adding a rigid windshield to the dodger.
Sounds like a great spring project, doesn't it?
Following are the current finalists in my order of preference by method, then approach.
————————
Using Starboard:
Using prefab FRP [Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic] Panels:
- DIY Hard Dodger
- DIY Hardtop Dodger
- Homemade Hardtop [PDF of article]
Using polycarbonate [e.g., Lexan] sheets:
- Hard Dodger made with lexan sheets [polycarbonate] for top, windshield, and sides
- From Cruising World Dec-2011; p54-55
- From 48 North
- Translucent Polycarbonate [Lexan] reinforced panels [Hard to Top]
Fabrication from scratch:
- Carbon Fiber
- How to build a hard dodger in only 14 days
- New Hard Bimini
- Build a form for molding the top [SV Jackaranda]
- Build form for molding foam cored top [SV Ocelot; lots of excellent construction details]
- Foam core fiberglass dodger [Video by Free Range Sailing]
- Foam core painted epoxy [From the wonderful Epoxyworks.com site]
- Fiberglass [Tartooga]
- Translucent Polycarbonate [Lexan] reinforced panels [Hard to Top]
Related Resources:
- Excellent forum discussion with lots of examples and photos
- Excellent requirements list for soft dodger/bimini
- An inspirational photo album [Unfortunately this link is broken as of Jan-2020; We will remove in future if not fixed...]
Materials Research:
- Top:
- HDU [High Density Urethane] board instead of Starboard or as core with FRP skins
- Starboard
- FRP Skins [glued back-to-back either with or without foam core]
- Opaque polycarbonate sheet
- See above article Hard Dodger made with lexan sheets from Cruising World
- Windshield:
 |
| 1/2" Starboard formed to match existing dodger frame. (Photo from Roger Dodger article linked above...) |
Looks great!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's because it is Yahtzee's dodger. Hahahaha. Sorry, we didn't label it correctly at first. I hope ours turns out as nice. I'm tired of the leaky old fabric one we have. DH threatened to rip it off and burn it last summer, but I pointed out it was better than nothing..... Now our main sail cover has shredded due probably to stupid birds, and high winds. We aren't on the boat at the moment, so caretaker will be using a tarp and bungees to secure it for now. AND (as usual) the projects just keep stacking up. GEEZ!!
DeleteHi Denali! Just found your site from a post on CF. I'm looking to build a hardtop bimini/dodger for my boat. I plan on going through your links here more to get some ideas. My present plan is to use Nidacore/Plascore as the core material, covered in fiberglass/epoxy. This would be similar to the method on youtube by Project Atticus and Sailing Zingaro. I hope to make the roof panels a bit stiffer by routing parallel grooves in the nidacore and filling with strips of fiberglass to create kind of an I-beam between the top and bottom fiberglass. That is the present plan. Could change by Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know, Kimsails.
DeleteWe wish you the best with your project. Please let us know how everything turns out.