MacGregorSailors.com

Tomfoolery wrote:

BOAT wrote:The answer is indeed to remove the existing hatch. It would be easy to make a release of some kind on one side like a hinge or slot the slider so the top can be removed when it's at a certain spot or any number of ways that the slider top can be easily removed and replaced - it would be easy to make something that could do that and it will still look exactly like the original - I can do it - I could add a hidden fastener under one of the slider thingy (those white strips of plastic that look crappy on my boat because they have mold stains - been meaning to replace them anyway)

If I remember correctly from when I had mine off (by removing the upper track rails on each side), the only thing keeping the OEM hatch from pulling off toward the stern was the lip on the front of the sliding hatch. Make that a two-piece feature, easily removable, and the hatch will slide right off into the cockpit. That's the , of course, and I don't know how the is made, but it might give someone some ideas.

Yes Tom, there are a million ways to solve that problem - it would be a very easy thing to solve - the only real hard part of this mod is the actual fabrication of the new pilothouse - I just don't know where to start when it comes to making fiberglass parts - I was thinking I could shape it out of foam pretty easy, but I don't know how to lay up the glass over the foam - I might visit some of the shapers here in town up by the Oceanside airport - the EPA raided the North Coast of San Diego a few years back and forced all the shapers down on highway 101 in Carlsbad and Oceanside off the coastline. They are all hiding inside industrial buildings and hangars far inland inside the Oceanside Airport now - (the EPA can't find them there - there are lots of places to hide) I had family friends in the industry long ago but they have since passed on - I'm pretty alone now - I guess I could ask the Hobie factory for help, but I don't know anyone there anymore either. The shapers at the airport have the talent, but would they help me? If I got enough customers lined up for them, maybe.

A good shaper would be Mason Dyer, but just try to find his address:



Even on his website there is no address: www.masondyer.com

I guess I could walk around in the Airport Industrial Park sniffing for the smell of resin and hope I stumble on someone - but I better have good drawings before I go.

(I wonder where the Air Plane Pilots go to get those plastic windshields for their airplanes?)

Boat, that is remarkably easy. Make your styrofoam mold, paint the outside in Elmers glue, then glass over that. The foam need not be all that smooth, as the FRP will be the exterior. I rebuilt a Hobie Monocat that way, and was pleased with the results.

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback and your additional thoughts on dodgers. In answer to some of the questions that ecossebob, BOAT, and others have asked...

- All the windows are clear UV resistant plexiglass and front window is hinged for airflow when desired (primarily in slip or at anchor depending on temp and wind direction). Hatch handles and rubber gasket secure it watertight when closed
- No boom interference as it was carefully measured and designed to accommodate boom movement on all axis, to the extent that a flexible 100 watt solar panel fits perfectly on the top and there are no issues underway, closehauled with a tight mainsheet or otherwise. The aft roof of the dodger comes out just enough into the cockpit to provide ample overhead coverage as well as room for the mainsheet and those aboard to move between the dodger and the bimini.
- Dodger is completely removable, secured to the stanchions with two brackets per and also to aft stainless support posts with tension screws. Sides fit in grooved tracks attached to hatch sliding caps. Overall fairly light about 35 lbs
- Options for going forward on deck are climbing over (my preferred method hence the stainless handrails, failry easy once you're used to it) or through the forward hatch. This was the trade-off for a true full-width dodger pilothouse on a Mac that actually provided full wind and spray protection as well as headroom.
- Mast raising/lowering still a fairly simple exercise, although I don't trailer as it sits full time in its slip in Southern California. To have it rest on the aft mast support arm across the length of the boat requires a slight vertical extension of the mast support bracket on the bow

This dodger has worked wonderfully and delivered on what it was designed to do. As to why I am selling after all the time this took to plan, design, and implement (as well as the scores of other upgrades I have done recently)...it dawned on me that what I was really after was a catamaran - basically one big dodger/pilothouse. So...

I just don't know where to start when it comes to making fiberglass parts

I have built acrylic fish tanks and was considering making one out of all acrylic. It comes in any color and is fairly straightforward to work with.

This dodger has worked wonderfully and delivered on what it was designed to do. As to why I am selling after all the time this took to plan, design, and implement (as well as the scores of other upgrades I have done recently)...it dawned on me that what I was really after was a catamaran - basically one big dodger/pilothouse. So...

I came to the same conclusion, never thought of my cat that way, but guess it could easily fit depending on the model

i have selfmade hardtop on my 26 x and love it , sorry that i wasnt able to share pics here . i used aluframewindows from another boat and made roof and bottomframe of plywood . it looks good and have good design . hopefully someone one day will fabricate a top and a lot more needed stuff for 26 x . a top makes boats more topheavy but dont worry about that - fill bottom of centerboard With led , Place a big battery in aft of berth under cockpit and tanks for water and fuel in sb side of berth .

Nice seapup! Is that a MaineCat?

If I was going to make a mold of a hard dodge to glass up, I would make my templates out of wood, secure them to a frame called a strong back then create the outer mold layer using strips of timber, it's a technique called strip plank molding, it's used in canoe and kayak construction and can be created as a male of female mold, using this technique you can create some interesting shape.

For 'Imagine' I will be making a folding dodger as we trailer everywhere, just have to finish to looong list of other projects first.

Cheers
Glenn

This is not my boat and it's apparently no longer for sale. I'm posting because it seems like a useful addition to the topic.

I have literally never taken down my BWY/sunbrella dodger during the year I've had it and I frequently use the zip-in doors. Being able to securely close the companionway seems very appealing. Being able to easily access the forward deck seems very appealing.