Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

[canuckjgc]

I have a 17' side console welded aluminum. In an effort to add some wind protection and some safety, will a bow dodger that is snapped to the outside of the hull with stainless supports actually deflect water? Or will it simply crumple?

Anyone have any experience with this? I know some whalers have bow dodgers, but don't see them too often on aluminum boats.

Obviously it would be custom made.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Rough chop and the occasional bow stuff.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Yes it should if made properly with the right supports. The buttons imo should not be on the outside of the hull though. Water could unsnap them. I had a bow dodger made and installed on an old 19 ft mako we use to have. Worked great. The problem with them though is they can block your vision quite a bit. Good to have a window in the front of it.

 

[64osby]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Have a dodger on a 21' Starcraft Mariner. Blocks the wind and spray great. Never stuffed a wave so can't say.

It has a track that runs the width of the bow that holds the front edge on, the sides are snapped down to the gunwall when its up. It has two supports.

You can see the track in this pic.

It is hard to see through, I look over it. Pretty much a fair weather boater, have only used it a few times.

It does a great job of keeping the rain off the front seat.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Thanks. Does it cut the wind when you are underway and at the helm? Or only for those underneath it? I hadn't though of attaching to the gunnel but that does make sense, especially with the rail.

 

[64osby]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Yes it helps, but the CC has a windshield also. It's under the towels in the second pic.

There are zippers on the dodger and on the bimini, someday I would love to make or get the piece that goes between them.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

I have a 17' side console welded aluminum. In an effort to add some wind protection and some safety, will a bow dodger that is snapped to the outside of the hull with stainless supports actually deflect water? Or will it simply crumple?

Anyone have any experience with this? I know some whalers have bow dodgers, but don't see them too often on aluminum boats.

Obviously it would be custom made.

17 feet .. um .. you should not be out there in waves that high.

Sure you could put a dodger on it. It might cost you the value of the boat done correctly though.

YD.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

They work well as a wind break and to keep the water from splashing up. Not so good for waves. Could work against you if you stuff one.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Bow stuff absloutey not. Very bad ideal

 

[V153]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Excepting sex one of my favorite things to do is build 'dodgers' aka 'sprayhoods'. Cain't guarantee ya could stuff one through a big wave but mine work okay otherwise ...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

use them for comfort and not for safety. Then worst case you are uncomfortable. You need other methods to keep serious water out (either driving skills or wisdom to stay home) and to get serious water out once it gets in (pumps+ self-bailing--pull the plug!)

 

[Ned L]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Thank you H.C. The idea of trusting your safety to a canvas dodger standing up to green water coming over the bow is a bad idea. It is a 'comfort item' only (spray & wind (moderate)).

 

[64osby]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Very Nice V153. Just wanted to show the large version. What gauge plastic did you use?

 

[V153]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Very Nice V153. Just wanted to show the large version. What gauge plastic did you use?

That's 30ga clear vinyl, 'pacfic blue' Sunbrella, Tenara (Gore Tex) thread. Recover on his old frame which is backward btw, the main frame should stack fwd. 'Least that's my excuse for the wrinkles on the side ...

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Will a properly designed bow dodger deflect waves/water?

Thanks, great workmanship and design on those. I wasn't planning to stuff the bow, just curious if anyone had with a bow dodger. I guess it would likely crush down. I do recall reading somewhere of a person who used a removable foam piece of some sort covered with canvas to protect an open bow in bigger waves, but I can't find it anywhere now.

In any case, I plan to install a bow dodger similar to the one above, combined with a "sport dodger" similar to this one.

Almost like a Mills Canvas but for a side console heavy welded aluminum 17ft boat.

Can anyone see any issues at this point? It's going to cost a few bucks, so if anyone has any tips before I get started with my canvas guy, please let me know.

 

[Sunnyb]

A bow dodger does not need to be custom-made now days, you can buy them online. Bow dodgers came a long way, they are slick , practical , easily removable and super functional.
​As to rely on dodgers as safety so not get buried in waves ... not so much, however, excellent protection from sun, wind, rain, bugs ( if have full enclosure ) , also a great asset for child safety. Look around on the internet, its worth it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Not even an answer to the question which was raised over 4 years ago.

Closed.