Dodger/Bimini, Vee-Berth Lift, Reefer, Skylight Canvas & Helm Seat


By David L. Glueck

dodger__front_view.jpg (62235 bytes) Dodger: I have a dodger that is fairly conventional. I did move the gallows forward one port. I worried a little about the longer boom overhang, but I have used it now for four seasons with no problems. I have a zipper on the aft edge of the dodger, covered with a fabric flap so it doesn't show, that the awning attaches to. The awning is quite wide and has angled inserts at the front. It is supported front and rear with Forespar collapsible poles (I store them in clips, below in the mast space in the head). The awning allows me to stand up at the helm and slopes forward to the back of the dodger. The inserts prevent rain from running into the boat. I can sit anywhere in the cockpit, or on the cockpit coaming and not get wet. I also have a zip on rear curtain which encloses the rear. I rarely use it. (anchoring from the stern).
dodger__w_pockets.jpg (58125 bytes) One of my special features are the pockets on the underside of the dodger. The side pockets are great for sunglasses, pencils, etc. The large center pocket holds charts. Very handy. I "invented" the idea and my canvas person now calls them "gluecks" and is using them on other dodgers.
dodger_rear_view.jpg (57069 bytes) Rear View
dodger_sideview.jpg (58405 bytes) Side View
dodger__oblique_view.jpg (58257 bytes) Oblique view
dodger_1.jpg (60227 bytes) Dodger
vee_berth_lift.jpg (55797 bytes) Vee berth lift: When we cruise, the area under the vee berth becomes very valuable. It has always been such a pain to get into it. You know, balancing the boards and mattress on your head while searching...We encountered a boat that had hinged the whole platform and installed gas cylinders, so I did the same. It is a dream. Not two fingers, but almost. And, when I was doing it, I discovered that the original fg holding tank was cracked, so I replaced in with a new molded 37g tank that fit in the far forward section, freeing up a very large compartment where the holding tank used to be.
refer__closed.jpg (58390 bytes) Refer/freezer: Two years ago, I made a very radical mod. We generally sail for a month in Northern Lake Huron and Michigan and wanted better, and more refrigeration. And we wanted a freezer. I scratched my head for several years on the freezer location and finally decided to enlarge the current refer space in two ways. In order to do this, I had to rip out all of the old box and the wall on the forward side. Then, I moved the forward wall 6" toward the bow, losing the bank of drawers on the aft side of the stove (Baba 35's have lots of galley drawers...I had too much stuff on the boat). Then I insulated with vacuum panels instead of foam. Although expensive, about $1500, I got R40 with an 1.25" of insulation. I then installed a Seafrost holding plate system with a divider and a spillover duct. I build the interior of the box out of 1/2" Starboard. Finally, I used a Glacier bay vacuum insulated lid (outrageously expensive!) I now have 2.25 sf of freezer and 7 sf of refer. Last summer we returned with food still hard as a rock after 30 days. I am very pleased with the whole system. BTW, The wood staves are indistinguishable from original. You really can't tell the wall was moved.
refer__open.jpg (57573 bytes)
skylight_canvas.jpg (61849 bytes) Skylight Canvas: Lots of discussion about leaks. Me too, I tried everything and still had drips on my beautiful dining table. So, I came up with a canvas cover with clear panels over the glass. It attaches to the skylight, not the base, so I can open from inside or out without removing it or unsnapping anything. The bottom edge has tubes of lead shot sewn in to keep it from flapping in the breeze.
helm_seat.jpg (56317 bytes) Helm seat: I have mesh cockpit cushions and about five years ago, I decided to fabricate a custom, 5" thick helm seat out of dense foam with a curved front and rear to conform with the back of the cockpit. It has non skid on the bottom and is covered in the same mesh as the cockpit cushions. It allows me to sit behind the wheel and see clearly.

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