Your opinion, please.
This Spring, I hired a local canvas shop to make a new dodger and awning for my Catalina 28. This shop had done a nice job making me a winter cover a couple years ago and their website says they are experts in making dodgers and enclosures for boats.
I went to the boat today, and saw that there was a puddle of water in the middle of the dodger. Maybe 12" x 16" and an inch deep in the middle This was our first rain since the dodger was installed.
Background:
This dodger replaced the original 1996 dodger, and uses the same stainless steel frame, lowered about four inches. The canvas guy said he would angle the top of the dodger so water would run off.
He also made an awning that zippers to the dodger and runs back to the split backstay. The zipper that runs across the top of the dodger had no flap or protection against UV. I told him it needed a protective flap and he argued that it wasn't necessary. He eventually agreed to sew on a flap. This was my first clue that there may be some big gaps in his knowledge.
The awning is noticeably from a different dye lot even though it was ordered and made at the same time. So, two different shades of blue.
The Strataglas was delivered with abrasions in one of the side windows that he eventually agreed to replace after much argument.
My relationship with this guy is GREATLY strained after all the arguing.
The Question:
What would you want done about the puddles that will form on this flat and level dodger? I see no simple fix for it. Would likely require remaking of the dodger or a refund in full. I doubt anything shy of small claims court or a promise to get very vocal with online reviews would budge him at this point. In your opinion, should dodgers be made to not "puddle" even if the issue isn't discussed with the canvas person?
Less Important Question:
How would you feel about the mismatch of dye lots between the dodger and the awning?
and....
One of the lift the dot fasteners at the bottom edge of the dodger doesn't stay fastened because the canvas is too tight to follow the curve in the cabin top in one spot.
and...
In writing, I specified that the awning "should be quickly detachable" but, we had discussed in detail that it needed to be quickly put up or removed while underway. It's not.
This Spring, I hired a local canvas shop to make a new dodger and awning for my Catalina 28. This shop had done a nice job making me a winter cover a couple years ago and their website says they are experts in making dodgers and enclosures for boats.
I went to the boat today, and saw that there was a puddle of water in the middle of the dodger. Maybe 12" x 16" and an inch deep in the middle This was our first rain since the dodger was installed.
Background:
This dodger replaced the original 1996 dodger, and uses the same stainless steel frame, lowered about four inches. The canvas guy said he would angle the top of the dodger so water would run off.
He also made an awning that zippers to the dodger and runs back to the split backstay. The zipper that runs across the top of the dodger had no flap or protection against UV. I told him it needed a protective flap and he argued that it wasn't necessary. He eventually agreed to sew on a flap. This was my first clue that there may be some big gaps in his knowledge.
The awning is noticeably from a different dye lot even though it was ordered and made at the same time. So, two different shades of blue.
The Strataglas was delivered with abrasions in one of the side windows that he eventually agreed to replace after much argument.
My relationship with this guy is GREATLY strained after all the arguing.
The Question:
What would you want done about the puddles that will form on this flat and level dodger? I see no simple fix for it. Would likely require remaking of the dodger or a refund in full. I doubt anything shy of small claims court or a promise to get very vocal with online reviews would budge him at this point. In your opinion, should dodgers be made to not "puddle" even if the issue isn't discussed with the canvas person?
Less Important Question:
How would you feel about the mismatch of dye lots between the dodger and the awning?
and....
One of the lift the dot fasteners at the bottom edge of the dodger doesn't stay fastened because the canvas is too tight to follow the curve in the cabin top in one spot.
and...
In writing, I specified that the awning "should be quickly detachable" but, we had discussed in detail that it needed to be quickly put up or removed while underway. It's not.