cal 29 dodger/enclosure internet and bc

[bluetommy77]

Hello:

Has anyone found a less expensive and remote way to get a dodger on their boat? We have a cal 29 which is tied up far, far away from canvas makers and it seems that the people I speak with locally have to measure the boat.

Not like Quantum or other big sail makers that have the specs on hand for most popular boat and sail designs.

I'd heard there was a company somewhere on the net that did pre-fab dodger kits, has anyone tried them?

Is there anyone in southern bc who could help by letting me send a canvas worker to measure their beloved dodger? Are all cal 29 dodgers the same?

How about experiences enclosing a cockpit by adding zip down windows to a bimini? Is it really true none of this can be done pre-fab, on the cheap and remotely?

Thanks in advance and shivering in the cockpit in the Tofino rain, praying for summer,

bluetommy

[sailingdog]

Sailrite has quite a few kits for making dodgers and biminis. Have you tried contacting them. Part of the problem is that the dodger and bimini have to have the frames built and fitted, and the dodgers usually have to have some snaps or posts installed on the cabin top.

[Faster]

In addition, while all Cal 29s may well be very similar, there are always slight differences in layout of stoppers, cabin top winches, line organizers etc. which have to be accounted for in the dodger pattern.

You really will get the best job if it's all measured and planned on the boat it's intended for. Your problem is, of course, the travel time a canvas guy would charge to come out and do it (it usually involves several trips)

Maybe your best bet is to buy some books and a sewing machine and tackle it yourself - though that's only part of the picture... the tubebending and cutting involved is the other.

If you can hook up with another Cal owner, exchange pictures and maybe there's enough similarity that the bulk of the work can be done in advance.

[bluetommy77]

Hey sailingdog, thanks

that sailrite website looks completely golden to a guy like me! i worked a year in a sail loft in annapolis and would be totally making our own dodger and bimini. with the money saved we're thinking about buying a machine listed on the site... but they've got everything there that it appears we need for our sail and canvas needs. even build your own sails...

that being said, they're probably be some frustrations and triumphs associated with the project. has anyone reading this tried any sail rite projects or built a dodger with them? any words of wisdom? any comments over and above the instructions i'll be receiving.

hope to get back here on the forum with some pictures of my new dodger!

[sailingdog]

BlueTommy-

You're probably better off finding an old Pfaff sewing machine. I recently got an old Pfaff 360 for $200. When I went to pickup the machine... the husband of the woman selling it had seven layers of vinyl setup on it..and it was able to sew through them with no problem. It'll save you a fair chunk of change, and you can send me half, and spend the other half on Sunbrella.

[Sabreman]

The best recommendation that I can give is to call the folks at Sailrite for advice (especially if you buy their machine,. which I HIGHLY recommend). I have their blue machine with the Monster wheel (another must for increased accuracy at slow speeds). You already know that they have kits, but their advice is great and readily given.

Except for our dodger, all the blue covers and cushions on our boat was made on a sailrite machine. Next up is a mainsail. When the dodger eventually goes, I'll make that too.

Good luck.

[bluetommy77]

well you guys beat me to the punch, i was just searching 'sewing machines' next. ;-)

any trouble with rust on the sailrite machine, sabreman? we'd like to get something new that we can move to the next offshore boat and have for years... do you think it could stand up?