Dodger and Awning Clears

tdw · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2010

good people.....on the subject of new materials v old fashioned clears....how do you handle a roll up ?

we are at the new dodger stage , one maker reckons the new materials do not like being folded or rolled...Maine alludes to this being a problem in his earlier thread....

down here in the summer heat a dodger has to have one clear panel able to be opened...

thoughts ?

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2010

Our center front panel unzips and flips up over the top without rolling (which the lexan really doesn't want to do)

You can see the opened panel in the pic below.

tdw · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2010

Preceeding posts have been moved from

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...r-windows.html

It was looking to much like a hijack.

tdw · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2010

Fast,

Do you have any pics showing detail of handrails on your dodger ?

Ours is disintegrating so I figure if possible I'd like to modify the frame to incorporate similar handrails.

MaineSail,

If you read this, does your mate have a website ?

In general, one of the problems I have is that our maker is trying to convince me to stay with the traditional clears when I really want something better.

Stuff like Flexible Lexan or this Makralon that MS mentioned may not even be available on the Australian market.

tdw · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2010

One question answered...Makralon is not available in Australia.

OTOH, I have found a supplier of Lexan Polycarbonate Sheet in thicknesses from .8mm on up , available also as UV protected which seems like a good idea.

Fast, any idea what thickness you used ?

Did you use Lexan for your new coachroof windows as well ?

Faster · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2010

Here's another view:

They are cut from partially bent SS tube, the ends closed up and studs welded on. Then the dodger frame is drilled through and acorn nuts hold the handle end studs on the inside.

We used regular acrylic "plexiglass" for the coach roof windows, much cheaper than lexan and stands up better. We used the heaviest tint available and it still looks clear from inside - or from outside at night with lights on below.

Sorry, don't recall the thickness of our lexan panels but you'd be lucky to roll it into a 6" tube. The dodger on our previous boat had the same zippered panel in the middle but it was designed to fold up under the "roof" and was held there with snaps/toggles. This "over the top" method works as well except when moored with the wind astern - it occasionally blows back down then.

We also keep the clears covered when not underway and I expect that this will extend the clarity and longevity of the windows considerably - last boat the lexan was nearly totally opaque in 10 yrs.

funjohnson · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2010

Just so I'm clear... are you talking about adding hard lexan panels to the dodger instead of the soft/rollable of the past?

tdw · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Just so I'm clear... are you talking about adding hard lexan panels to the dodger instead of the soft/rollable of the past?

No, these are soft lexan panels instead of the old vinyl clears. While flexible they do not however happily roll up.

Hey..why not ? They come on a roll don't they ? Or do they come flat packed ?

Fast,
When you cut the ends of the handrails, did you make any allowance for the curve of the bar to which the ends attach or did you simple accept the small gaps ?

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2010

Since when is lexan soft? The soft panels are usually isinglas or strataglass or something similar. Lexan panels are not soft...

Faster · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdw

No, these are soft lexan panels instead of the old vinyl clears. While flexible they do not however happily roll up.

Hey..why not ? They come on a roll don't they ? Or do they come flat packed ?

Fast,
When you cut the ends of the handrails, did you make any allowance for the curve of the bar to which the ends attach or did you simple accept the small gaps ?

I wouldn't call them "soft" lexan - it's simply thin lexan sheets. They bend but are fairly rigid and not intended to be rolled. As you can see in the pics above they will take a non-compound curve around the dodger frames.

I didn't make the handrails, TD, but they don't look "curve fit" to me. I think the leather underneath takes up some of the difference. I sent you a bunch more pics to hotmail.