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Dodger windows - cover or not cover?

8K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  SanDiegoChip 
#1 ·
Before long it will be time to replace the dodger. My dodger has individual covers for the windows. I see some boats with covers for the entire dodger. I see a lot of boats with no covers at all.

The cover will protect from UV but can also scratch the surface and is an added expense. A entire cover is more expensive but protects better. I am curious how the crew here feel about the subject.

Save the money and just replace the windows when needed? I wonder what the payback would be with cost of money figured in. What say all you?

Gene
 
#2 ·
I say cover.. with individual panels. Esp with Lexan windows - yes, caution is required to avoid scratching, but without they will be opaque in 7-8 years. We have a 6 yr old dodger with lexan, we keep the covers on in port and the lexan is still like new (aside from the inevitable scratches, in this case not from the covers) Individual covers allow you to provide some shade now and then but not cut off all the light, or the visibility.

On our last boat we had an overall cover.. after a while we quit using it because it shrank and wouldn't fit and the windows went opaque and looked awful in a relatively short time.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I say cover.. with individual panels. Esp with Lexan windows - yes, caution is required to avoid scratching, but without they will be opaque in 7-8 years.
Every honest marine canvas guy I know advises against covering and these guys are quite reputable. Their argument "for" is one of increased revenue for the canvas guy trying to sell you more work.

The windows below were Strataglass and 9 years old when the photo was taken on June 13th 2009. The dodger was installed in May of 2000. This canvas spent nearly 4+ years in the equator range then the remaining, in-between and 5 years in Maine.

Proper care, with the proper products, will help them survive longer than a cover. These were treated once a week or every other week with Strataglass specific products.

Polution fall out, grit and dirt stuck in the weave of the Sunbrella covers or in between the covers will permanently create micro scratches in the glass when the wind blows. This then leads to degraded visibility.

Again these Strataglass windows were 9 years old when the photo was taken and FAR from opaque. NO COVERS were ever used..

Believe it or not the Sunbrella wore out BEFORE the windows..


Please feel free to look at the full size image:

Dodger Windows 6-13-2009 (LINK)


This is our new dodger & windows they will absolutely not get covers..


For those who doubt my sentiments you are welcome to visit me at the Mobile Marine Canvas booth, where I work every year, at the Maine Boat Builders show. You can the speak with Seth who is arguably the best marine canvas guy on the Maine coast, and hear it right from the horses mouth. He will even give you case by case instances with actual experiences he can share..;)
 
#4 ·
We also have felt on the covers of the new strata glass windows my wife sewed into the dodger and bimini she made. We put them on when we leave the boat. wind, UV and just really will do a number on them.

Dave
 
#5 · (Edited)
We made a new 'dodger'. The lid is a sheet of 2mm grp (they make refrigerated truck bodies from this). The windscreen is polycarbonate and the sides and back are vinyl with clears. All can roll up or be taken off.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/saintanna/P8170002.jpg

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/saintanna/P8250016.jpg
We often sail with the weather side down. This allows up to keep out of the sun or wind, rain etc.
In a marina, all vinyl sides and back are zipped down. Nothing to chafe and all the protection required.
Very happy with it
 
#9 ·
Mainsail, that's impressive and worth the time. I like to see where I'm going.

I have had good luck with covers on lexan windows over many years, but it is a much harder product. Additionally, micro scratches can be buffed out every few years; not an option on dodger windows.

But the reality is that many of use cannot get to the boat every week or every other week, or even every month in the winter. I agree whole heartedly that covers would be a bad idea; rolling them up with any dirt causes scratches and any flapping bit can cause scratches.

I have used Strataglass specific products; the PO left me with a supply, and they do help. But what are we to do? I spend too much time on maintenance and too little sailing already.
 
#10 ·
I have used Strataglass specific products; the PO left me with a supply, and they do help. But what are we to do? I spend too much time on maintenance and too little sailing already.
Keeping up with my windows is one of the easiest chores. Takes me about 5 minutes to clean and treat them. I always use a new microfiber rag and warm water to rinse then wipe away any polution or debris. The rag is always turned after each wipe so as not to scratch with the grit it picks up. I then apply Imar Strataglass proctective cleaner and let it dry. That's it....
 
#11 ·
I like the felt linned covers that go over the Strataglass on our dodger, as it acts as a sun shield. I've been in the sun to many years, so I'm looking for shade all the time. When I hose down the boat I hit the dodger window covers to rinse them off, and once a year I take all the canvas home for a good cleaning and waterproofing. Most definitely using a good product to clean the Strataglass is a must, but I admit I don't clean is as often as I should.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Different Dodgers - Different Locales

We have the less expensive and less desirable clear plastic window panels. We have a full "drop over" Sunbrella cover that was done when the dodger was built in '95.
I can see a noticeable difference in how our canvas and windows are holding up over the seasons compared to boats around me with no covers.

One difference between us and probably most of you is that our moorage (and all the others along the river where we are located) is directly under the final approach to PDX. Lots of dirt, exhaust, and fuel residues in our air.
Kinda noisy at times, especially when the AF jets are practicing...
:rolleyes:

So, I would weigh in on the merits of a full cover...

"YMMV"

L
 
#13 · (Edited)
Interesting re the covers....going to save me some dosh...I like that.

Thanks Maine.

Latest quote I've received for covers is quoting a Japanese product for the clears that they refer to as Vye Back. Anyone know the name ? I can find no reference on the net.
 
#14 ·
On our Catalina 30 we had a full dodger cover and the dodger and windows held up great. The leather on the top of the dodger cracked. The cover was hard to store or I will say took up room.
On our new 36’ boat we have a solar panel on top of the dodger so we had individual covers made. We can see the bird poop get in between the windows and panels. They do keep out the sun and give privacy and are easy to store. We clean the windows every time we sail and I have started to use Pledge on them to keep them nice. Seems to work. Definitely getting dirt in-between the windows and covers. We will need to flush them when we wash the boat. Of course then we get water spots.
The full cover also kept the bird poop on the cover not the dodger.
We have a sewing machine and replace the windows when needed.

Chip
 
#16 · (Edited)
We clean the windows every time we sail and I have started to use Pledge on them to keep them nice.

Chip
Chip,

Please do yourself a big favor and stop using Pledge. It is very nasty stuff on eisenglass or optically treated eisenglass/vinyl.

It contains: Silicone, Isoparaffinic Hydrocarbon Solvent (basically Naptha), Propane, Isobutane, & butane. The silicones and paraffins actually attract dust and dirt and the silicone aided by the solvents can permanently penetrate the vinyl and make it foggy.

Use Imar Strataglass Protective Cleaner #301. You won't be disappointed. I have been recommending this stuff since long before Practical Sailor crowned it king of window treatments..

 
#15 ·
In the south, I have found that a cover over the whole dodger works best than individual window covers for a boat that is worth less than $40k to $30k. Lasts about 10 years if sewn with proper thread, treated with Thompson's Watersealer (less per ounce than Aquatite), and is considerably less expensive than the big boy windows which are impractical on a pocket cruiser.
 
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