Sooo, I have been struggling for the past couple of days, trying to make a pattern for a new dodger. The old canvas was in random pieces (given to us with the boat but not installed) and we never did see how it actually fit on the boat. The zippers were toast so I sewed it together with dental floss just so we could visualize it, using zip ties to keep it in place temporarily. Since we have the existing frame and the deck fittings had not been removed, I assumed that it should come together fairly simply. But alas, this is not the case.
The top panel was easy enough to pattern, I was able to have the frame bowed a bit more so it's aesthetically pleasing and added some handrails on the sides. Today I tried to make the front panel with the windows....
Our boat has a raised aft lip on the companionway hatch cover (no idea if that makes sense but will attach a photo) and the old dodger fittings were installed on the front of it, aft of the mainsheet traveller. It also has teak curved sections mounted to the deck that the dodger was also attached to. The problem I am having is that they are too far apart and I can't seem to think of a way to construct a new front panel using the existing setup. Equally frustrating is that I don't have any flexibility in the options since the traveller is in the way.
The only option I can visualize is to have the center window panel a few inches forward of the 2 sides and then I would have to put zippers and filler fabric to join them to each other. I really dislike this idea (and it seems like it would challenge my seamstress capabilities..... I would prefer to move the center one back to line up with the sides but can't seem to come up with a way to do that. I can't move the sides forward far enough to line up with the center because of the damn travelller.
Am I the only one who has this hokey set up? Did the boat come this way or is this an add on from a previous owner? Any help, suggestions, ideas or whatever, even sympathy is welcome.
ps.. ignore the green tape, that was my wishful thinking.
sv Sidetracked
1983 C36 MkI #0157
Nanaimo, BC
Clearly a difficult problem.
Here's a picture of mine. As you can see the curved sections are more forward, almost touching the traveller's base. That makes a big difference.
Could you replace the thin strip of teak on the 'raised fibreglass lip' aft with a piece of thick teak? Attach the dodger on top of it? Then perhaps a small flap to fold over it and the fibreglass. If you can move the curved pieces a few inches forward in combination with said teak strip it might do the trick.
Henk Hiensch
Mar Y Sol
1984 Catalina 36
Hull# 379 Universal M25
Ladysmith, BC
Thanks so very much for your reply and photo. Also for understanding my problem. I realize that it's hard to imagine why it would be an issue unless you are trying to make a pattern for new canvas. I looked at the original canvas and have no idea how they made it work. It would have been very helpful to see it all installed.
I see that you have the exact same setup as ours, including the push button fastners on the lip. There is another 36 at the same boatyard and they don't have the lip on their hatch cover. Their's is hull #9 I think so it must have been added afterwards.
I was considering moving the teak forward but there are drain holes in the strips on each side of the companionway, and they drain exactly where I would have moved the curved pieces. I do like the idea of making the aft strip thicker but I think fabricating a flap to prevent water from running inside and onto the hatch requires more sewing skill than I have. In the end we just decided to remove the curved teak completely and go with the awning track idea. I have a 2 week window to get this done and am running out of time to make big changes. If we don't like the way it fits with the track then I will replace the curved teak bits and rework the cover at a later date.
Are you coming to the rendezvous at Roche Harbor at the end of April?
sv Sidetracked
1983 C36 MkI #0157
Nanaimo, BC
Interesting (and frustrating for you) to see that the drain holes are in different locations. But an awning track might just be the thing.
Too many things going on for us to go to the rendezvous. Good luck with the project.
Henk Hiensch
Mar Y Sol
1984 Catalina 36
Hull# 379 Universal M25
Ladysmith, BC