SEW IT YOURSELF - Make your own dodger with the Sailrite Dodger Kit Complete Medium 2-Bow 7/8" Aluminum Frame, Fittings, and Sunbrella. A dodger top or spray hood is an easy and affordable way to provide protection from sun and shelter from rain and spray. Dodger complete kits come with everything you need to complete a dodger for your boat including top-quality Sunbrella fabric, patterning material, Strataglass, binding, thread, zippers, webbing, frame, fittings, and DVD instructions. Only a sewing machine, scissors, and basic hand tools are required.
The Sailrite 2-Bow Dodger Kit features a metal frame that can be folded out of the way when not in use, long-lasting Sunbrella for the fabric cover, and top-quality Strataglass window material. Not only will this completed dodger kit rival a finished dodger from any canvas shop, but it is more affordable when you do-it-yourself.
The adjustable 2 bow frame is made from 7/8" bright anodized aluminum. All tubing bows are prebent in a custom jig mounted on a wall in our shop. To keep shipping reasonable and to allow for greater customization, the bows are cut just beyond each bend creating three sections — two curved and one crowned. The crown in the center bow increases rigidity and improves the appearance of the finished dodger. Once the three pieces are assembled with splines that can be riveted in place, the bow has more strength than the uncut original. Sailrite dodger frames compare very favorably with custom welded frames but cost 2 to 3 times less! All fittings are stainless steel and secured with set screws. Dodger kits include Universal Deck Hinges (#103120) which features a pivoting hinge to compensate for the many different angles of decks, coamings and even vertical surfaces.
To select the appropriate kit, first determine the width and desired height for the dodger and the desired Sunbrella color. Width - Decide where the dodger frame will be mounted on the starboard and port sides of the boat. Measure across the boat from one mounting point to the other. Height - Maximum height is limited to the length of the longest bow and dependent upon the angle of the bow when the frame is in place (actual headroom will vary). The length of the dodger's top also varies depending upon the angle of the bows. Frames can be easily reduced in size by cutting the tubing with a hack saw or a tube cutting tool.
2-Bow Dodger Frame:
Maximum Width: 84 inches Longest Leg Length: 46 inches (before crown and fittings, add about 5") Nominal Height at Maximum Spread: 33 inches (As height increases above nominal height, the maximum spread decreases) Maximum Spread (fore and aft): 70 inches (assuming front sloping panel) Maximum Distance Between Bows: 40 inches Dodger Kit Complete 2-Bow 7/8" Aluminum Frame Kit includes:
Sunbrella fabric Sunbrella binding White thread White zippers Strataglass Velcro Patterning material Leather (chafe protection) Webbing Seamstick Twine Hand sewing needle Loop locs Webbing sliders Snap hooks Eye ends Jaw slides Universal deck hinges Strap eyes Frame tubing Snap fasteners Stainless steel rivets Screws Stainless steel zipper stops Cam buckles Make your Own Dodger DVD (Includes PDF Instructions) Dodger kits do not include a zipper to roll up the front window panel, however, there is usually enough extra fabric to sew side curtains.
Recommended Items for Dodger Cover & Frame Assembly:
Riveting gun (required) Drill steady tubing tool (not required) Tube cutting tool or a hack saw (required) Soapstone marking pencil (not required)
