How to Make Your Own California Dodger Side Windows

SKU: X-HT-300638
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Take a moment to celebrate — you’re almost done with your California dodger! The only task left is to make the two side windows. And since you’ve already made the top and front window of your dodger, this last portion of the project should be a breeze. In the third and final blog in our California Dodger Series, you’ll use many of the same materials and processes from the front window DIY to make your own dodger side windows.

Remember, a big advantage that a California dodger has over a traditional spray dodger is its side windows. Not only are they much larger than the windows on a standard dodger, but they’re also removable. The one-two punch of greater visibility on the sides of your boat coupled with the option of more customization truly puts California dodgers in a league of their own.

The side window securely zips onto the dodger top and front window.

The Sailrite® California Dodger Skin Kits (#124251 and #124252) come with all the materials you need to make side curtains to suit your boat. In the how-to video below, you’ll get more practice on patterning to fit your boat’s unique contours, as well as sewing clear vinyl, installing and reinforcing fasteners, and other key sewing tasks that you did while making the front window. Are you ready to knock out the last portion of your California dodger? We thought so! Watch the video below to wrap up this project.

Congratulations — you’ve completed your California dodger! Now that you’ve made and installed the side windows, you’re ready to take your new boat sprayhood out on the water and enjoy the product of all your hard work. How did your dodger turn out? Let us know in the comments below. And if you missed the blogs on making the top and front window of your dodger, don’t worry. Just search #300636XHT and #300637XHT at Sailrite.com to view the first and second videos in this three-part project series.

Chapters List:

  • Intro — 0:00
  • Sewing Zipper Half on Pattern Material — 1:04
  • Patterning Side Curtain on Boat — 3:18
  • Patterning Canvas — 18:29
  • Adding Vinyl Reinforcement — 21:18
  • Hemming Canvas Edge & Sewing to Window — 25:01
  • Cutting Clear Vinyl Window to Size — 38:15
  • Sewing Zippers on Curtain — 41:30
  • Finishing Raw Edges of Curtain — 46:53
  • Installing Side Curtains — 49:28
  • Materials & Tools List — 58:12

Materials List:

All listed materials are included in the California Dodger Skin Kits (#124251 and #124252).

  • Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" (#5643)
  • Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.) (#129)
  • Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" (#103134)
  • Sunbrella® Marine Grade Fabric 46" — Pick a color
  • PremoBond® Tex 90 White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.) (#123337) — Pick a different color if desired
  • Lenzip® #10 White Single Pull Finished Zipper (Molded Tooth) (#123744) — Pick a different color if desired
  • Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) (#122065)
  • Sunbrella® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 1" — Pick a color
  • YKK® SNAPCAP® #10 White Zipper Top Stop (VISLON®) (#123706) — Pick a different color if desired
  • Lenzip® #10 White Double Pull Finished Zipper (Molded Tooth) (#123746) — Pick a different color if desired
  • DOT® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Cloth Stud (Stainless Steel) (#444100)
  • Blind Rivet for SnapRite® Surface Die (Stainless Steel) (#103755)
  • DOT® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Surface Set 3/8" Screw (Stainless Steel) (#444002)
  • Shelter-Rite® White 61" Fabric (#112011)
  • Leather 4-5 oz. Chrome Pearl Grey (#559111)
  • DOT® Twist-Lock Fastener 2 Screw Stud Cloth-to-Surface Set (Nickel-Plated Brass) (#777400)
  • DOT® Twist-Lock Fastener Extended Legs Eyelet (Nickel-Plated Brass) (#777006)
  • Strataglass™ 30 Gauge Vinyl Window Material 54" x 110" Clear (#791123)
  • DOT® Twist-Lock Fastener Double-High 2-Hole Screw Stud (Nickel-Plated Brass) (#777035)
  • Trimmable Butyl Tape 1" (30 Feet) (#103689)
  • Sample of Boat Blanket Gray 72" Fabric (#100111)
  • Polyester White Hook 1" (#473100)

Tools List:

  • 2-Bow 1" Dodger Frame Kit with Rigid Supports & Hand Rails 84" x 40" x 40" (Stainless Steel) (#121918)
  • Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" (#101017)
  • Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" (#102400)
  • Soapstone Fabric Marking Pencil White (#102766)
  • Sailrite® Tempered Cutting Glass (#121915)
  • Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package (#122177)
  • Tape Measure 120" (#102986)
  • Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler (#107040)
  • Scribe-All® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil (#120681)
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (#300600)
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table (#120934)
  • Basic Thread Snips (#123222)
  • Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide (#103597)
  • Prong Bending Tool for Twist-Lock & Lift-The-DOT® Fasteners (#120445)
  • Sailrite® 1" Swing-Away Binder (#100103)
  • Spring Clamp (#50211)
  • Sailrite® Professional Rotary Hole Punch (#123274)
  • Professional Rivet Tool (#103520)
  • SnapRite® Surface Mount Stud Die (#103754)
  • Pres-N-Snap Installation Tool (#109011)
  • Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl (#121977)
  • Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set (#121669)
  • McLube™ Sailkote 8 oz. (#120679)
  • 3M™ Specialty Adhesive Remover 32 oz. (Quart) (#108984)
  • Rubber Cutting Block 10" x 10" (#378100)
  • Sailrite® Twist-Lock Eyelet Hole Cutter (#108001)
  • Barry King Mallet Hammer Style 3# (#68563)
  • Sailrite® #5 Drill Hole Cutter 5/8" (#121824)
  • Seam Ripper Deluxe (#18104)
  • Triangle Tailor's Chalk - Red (#121914)
  • Tape Measure, Permanent Marker, Yardstick, Straightedge, Fine Point Marker, Center Punch, Hammer, 1/8" Drill Bit, Drill, Packing Tape, Countersink Drill Bit