Boaters can spend hours sailing on the water exposed to strong winds, waves, sun and sometimes rain. The comfort of a sailor and crew is dependant on a quality, well-constructed enclosure design. From wind shielding dodgers to full coverage canvas bimini boat tops, the design of sailboat enclosures needs to fit the size and type of sailboat.
Design of Canvas and Hard Sailboat Dodgers
A sailboat dodger is important to protect the helmsman and crew from harsh element while sailing. Acting as a protective windshield, a dodger frames the entryway of a sailboat and shields the cockpit from wind and rain while underway.
Sailboat dodgers can be constructed as retractable canvas enclosures or fixed hardtop dodgers for extra strength and durability. A well-designed sailboat dodger is taut and form-fitting around the entryway of a sailboat.
Quality materials to consider when designing a sailboat dodger include:
- Durable canvas material (such as Sunbrella canvas)
- Strataglass window vinyl
- Strong Tenara thread
- Stainless steel frames, poles and hardware
- Minimum of 1 inch poles
Recent innovations in design include the Elan 386 retractable dodger by Iverson Designs. The dodger design features the ability to retract the top section of the dodger but leave the windshield section intact, allowing more air flow and light to enter the cockpit. The Elan 386 won an Outstanding Achievement Award in the marine projects sailboats category of the 2007 International Achievement Awards.
Florida based Lippincott provides a custom hardtop dodger for sailboats made of thermoformed ABS. The rigid durability of hardtop dodgers is capable of handling some of the strongest weather conditions on the water.
Sailboat Bimini Tops for Full Cockpit Protection
A canvas bimini boat top provides sailors with one of the most effective means to protect skin from the effects of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Efficient design of a bimini top on a sailboat can be a challenge due to the height of the boom while sailing. The ideal height of a bimini top is high enough for the captain and crew to comfortably stand under. While some sailors opt for a lower bimini top design to accommodate for the boom, some recent innovations include adjustable height bimini tops. A Bimini Butler is an adjustable height bimini top that can be lowered while underway to avoid a swinging boom, or the poles can be adjusted higher while anchored or docked.
A rooftop isinglass window is a common option on sailboat bimini tops. This window allows for better visibility of sailboat riggings, masts and booms.
Custom Canvas Enclosures for Complete Protection on Sailboats
For the ultimate in comfort and protection while on a sailboat, a custom canvas enclosure provides a bimini with camper canvas panels.
A bimini top surrounded with isinglass window panels enables a boater to operate a boat in virtually any weather condition. Design options include built-in screens, removable windows, U-windows (for easy roll-up) and flip-up or roll-up windows.
A custom canvas enclosure on a boat is a tricky and expensive installation due to the wide beam of the cockpit area. Although many boaters enjoy the cockpit protection while docked or moored, most will opt for an easier and less expensive cockpit cover for a boat.
Protection from the elements has never been easier with new innovations in sailboat dodgers, bimini tops and enclosure designs. The key to the best fit, installation and longevity of sailboat enclosures is proper measuring combined with quality canvas materials.
Diane Seltzer - Diane is a branding, pr and social media marketer with experience ranging from advertising to corporate marketing and consulting.
