Building a Hard Dodger, Part 2

I pick up where I left off in Part 1, which is attaching the roof. Following that a complete coating with epoxy is on order, before I apply primer and paint. Then it's time to fasten the dodger to the boat, and--most important of all!--figure out where to install the ship's bell.
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MUSIC: Etude 19 in Am--Dionisio Aguado (performed by Kevin Boothby).
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[@LNM0000]

Cracking stuff mate. That bell is worth more than my entire boat 😍

[@stuarthall3874]

Kevin, I was at first hesitant to watch this video as it wasn't about sailing and yet I found myself fully engaged and disappointed when the video ended as I wanted to spend more "time with you". Thank you for sharing your life and the work you do on your videos. You have a great presence in your videos (and you don't need a bikini).

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks so much, Stuart. Glad you enjoyed the vid even though it did not have any sailing footage ... or bikini models.

[@alcooper944]

Kev in a bikini? don't think so. ps dodger looks good you are handy with the tools not so handy with the silicon.

[@kevio6868]

@@alcooper944 hey it's sealed that's the main thing

[@jedrzejborowy8543]

Great workmanship. She inspired me to do something on my yacht. Gode ​​Wind!

[@riverrat4631]

Great job as always Kevin. As you know I have built a few boats and refit a few. Just a word of advice. I love the dodger. But I would put a 1x4 trim board on the inside around the glass. It would cover the mistake of the sealant for one. But the big reason would be strength for the glass. If you take a side wave or a huge wave over the bow it will pop the glass out without a backing support. You could find a 1x4 oak board and stain it to match your interior. It will give it a more finished look, but it will keep the glass from cracking or getting knocked out all together. You may get by with a 1x3. I was taught anytime you install a port light on a boat you always sandwich it for strength. Lowe’s has 24” and 36” pieces of nice oak for cabinet and furniture makers. They have walnut and Poplar also here at my local Lowe’s. I used this nice finish wood when I worked on my Allegra 24. Please don’t take this as me being a hater. I’m trying to help you stay safe. And make Ruth look nice. This will be a easy job and make a huge difference in strength and appearance.. … I love the look of the dodger. It looks factory…

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks Joe, I'm gonna see how it goes. Some trim strips on the inside would certainly make it stronger, as well as look nicer, so perhaps another project down the road ...

[@daveamies5031]

Well that should make wet weather watches a bit more comfortable and keep the cabin a little dryer 👍🏼Looks great.

[@sollasollew3208]

Nice addition to Ruth

[@Cacheola]

Certainly functional, nice job

[@vanceguerena8889]

I really like your videos

[@cwmaxfield2000]

Nice work. I have two to build this winter. They really add to the simplest of boats.

[@MrKenNoath]

There are some videos available of amateur builders and sailors who do an excellent job from start to finish and enhance their boat. And there are some who plan poorly, construct like a 3 year old and end up making their boat look ugly and depreciated in value. Hope you enjoy your sailing. Thank you.

[@SailingSarah]

I think I may be in the latter category 😂

[@ronsummers4090]

Job looks like a good one! Personally I would have preferred to fix the windows on the outside of the frame rather than the inside. That way heavy wind or waves hitting them would put the stress on the frame rather than relying on the screws to hold them in place on the inside, but it’s probably not likely you’ll get into weather that heavy. Cheers!!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Well see about strength, screws on the inside definitely look nicer ...

[@ronsummers4090]

@@howtosailoceans1423 yeah, I understand pros and cons. I would also have put a fixing point middle at the front like you have at the sides, the U bolts holding down the front are susceptible to upward forces. But hay, it’s all good anyhow. Thanks once again.

[@petersongallery]

@@howtosailoceans1423 If you were to become conceerened you could add battens (frames) on the inside as well methinks :)

[@sandervandervoor9238]

Great video, thanks you for that. I am planning to make a simular small dodger for my Phantom 32, it covers the hatch perfectly but does not limit the sight from the cockpit. Now i have seen your video, i have a good idea of how i am going to make a hard dodger for my boat. Thanks again and enjoy sailing. Regards from Sander van der Voort from the Netherlands.

[@delukxy]

A bit surprised that you didn't use Butyl Tape to make your seals. Easy to use and much less messy. End result looks good and functional and that's what matters.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Never heard of such a thing ... probably why I didn't use it.

[@alcooper944]

@@howtosailoceans1423 Double sided Butyl Rubber tape is the go to sealant unlike silicon butyl doesn't dry out

[@fredliperson9171]

@@alcooper944 So true. .That tape is the best..

[@zzzsydneyhom1379]

By God that was fun to watch mate! Nice job...

[@allmomomosthomebus3895]

That turned out great!

[@jamesb.funkiii5647]

Great job, I built dodgers for 34 years next boat I have is getting a solid dodger. I only hope it looks as good as yours!! Thank you for your channel, and all your hard work you put into it.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks James! All the best.

[@deeparks3112]

As we say in the South Kevin; You done good!

[@derkklein215]

Kevin you should have put the stringer on top ,no bumping your head into it and would deflect spray, but then you must have a hard head sailing a gaf rigged boat with out an engine. I enjoy your videos!

[@edl617]

Now you’re ready for the big adventure. I have heard of it done and read about it in Joshua Slocum’s when he went down the coast of the Americas through the beagle channel and up to Juan Fernandez before heading across the Pacific.

[@DrGonzosCondiments]

nice addition and thanks for the shots of Harpswell. many a fond memories of Fourth of July races and lobster bakes at OBYC, hand lining mackerel in the mouth of Lowell's Cove, picking blueberries on Ram Island and swimming on Cedar Beach and Water Cove as a child. thanks for having us all along for your adventures.

[@josemiguelespada1159]

Nice job!

[@55longboarder]

Looks great!

[@needwindinmysails6349]

Looking good ,nearly ready for your trip out into the pacific cheers from OZ

[@zackariasthepirate]

Add a nice looking trim piece over the pane. Wood color would be a good looking accent. It wouldn't be functional, but cover those "shavings" that will irk you. Looks great from here though!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Ah yes, of course, good idea ... though right now the shavings don't bother me so much, just happy to be finished with the project.

[@mariajosemorenoguerrero8638]

With you all easy!! Thank you!!

[@michaelcarman4875]

impeccable

[@tom7o18]

Great job and smartly done. Thanks for including us. Always a pleasure watching.

[@peterfrommystic7890]

Nicely done Kevin, I think Mr. Gillmer would approve.

[@RedemptionReady]

Make sure the holes in the plastic are bigger than the screws or it will crack. Looked like the screws were tight in there since they held when you removed for silicone. Looks awesome!!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Not tight enough to actually thread the acrylic, I could easily strip the holes by tightening the screws.

[@simontaylor4873]

Great job, looks like it’s always been on the boat 😁

[@FlatlandMando]

You are a careful skilled woodworker, producing a good result! I'd love to go boating in that craft

[@SVZonda]

Kevin, the hard dodger looks 'magic'.... The best thing about it is that it looks like it was always there! I for one cannot wait to see it in action. All the best Richard

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks Richard, fair winds!

[@darrenbulger3097]

Nice work Kevin! You are very skilled. The new dodger will be much appreciated in the future I’m sure. Cheers from PEI.

[@shrekyou4040]

What a great job you did. Looks awesome.

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Enjoy your videos very much-- grew up not far from Deltaville Va

[@thomassackett4091]

great job,captain. my last sailboat was a TARTAN 27. i live in upstate new york,a 50 ton captain,if you need to get somewhere faster than solo,i'm available. well funded and retired. just ordered 3 long sleeve tee's....a very good pricing structure....i don't trust pay pal....

[@JakeHolman78]

Looks good, blends right in from the drone view.

[@erikwilliams7009]

Bravo Zulu! Looks great and boy will that make a difference!

[@DrShout]

Nice job. To hide both the screws and silicone you could have sanded a track around the edge (as wide as the dodgers lip) on your acrylic, dodger side, which would have made it uniformly white. You can do the same on the inside so you don’t see the screws, except for the heads.

[@robertnixon3816]

Excellent planning and execution Kevin! Kudos!

[@tomcraddock244]

Well done ! Looks great Kevin ⛵️

[@DowneastThunderCreations]

Good job, Kevin. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@tommycheshire5508]

Excellent work! You are a jack of all trades.

[@trinisailor2925]

Nice build Kevin!! Thanks for your awesome videos!!

[@nonyayet1379]

very nice dodger. as always, nice video too

[@reloadncharge9907]

Good one…..a huge plus during inclement weather! Thx, Andrew

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes indeed, got it tested with those heavy rains from Ida. Hope all is well with your trip south to the Bay.

[@kimmccullough6802]

Great job, looks good. Really enjoy your videos.

[@kevio6868]

great job as always Kev thanks for sharing

[@HandyMan657]

Nicely done Kev. Grats

[@sventropy6734]

I like it and that’s good enough. Hallo, from Donegal.

[@andybrands1883]

Nice job Kevin !!!

[@Coyotehello]

Kevin always has interesting projects and they always end-up nice practical additions! Great video. I had same issue when I replaced glass panels on my last boat: The sealant did not fill-in nice and smoot between the glass and the frame. I ended-up making a pattern of the outside, taping it on the inside and priming+painting the inside, and bingo with that the sealant and screws disappeared. One thing I might have done differently is that beautiful DF laminated arch you made. I might have stained and varnished it to match the companionway. I love how you secured it to the boat, minimum amount of holes! Nice job to scratch-off the to-do list!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Ah yes, the beauty of varnish. But I spend too much time on varnish as it is!

[@huntsail3727]

Well done, great job!

[@skulijakobsson5116]

Well done 👍

[@Ash-cy7yw]

Prediction. This project will be filed under; Doh...why didn't I do this sooner. ...! :-) . Nice job Skipper. Looks wonderful too.

[@Andersenpaul6]

Kevin, I was in Potts Harbor a week and and half ago. Was thinking of you. Was actually thinking of going into Basin Cove to ride out Henri if needed. Thankfully wasn’t. Anyway, a few suggestions: For years in the boatyard business we used GE Sipruf for all glazing installations. Works great and half the price of marine sealants and lasts forever. Sabre Yachts used it for years in all port light installations. The other is instead of using sealant to install your dodger, consider EPDM foam with adhesive backing. Comes in rolls in many sizes and thickness and firmness. Much easier then sealants and removal is a snap in the future. We actually use that for all hatch installations and factory made port lights. Keep up the great work, hope to run into you again, maybe in Deltaville.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Hi Paul, interesting, had never heard of Sipruf. Since it's half the price I am assuming it's not made for boats ...

[@Steve-ul8qb]

Looks great Kevin! My only concern is all the holes you drilled have not been sealed with epoxy. This may come to haunt you a few years down the track. The silicon will hold the windows in although I would have used a polyurethane type sealant/adhesive. But no biggie. Fair winds!

[@johnchilds4156]

Looking good Great job

[@kscharky8951]

Looks fantastic! 👍

[@SpinStar1956]

Actually, you did very well. The only thing that I would have done different is to have placed the cleats inside (yeah, i know it was tight) instead of outside for weathering purposes. Also, you can wet your fingers with alcohol or mineral-oil and use them to give a nice smooth rounded finish to the sealants you used. Finally, maybe a matte-white paint (instead of gloss) for the inside to cut down on reflections. But hey, that dodger ain't goin' anywhere!

[@SailingNervous]

excellent videos and a great channel...thanks for posting!

[@glennp5872]

Looks good

[@neilquigley1030]

Nice, sturdy, dodger! I guess you could fashion some varnished wood frames to cover the insides of the windows, to cover the siliconed edges if you want to obscure the uneven caulk application.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes indeed Neil, but that's a project for another day!

[@yarpenzigrin1893]

Nice job. Didn't you think of fiberglassing it? It would make it a lot more durable.

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

My thoughts exactly

[@garymalm]

Boom!! I reckon too.

[@beniank9091]

Kevin it looks great and I think you will be satisfied with a drier watch area, I think it makes the boat look more the cruiser type LOL.

[@paulthew2]

Looks good!

[@tomwaite4594]

Fantastic addition for Ruth Avery Kevin. Your artistic eye has created a beautiful structure which does not look like an afterthought. To my way of thinking it could have been drawn up by Laurent Giles back in the late 30's for his lovely 35 foot cutters. Well done! You have the eye sir. Enjoy up North, still brutal on the Chesapeake Bay...

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks Tom ... haven't heard Laurent Giles come up in casual conversation in a while. I've finally set off on my cruise of coastal Maine. Nice and cool today, but no wind so I'm staying on anchor.

[@tomwaite4594]

@@howtosailoceans1423 Kevin, enjoy that new dodger! How far down east you going.?

[@914va]

great addition!

[@quale1345]

You put the effort in with west system and fairing compound but then you used silocone? Otherwise good job.

[@SailingSarah]

I believe I want removable windows, already built my hard Dodger

[@andrewcarr3650]

It looks right.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

"If it looks right ... it is right!" --Nat Herreshoff.

[@geoffworthington9425]

Great job should keep out some moisture

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

I was expecting a couple of layers of fibreglass on the dodger.

[@patrickhennigan9689]

From an engineering standpoint you put the Plexiglas in ass backwards. A big enough wave will push the glass out through the screws. The rabbit should have been on the outside.

[@zerofox7347]

Since it doesn’t form part of the cabin I don’t think it needs to be bulletproof and the plexiglass windows stuck on the outside look horrible. In my opinion obviously. It’s a quirky build but I reckon it looks quite nautical and olde world.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, I know, but it looks nicer. Seems strong enough, but we'll see.

[@zerofox7347]

Are you going to make a cover for the back for cozy night crossings haha.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, just finished that.

[@HamidRHariri]

Great job. I'm curious though, why not glass over it. Wouldn't that be more waterproof and structurally solid?

[@rogerdoran8153]

Best not use silicone on anything to be painted lest you get "fish eyes "in the paint .

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Nice job Kevin, would it be a good idea to drill over size the holes for the U-bolt attachment and fill with thicken epoxy and re-drill the holes to fit and to prevent water creeping into the plywood?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Perhaps, we'll see how well the sealant does. It is of course marine ply ...

[@jamshedsethna3428]

Nice build Kevin. You've got the roof now for a solar panel ?! Seth

[@jonathanm8197]

What's your favorite kind of marine ply? I'm going to be building a Wharram catamaran in the near future, and I'm curious what brand, wood type, etc. you would recommend. Thanks very much for your cool sailing channel!

[@Steve-ul8qb]

What size wharram? I built a tiki 31 years ago. You want as light a ply as possible as the fibreglass will provide the most of your strength. Everywhere you can, try and save weight as with the canoe sterns they like to be light. So a good quality marine plywood in a softwood would one my preference.

[@jonathanm8197]

@@Steve-ul8qb Thanks, Steve. That's very helpful. I'm thinking of an amatasi 27, which I believe uses the same fibreglass and epoxy method as the tikis.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I went with Okoume, which I had used before on the nutshell prams. I think it really depends on what you are building, though.

[@jonathanm8197]

@@howtosailoceans1423 Thanks, Kevin.

[@colinboniface194]

That should make life at sea a bit nicer...

[@skousend]

Congratulations on your upgrade. Nice project! Does this mean Ruth Avery is going to get even more adventurous?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Perhaps ...

[@makhoe1]

woohoo

[@fredliperson9171]

You should have been an Engineer.. Simplicity and function are rule # 6 ......

[@kzh2559]

To smooth out the sealant your finger needs to be wet or just use plastic spoon as a spatula 😜 😉 🤔 😏 😀 😋 😜 😉

[@paulthew2]

soapy water?

[@kzh2559]

@@paulthew2 yes indeed!

[@bomacca556]

My guess a while ago - you're going somewhere cold and windy. So Greenland or northwest passage before if freezes over again. Maybe next season? 😃

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Ha! Well I have thought of those things, actually ...

[@bilgeratjim]

why did you use acrylic sheet for the windows, and not polycarbonate?

[@theeaskey]

Your right lexan is much stronger

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Not being an expert, I just read the manufacturer's blurbs. Acrylic is better for clarity, they told me, polycarbonate is more illuminating than transparent.

[@pocketcruisersailing]

Nice job Kevin, you don't think the front window should be made opening though. Going to make the cockpit hot in souther climes with no thru-flow. Cheers!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, although an opening window adds quite a few complications.

[@pocketcruisersailing]

It would be fairly easy to install an 'off the shelf' rectangular opening port into the already installed front transparency in-situ. Working carefully you could install it in a couple of hours. It would be cheap, easy and attractive. Just an idea! Love the channel...

[@surreyarborist]

I am new to your channel and 4 mins had to pause vid and Google maps Basin Cove. Are you in Maine?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes.

[@leonardbertaux6897]

Next time use butyl tape for the seam at the cabin top.

[@waynebranner6800]

Do we get to meet your folks?

[@saulzain1957]

Did you make any extra patterns for when you have to replace the dodgy dodger?

[@saulzain1957]

Is there a shortage of caulk where you live? Not putting any caulk where you drilled through the dodgy dodger will come back to bite you as you say! Again, your talent shows but the quality of the finish of the dodgy dodger is subpar!

[@flightplan1000]

Yeah, I guess you could do it that way...

[@theeaskey]

I would have put a bead under the Doger before I placed her down.

[@marianoschaller9066]

Nice!!. Next step, figure how to lift the front window so you get som air flow. ( Sure you already figure it out)

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Nope, haven't figured that one out yet. Probably when I get back to the tropics I will start coming up with ideas ...

[@waughthogwaugh3078]

Fatty Knees? Great job on the dodger. You won't know yourself!

[@paulwild4524]

I gotta be honest, I don't think it adds to the look of the boat. I'm sure it will be a practical addition though.

[@waynemazan7485]

siktaflex should have been used...

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I used to use sikkaflex, Boat Life, and ended settling on plain silicone for most applications above the waterline.