E35: How to Build Your Own Dodger for a Sailboat

[@IslandGirlJane]

Holly, Your positive and fun attitude is inspiring! My Dad introduced me to sailing at 8 years old in UK We lived on an island in the River Thames. He sent me on an adventure upriver age 10 with my brother on his newly restored double ender sailboat "Taliho" Learn by experience ... Later he inspired me to transatlantic with my 12 year old son. What an adventure. My son grew up so fast after that adventure, he just wanted to go live with his Dad in Australia and now is a cattle farmer ! Dads are so important in our lives and you have one of the best! I wish I had your youth again and I wish my Dad was here with me . He died in 1986 age 66, too young, retired in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, where he spent his days lobster fishing on Clairvoyant a fishing boat he designed and had built He was a Viking and I believe that it is in my blood too . Your whole family are amazing I too learned to make canvas and cushions for many years later in the US very successfully So, you inspire me and at age 69 to give up the shore life and get out there, sell my condo and get away from Fake Florida . There is only one shot at this age! I wish you the best You have made me laugh out loud in your blogs during this Covid Pandemic I share your joy of sailing Thank you!

[@AWBepi]

Is it me or are your Dads hand enormous? You have made the right choice with your sailing. When you pass on someday you will see a lifetime of beauty and adventure while many will see a flip book of a computer monitor. So happy for you. You are leading the way for many, including me.

[@MouseToes]

Your Dad is indeed a genius! Wonderful what a great relationship you have with your parents and how supportive they are of your sailing. You are blessed!

[@urabus7875]

your Dad is a rock star nice

[@can8tian]

So that's what a dodger is! Lol, I was stumped. I remember how happy I was to replace my vinyl windows on my old boat. Good times.

[@maeilive]

Its not a dodger, its a fancy sprayhood 😅

[@richhunter6414]

Great job getting the Dodger installed and your Dad is a real craftsman!

[@LouCipsLife]

Unbelievable job on the dodger. Your dad is such a crafty guy.

[@sandaysunday7997]

What is there your family cannot do? One day when Im a little better off financially..I would love to help. Im currently saving my coins for an islet transplant. Im so proud of you, and your family. Your parents success lies in they ways they watered, tilled, and nutured you into this incredible able bodied, lovely inspiring individual you are. Such a wonderful example of courage, strength, resilience, and perserverance! Yet gentle, kind, guving, and loving person you are. Im still binging my way through your episodes. I hope to never catch up so there always be another to look forward to.😊💕

[@timsmith6700]

Coming to this late. Your dad is awesome. And your descriptive style is great to hear. Enjoying your journey. Stay well.

[@tossed_about]

Wow, fabulous effort by you and your dad with the dodger - it'll make an amazing difference to a small boat like yours .. dry at last ! Be safe on your trip, I know you won't get this til later but I'm sure all your fans are wishing the same thing right now.

[@nzwedjat]

apologies if this has been previously explored..... Your 'old man', Dad, father.... I'm not sure how to say this, him :- 'letting you go', 'being secure in your skills', as a parent, I am am in ore of all of you both:- an epic journey, pretty much on your own, reliant on just yourself and what you've been taught, Respect!

[@anthonyvespia6662]

Holly you alway's bring a smile to my face! "Cheap as fu.k drill" LMFAO 🤣🤣 You've done so much on your own. It just shows us all, anyone can make there dream come true, and live there dream. I love my boat, and have done so much I can't ever Parr with her. Be safe alway's, wherever you are. But that little vessel has seemed to always protect you! 🙏 ⛵

[@theboatman360]

What a great Dad! Nice episode. Be safe.

[@dbentley2195]

Awesome job dad! Also you installing it. ❤

[@samdemello6103]

Holly, you have shown this crazy World how easy it is to enjoy life on Earth the simple way... Wish the rest of the World would catch up to getting back to basics.. Great design on the mini dogger , Your Dad is a great engineer, and you are right there to follow through his designs.. Im working on writing a song about you and your travels.. Don't know how far I'll get since im not very musical. See how it goes ? Wind Hippie Hippie where are you now ? Arrrr!

[@kimyoung230]

Congratulations! That is quite an accomplishment! Nice that your Dad helped out with the plan and sewing. Loved the comment about encouraging your middle-school self on math.

[@stalkmoe]

An artful dodger nicely done- good for your comfort ❤️

[@rncgsu]

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[@womackke]

so glad i found this channel, great work on the dodger to you and pops

[@dave-vf7sm]

Such a strong independent young woman, I’m trying to get my daughter to watch more of your channel in the hope that she will be inspired 👍 safe travels

[@Jakfilm]

My heart started thumping at the shots of Bocas. I love that place. Game-changer is right. That Dodger is gonna be so great.

[@andymarshall2201]

Both you and your Dad are very talented. Your parents must be very proud of you. Stay safe.

[@streetracingmiscreant8589]

That is a badass dodger. You and your father did a stellar job. 👍🏻

[@alansailing1387]

A credit to your dad for his sewing and music. I am very impressed with your dodger and pattern design, I had a go one time at making a bimini and a dodger but nothing as good as what you created. well done.

[@chrisphinney6430]

Wow. You are such an inspiration. Keep up the great videos for us stuck at home

[@CaptainSeaCelt]

Great job on the Dodger! Somethings in Life are Not Taught but Lived as you have already discovered & will discover on your Trip. I've watched about 15 or so of your videos over the last 4-5 days makes for very interesting viewing and many of us do enjoy a Great Adventure Story and 'by gum Lass' this is Your story...Good Luck & Safe Passage.

[@IcyMidnight]

Woah! That turned out really well. It's so awesome that you & your dad were able to make a dodger internationally :D

[@pdutube]

That's quite an artful dodger, it'll be a game changer for sure. You and your family's resourcefulness is inspiring. I hope your journey is swift, safe, and enjoyable!

[@svgitana2499]

Looks great!!

[@nasanction]

Your dad did a great job! Your gonna owe him a bunch of hugs and kisses for this one! ;)

[@rodrigopanchiniakfernandes3148]

You are the best sailing vlogger! Thanks for all the the teaching.

[@outinaboutmark2394]

Simply amazing, you and your dad are very impressive

[@jayybone6227]

Dad ROCKS

[@navigator902]

You inspire me girl.... I'm making a new dodger for my large PCC cockpit, hand made just like your Dad's... sat down and drew it and like you.... life lessons are unknown adventures we learn not to fear,or ignore, half way we change,.... mini evolution... savor its feel and flavor and repeat all across the Pacific... See ya on the flip flop...

[@TydalWind]

I'll recommend using a 1/4" thick backing plate for your mainsheet padeye that's been drilled and tapped for the mounting screws... make the mounting screws long, and cut/grind the excess off after it's been secured to the deck... that way you won't have the nuts to dent your 'noggin'... you can use that approach for all your thru-deck fittings. A bit more work, but a lot safer. (you can use lock-tite to insure they stay tight.)

[@brucebaldy]

Looks good. The vessel did appear to start to resemble a marina live-aboard , piles of anything and everything everywhere.It's not junk it's art, ballast.

[@SailingwithThomas]

This looks so nice Holly! Its gonna make such a big difference for you👍🏻 Fair winds my dear friend

[@sanjayrao3488]

Awesome craftsmanship, lovely father and daughter team, and great design (simple solution for a complex problem). Thanks for sharing. Fair winds and following seas.

[@richardcranium5518]

Wow ... looks great , y'all really have made that nice !

[@barb-9352]

Beautiful dodger! Thanks for sharing! Your Dad's work is awesome. And I will look forward to your next video.

[@homepie64]

super cool! so jealous! your dad has hands of gold!

[@AndyLaneOlson]

I love your informative videos!, I have a Cat 27 I bought last year and have been doing projects and learning as I go. You gave me a lot of great ideas for my own dodger. I love your channel. Stay safe! -Andy

[@janbal7545]

Great Job on the dodger. Your dad and you did an amazing job together. Where did i miss the making and installing the cockpit shade cover. Safe sailing.

[@APBinVTA]

BEST Dodger EVER

[@EricEversonArtAndDesign]

Well done with the dodger! Staying under it there in the companionway presents a fall hazard, though. Perhaps you could hang a bit of netting at the companionway when you're there to catch you just in case. Bonus points if you can make a hammock chair of it and give yourself a place to sit and relax while you're on watch.

[@scottburrell2729]

Hope your sailing in good seas.love ur show

[@SouthWestNz]

Use the top of a bottle to drill without a mess. Cut it like a funnel and center the drill through the lid.

[@terrywilliams6923]

Great job your dad is very clever and your are just as clever putting it all together.

[@esling77]

Wow between you and your Uber Dad you have a lot going on. Awesome. I will think of you when my Wife and I tackle ours. TY

[@thatguy2408]

Fine job. Good video. Nice doable solution although would have loved to see shell being put together as well. Have you seen Wave Rover? He had quite the interesting solution for being able to take a quick watch look.

[@wayneholman5649]

Great video & dodger welldone holly cheers

[@Everyonesunclewill]

Your a trooper I lov watching your videos

[@caphorn7029]

beau travail miss !!!. maintenant gecko a tout d'un grand. bonne traversée. prends soin de toi.

[@brianhurt3801]

Card board box taped to the ceiling of the cabin that's genius ,

[@Themothershipsailing]

How good are you and your Dad!

[@Saylor-Rob61]

Great teamwork!

[@fransdriesen1311]

Outstanding team work...

[@ackack612]

.....wow, WOW! The detail work on the dodger is outstanding, particularly the boltrope and the back panel. YAY DAD! My question is.....what did you do with the main sheet? I can't tell in the video.

[@Jaantoenen]

Great job. Beautiful.

[@susanc.8009]

Sailrite has step by step how-to videos on how to make a traditional type dodger and what they call a California dodger, which is like a bimini with zip-on sides and front. Theirs is very boxy looking but I made my California dodger on a dodger frame and it looks like a traditional dodger, but with so much more visibility and versatility.

[@sv.chiveonbeekind594]

I just have say your just awesome sauce! You're so inspiring.! Love, be safe, have fun:)

[@kcsloan1984]

Just my two cents. When cutting stainless steel, whatever used to cut said stainless will impregnate the stainless with non-stainless steel allowing rust/corrosion. You will need to treat (paint) the cut or wire brush with a stainless brush

[@amaturearcadia]

That's a very good tip

[@keithcopeland8245]

So cool too bad we cant watchvyou sail across the pacific but I'll be looking forward to seeing your updares. Stay safe out there

[@accobra7515]

That Dodger looks classy. Nice job. Better than getting all wet. Stay safe Holly :)

[@smosh91]

2:40 I was hoping that was a Hamilton Marine catalog! 😆

[@davidk9579]

You are an amazing woman. Great courage and ability. Enjoy the journey.

[@andrewcarter9961]

fantastic it looks fantastic well done

[@Mrbushky]

I agree, your dad is the best!

[@OLDMANTEA]

Best dad!

[@bryonensminger7462]

Dont stress about the hex keys they'll show up as soon as your done and dont need them anymore

[@jamesleaty7308]

Always right were I left them.

[@_PJW_]

@@jamesleaty7308 ...... and the last place you look. 🤨😮‍💨🙄

[@_PJW_]

In my experience they either get lost or are not the size you are looking for. Simple solution : buy a set on a ring. That way they won't get lost so easily and you'll have the correct size at hand. And better still, put a nylon tag on it, like the “Remove Before Flight” tag. Saves a bunch of time looking for it.

[@scottburrell2729]

GOOD LUCK TO YOU .I LOVE YOUR SHOW

[@edfrhes]

My dodger chafed in the corners. Keep eye on them. I put material between the metal and the sunbrella. That seems to be working.

[@Mr.MasterMavrickMusings]

Fair Winds!

[@yahuchanon37]

Why remove the trawler? Its a great tool for tuning the power of the sail.. Great video!

[@moomoo1015ify]

Wow your pretty awesome girl!! Keep it going and always be safe.

[@tomheim8976]

have a safe sail love your vids

[@staalefosse2649]

Så gøye videoer! fantastisk Tv, du er tøff dame😊👍

[@robw2379]

The dodger looks great. Nice addition. Maybe this is a stupid question, but when you get to your destination country, will they let you clear, or are you going to run into a closed borders situtation?

[@Bikerbob59]

Very cool your dad does nice work lucky you. Handy to have those monkey feet for cutting pipe as well as holding the tape eh. :) Enjoy your time at sea. It's better then being cooped up in a apt.

[@randymcmeekin1955]

Why don’t you get a sat Nav phone thingy? That way you can keep up with email and update everybody. I am sure us Patreons can cover the costs...

[@Stenn333]

LoL...getting "the thingy" isn't the problem, it's the monthly subscription cost. 😱

[@davidkilgore9212]

That's awesome

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

Your traveler should be stern mounted at the end of the boom. The further the traveler is moved forward the more the load is increased.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

mine is right next to the tiller, but its personal choice if the construction is sound and the tackle of sufficient strength it would be Skippers Choice, like nearly everything non-regulated onboard

[@udovdh]

Also the pully is only fastened with four screws, no backing plate...

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

@@norml.hugh-mann There was a big yacht in NZ a couple of years ago, the owner decided to move the mainsheet and traveller from the end of the boom to over the cabin to increase room for guests in the cockpit. One day while under sail the boat gybed, the mainsheet block failed under load and swung across the cabin killing a crew member. It was calculated there was 13 tonne of load on the block when it broke in the new position.

[@cbrucewarren]

nice project: why dark and not light color? will be hot in tropics, nyet?

[@stevenlarratt3638]

Holy, when you want a perfect drill hole you can use a punch to make a small indentation then the drill will be pefect. If you cannot find a 6mm allen key, use a 4 and 2mm together as a temporary solution 👍

[@mlindberg12345]

Love your channel but I have to ask if your dad has a channel for guitar? The Tyne in this video he did sounds like the jerry reed guitar compositions I am studying. Or learning. Good channel. Rock on

[@icemanalaska5461]

I just happened upon your channel and you are awesome! Your smart witty and beautiful! Your flare gun will help as safety backup incase someone tries to board your ship. You can also get the BIG can of mace for bears and keep that in reach at all times on the boat. One more a spear gun your allowed to have it can feed you and protect you! Sharks are wonderful neighbors at sea! It's the humans I worry about!! I'm with your POP on the worry thing. Please arm yourself. Giant mace, stun gun , spear gun, you can also put a movement Alarm on your deck so when your asleep at anchor the loud siren will probably run the intruder off which is way better than hiding hoping the thief doesn't enter... You go first take control be smart! Most of all be careful dont trust EVERYBODY Be very aware your by yourself! And Beautiful!!! Take care

[@bryonensminger7462]

You font gave a shop vac you could drill and vacuum up the fiber glass at the same time

[@Eddie-jr6bs]

Who’s your dad? That thing came out great. I require a windless and a dodger. Was going to say that after watching you make a crossing; happy day!

[@timfarmer648]

Super cool

[@svticklemefinn1176]

Great job

[@kevinwilkinson1510]

Yay Dad! Every time your mic cover intrudes into the shot I think to myself, "What are my whiskers doing in this shot?"

[@WindHippieSailing]

Hahaha!!

[@styx85]

Might want to get a pipe cutter next time! :)

[@basilreardon5783]

My/Our first dodger 25yrs ago cost 3k.....never again . So nice to make one for cost of material .

[@djurodjurakaruci6773]

I have tons of these keys, wish I could give them to you through the screen :)

[@davidmalone9022]

Okay, I had to laugh. Most people, preparing to cut something that can't be uncut will say, "Measure twice, cut once." You, instead, said, "I want to get this cut before 5 so that I don't miss happy hour." My kind of woman/person/anyone.

[@russellclement2058]

Good morning Holly

[@alanscott.online]

What type of yacht do you have Holly?

[@csafdari]

Why not just used the framing from a soft dodger,(which come already bowed) but permanently installed with a couple extra fittings and struts.

[@sallyb3]

Will you be able to check into marquis's

[@gregm2074]

Thanks for the brill idea... Can I borrow ur dad? 😁 Well done on making a good template in thos conditions. Enjoy the new space and dryness! 👌👍

[@Nerd3927]

According to google maps you are currently being run over by the Taboga Ferry at Punta Culebra :-)