Dodgers
Dodgers are the cloth banners lashed to the cockpit
guardrails, usually with the boat’s name on them in large letters. It is
“customary” to have these but though its not a legal requirement to have your
boat name displayed this way, it really helps to;
- Keep younger
children and nervous adults feeling safer. - Protects the occupants from flying spray.
- Provides space on
the inside for extra stowage pockets, if desired.
Standard Dodgers run from the front end
of the Pushpit steelwork to the first guardrail stanchion, normally about 2m.
They are made to fit allowing a small gap at the bottom of the cloth and the deck to allow the free running of sea
water. They are normally lashed tightly to the wire rail on top and stretched out between stanchions at either
end. There are usually only 3 eyelets on the bottom edge; 2 at the corners
and 1 in the middle. If you are unlucky enough
to catch a heavy wave whilst heeling, this allows the water to drain quickly
away so as to not damage the stanchions. Its a lot easier to patch a dodger
than to repair stanchions.
Extended
Dodgers can extend forward to the next stanchion along or in between,
though this is not recommended. They can also be made to wrap right round the
back of the pushpit, and be made with full eyelet runs top and bottom to lash to a toe-rail, though again,
for the reasons stated above, this is not usually recommended for dodger on
the sides of a yacht.
Guardrail bags
can be made either as part of the inside of the dodger for smaller stowed
items, or separate bags lashed to guardrails which are more practical for
larger stowage capacity.
Our Dodger Letters are cut from PVC
and sewn on, we do this rather than screen
printing them on because it is far superior under UV light and against the elements. PVC lettering unlike
printed letters, will not break up under uv light, fade or start to crack
& crumble with
age.