A. I. Dodger

Howdy everyone,

Purchased a dodger for my Adventure Island and will be installing it soon. Anybody have any trouble installing the dodger & does anyone have any tips for installing the dodger:?:

Thanks,
SkipSail

I know Mickeymouse has one. Where are you Mickey?

Looking forward to seeing a report on how you like it SkipSail.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Thanks for the heads up Slaughter
I have fitted the dodger to 2 AIs - my original 2009 model and more recently my new 2011 AI.
As with most things, it's much easier the second time than the first.
The first time, I meticulously followed the fitting instructions and also had the assistance of my old mate Pirate, who was keen to help me fit mine before he fitted his own.
What we learnt from this experience is that the fitting instructions are not as good as they could be and some modification was required. (Pirate modified his installation to avoid the initial problem mine had)
The fitting instructions caused the dodger to be placed under too much strain, which caused the fabric to pull away from the edging.
This issue can be avoided if you take care and some assistance from a patient and thoughtful assistant will help.
I can provide more info but not tonight.
It's not difficult & would be a breeze once you've done one.

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

I transferred my 'AI' dodger over to my new TI. The dodger has an 'installation kit' of snaps and other fasteners. The fasteners are permanently attached to the hull. Hobie sells the kit separate from the dodger. So I was able to duplicate the setup on the TI. I bought two kits and am able to use the dodger in either the forward or rear cockpit.
As mentioned in the above thread, don't position the attachment points so far apart that the dodger fabric is stretched too tight. I found that by carefully placing the uninstalled dodger on the cockpit, I was able to locate the correct positions for the snaps, etc. I started on one end and one side and slowly installed the dodger, positioning the attachment points as I went.
The dodger is especially convenient when you have crew aboard in the forward seat and there is a lot of cold water coming over the bow.

Thanks for the tips Tidalwave and Mickey. I will let you two know how everything works out to install my dodger. I just replaced the mast drum on my AI and purchased the tramps to use this season. I am waiting for dry, warmer weather up in Kenora, ON. so I can try out the repairs and the new add-ons.

I will try to post some picture's of my install of the dodger. With the lake temp at Lake-of-the-Woods, near us, at 63, I need less spray and I hope the dodger will do just that.

SkipSail

I have bought a doggier for the forward cockpit of my TI.
I understand that I have to find out the positions of the eyelet posts myself. Can anyone confirm that the two foremost post shall be placed just behind the front hatch and the next pair 2" behind the "foot" of the crossbar? I suppose I shall fit the "tent battens" and then find out where to place the other posts.
Has anyone any ideas about how to handle the furling line from the back seat with the dodger erected at the front seat?.

The dodger is for my springer spaniel.

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Bo Karlberg
Taby
Sweden
Sail Tandem Island No P1787 in the Stockholm Archipelago (some 40,000 islands and rocks)

boka1942: you are correct on where to place the forward fasteners. I installed the fiberglass rods into the dodger before installation. If possible, have an assistant help you mark the dodger fastening points as you make your way aft (the rods will be bowed and under tension). I used a permanent marking pen to mark the attachment points. Don't over-stretch the dodger. It is a compromise between causing the fabric to be to tight (and tearing away eventually) and too slack.
During my first measurements (per instructions) to place the attachment points, I found that some of the snap positions would have over-stretched the dodger. The attachment points are mirror images of each other, port and starboard. So after installing a snap on one side and snapping the dodger on, I positioned the dodger over the cockpit and then marked the equivalent point on the other side.

The furling line runs under the front of the dodger back to the cleat. Because you aren't continuously using the furling line so there is little wear on the dodger. I haven't found any noticeable wear on my dodger from the line.
Practice furling and unfurling with the dodger on...your movements will be restricted somewhat with the dodger tenting over the cockpit.

Tank you very much Tidalwave for your useful advise. I will let you know when the installation is done.

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Bo Karlberg
Taby
Sweden
Sail Tandem Island No P1787 in the Stockholm Archipelago (some 40,000 islands and rocks)

Hey all Dodger Owners
This may sound silly to you (perhaps not)?
I usually take 1 tramp along to make it easier to get into the boat whilst running into the minor surf here; do a quick shift to center, grab ahold of the mast and plunk myself down in my seat.
Does the Dodger (either up or down) make you rethink/redo your intro/outro to/from your boat?
Thanks
Fred

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