Bow dodger/canopy/spray hood

[Gazzago]

Seeing this a long time after you wrote it but wanted to say thanks. You’ve inspired me [emoji1]

[EdSutton]

Hi Big Al

I would like to do something similar to your nose/bow cover

It looks like you've used some relatively easy to find hardware materials - could you detail what you used? Did you make the black wooden board up?
Where did you find the waterproof material?

Thank you!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by EdSutton

Hi Big Al



I would like to do something similar to your nose/bow cover



It looks like you've used some relatively easy to find hardware materials - could you detail what you used? Did you make the black wooden board up?

Where did you find the waterproof material?



Thank you!

What boat are you fitting it to Ed?

[Big Al C]

Hi. Ply is just bog standard. Plenty of paint, doesn't really gets wet and used 3 or 4 days at at time.
Pipe is electrical conduit.
Pvc cloth..... no stitching, all glued with one part pvc glue.
Ply held in place with the D rings on the bow which would be used for a bow bag. Then a karibiner to stop it lifting which then holds the conduit curved rail in place. Bungee cord in brass eyelets with hooks in each loop.
Thinking about fitting a clear pvc square in to aid vision or a complete clear canopy?
Cheap as chip really.

[EdSutton]

Hi Pikey Dave,
To a Bombard Aerotec 380
I’ve always read this forum but never posted, so here I am!
Thanks
Ed

[EdSutton]

Yes, and looks simple to construct - I sill give it a go in few weeks and report back

[TmMorris]

I'm also embarking on making a spray cover.

The basic plan is to use some PVC sheeting that I have, once to shape to fit brass eyelets for hook and bungeeing to the rubbing strake.

I've been experimenting with how to create the hoop and plan to use a 3mm kite rod slotted through a short section of reinforced PVC hose bonded into the top, leading edge with each end slotting into shorter, Stubbs of the same hose that will be tied to eyelets on top section of the tubes where the safety rope is threaded. As per the test:

[Fenlander]

Funnily enough afte being unsure one would benefit us I'm bit of a convert after the brief trial with the excellent Elling bow dodger. Going to get the Aerotec inflated and trial a few ideas. I'd be very pleased to produce something as good as Big Al C above.

Mrs F wants me to commission the local boat cover maker but we'll see.

[TmMorris]

I've put my design on hold for the time being as while the concept worked on land the PVC material was too heavy and if moving at 15 knots into a wind it was clear that some form of upright was going to be needed as per the original Avon design I have on the Redcrest.

I'm going to wait until I have the chance to see just how much spray is an issue once I get the chance to take the boat out!

[Fenlander]

I was impressed by the Elling canopy being so robust in a really gusty wind given the only rigid support is the main alloy hoop at the rear.

The only reason ours bounced loose was that I'd not fitted/glued on the buckle patches that are essential to keeping the spray strip hooks tight in place. With those on properly I reckon it would be a very secure setup.

[Tonus]

I've been looking at the excel one on and off and just noticed that they have it listed as 'Currently Unavailable'. Shame because I thought £90 sounded quite reasonable. I wonder where they were sourcing them from...

[Fenlander]

Yes I'd noticed that re the Excel ones... also noticed this...

https://www.mes-marine-shop.co.uk/pr...nopy-up-to-38m

But I think for the Aerotec it might need to be custom/DIY as the bow is very pointy compared to many SIBs.

[Tonus]

Aha thanks - yes I saw this listing earlier in the year I think. They were out of stock for a while if I remember... cheers.


Yeh, the boat pictured in your link looks very 'D' shaped. My Zodiac is somewhere between that and yours...

[Brinormeg]

I've been trying to get one since I placed my order at Excel for other stuff. Terry said last week he expects it could be at least September before he has any more in. I think PD has an Excel one on his voliare and maybe Steve and others have too. They look to sit alot lower and less upright compared to the Elling but could just be the camera angles.

Ebay has loads of folk selling different suitable materials for a d.i.y effort which I might give a try yet!

But want to run in the new outboard without it first because I imaging they can act as a sail in some conditions which might interfere with my taco/rev readings.

[paddlers]

Took a good few pictures of the Excel one on my Honwave 3.5 AE.

[paddlers]

Nice well made bit of kit.[ATTACH]137892[/A

[TmMorris]

I believe the latest version also just hooks to the rubbing strake so doesn't require any glueing.

[Fenlander]

Just found these that look interesting, German site that will post to the UK and have several sizes. Each size listing has dimensions in the extra images..

https://bengar.de/en/aufblasbarer-bu...ote-small.html

About £92 delivered so similar to Excel prices... except I've no idea re vat/customs these days.

[TmMorris]

Have succumbed and decided to buy the Excel one. Not planning on spending much on the hobby this season but the canopy would have been a useful thing last year with young children.

They seem to have a few left in stock although you never quite know what that means with Excel as they always seem terminally depressed and you get the feeling that even if the lottery was won they'd still be really unhappy about how it had ruined their life. They certainly make you feel guilty for disturbing them.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by TmMorris

Have succumbed and decided to buy the Excel one. Not planning on spending much on the hobby this season but the canopy would have been a useful thing last year with young children.

They seem to have a few left in stock although you never quite know what that means with Excel as they always seem terminally depressed and you get the feeling that even if the lottery was won they'd still be really unhappy about how it had ruined their life. They certainly make you feel guilty for disturbing them.

so true

Make sure you order the right size Tim, they come in 2 sizes.