Extra-large dodger protects family on sailing voyage

Iverson’s Design, Olympia, Wash., United States

Extra-large Dodger

For this extra-large canvas dodger on a Jeanneau 49 sailboat, the client and his family wanted protection from the elements on their two-year sailing voyage at sea. This dodger is unique in its size—the largest dodger the company has built. It was a challenge to build it so large and maintain structural integrity, as well as keep the aesthetics in line with the style of the boat.

The project was successful. The dodger was extended aft as far as possible, through the use of a third bow. The structural integrity was accomplished with the use of stainless-steel tubing and rigid compression struts forward and aft. Safety was achieved with the additional welded-on back grab-rail and side grab-rails.

The dodger was an important piece of equipment for this two-year voyage at sea, so it had to be of excellent quality and integrity. This project won an Award of Excellence in the marine projects sailboats category of the 2007 International Achievement Awards.