Wind Dodger for speedboat..?

[Highvelocity]

I would like to create a wind dodger for my speedboat, because it gets cooler in the late afternoon now.  I removed the old windshield because it was worthless. 

My idea is to use the small bow off a nice stainless steel bimini I have laying around.  Set it up going forward, and support it with 2 small poll supports.  I should be able to get a good pull off the front snaps that way. 

Any idea's or things I should consider...??  Easily removable mounts..??

Thanks, Ed

[Mike]

This sounds like what peppy had donenon his old boat made anwindow and a closed bow on an open boat.
The Filthy ore http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/C43F9559-1B26-4876-9C4B-C889F0A9526A-1130-00000127C6D905CB.jpg

On yours Ed Id attach it tothe boat with a white flexitrac.
Id had a sutphen with no window nice in the summer but it was cold in the fall
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/Copy2ofHW.jpg

Ive seen but dont know where to buy a fitting that will adjust anstrit with a tunnukle loke liece so tou could put the support leg on then really get it tight sith them

[Highvelocity]

WOW..!! What Peppy did looks awesome...!!  Your right, mine will be similar. 
So you are thinking I will need adjustable supports in the front instead of ridgid...?? Hmmm..thanks Mike

[Mike]

You. Could do it with a normal support leg. But it would be cool to be able to make it tighter then it streaches a bit from wind or the sun. You could always use polycarbonate rigod as it would be semi permanate while its cold.

[DBR1957]

You can get adjusting external end plugs from Performance Textiles. Like regular eye ends but the eye part
unscrews to adjust. In the 1" size they make a right and left hand version so you can twist the pole in place
and it will shorten or lengthen. They don't have a website but I will scan the page later and email to you.

[Peppy]

Hey look that's my boat! Thanks Mike, saves me finding the link on my ipod.

I found I didn't need the bar under the window. It helped patterning it but didn't do anything for the canvas. I took it out and replaced it with dingle balls. I had posts (from the travel tarp) pushing up on the top bar. Later I changed those to little tension bars that clipped to the side. At the back corners I put adjustable straps pulling back. I'll try to find some pictures.

By the way Mike, how do you post photobucket links with your iPhone? I have nothing but trouble and use imgur now.

[Peppy]

http://i.imgur.com/LvBoD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0U5p9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aEsqZ.jpg

It's mounted on slide track so it can slide forward or flip around and store at the back.

[Mike]

Photobucket jas a app at the app store and each photo has codes avsilble to copy

[Highvelocity]

Peppy, it's amazing how you came you with that design.  It's not something you see out there...very trick. 

I would like to use the existing snap studs for the mooring cover...  I think the angle (45 degrees)will be right inline with the slope of the dodger, which should stop the snaps from poping off.

Another question: how would you do the wrap over the bow..?  Snaps? Zippers? Velcro?  or just sew up a tight loop and slide the bow in...??

[Peppy]

Thanks very much! I had a vision of an inside out dodger and had to try it out. Funny thing is the Filthy Oar had a windshield at one point and somebody turned into a tiller boat. It's come full circle I guess. The boat is currently for sale actually, to make room for my new slightly bigger boat the Sea Hare.

I put zippers on the pockets because I hate sliding frame into a  sewn shut pocket. Sewing it shut might be a little sleaker though. Depends if you want it off the frame much I guess.

Right on Mike. I used that app but it stopped working for me, but that might have been on my old iPod. Maybe I'll give it another go, although I like imgur way more but I can't find clickable thumb links on the mobile apps.

[Mike]

Id just make a tight sleeve no fastner. It would look. Leaner. Think but you will need openeing in the pocket for the support fitting

[Highvelocity]

Here's picture of the frame.  I mounted it over the weekend.  I let my wife set the height, because whatever height I choose would of course be WRONG....hahaha  It actually went on pretty easy, and picked up the isinglass so I just have to create the windshield now...

[Mike]

Is the hight set so you just look over the frame ?
Delends on how tight you pull the vinyl  ut you may need support in the center so the frame dosent flex.
I loke the look sith no window!  But it sould be cold. Unless you dtored it at my dock. For the winter ;)

[Highvelocity]

Mike,  you sit somewhat low in the boat.  So I will be looking through the glass unless I sit on a cushion.  As you can see, the middle of the dash comes out like a vee.  I am hoping that shape will help create some stability.  The bow is made of very good grade stainless steel, heavy actually.  I pushed down on it and it seems pretty solid.  So hopefully if I get a good pull on it, it will give just enough to keep tension.  I hope...lol

[Mike]

I  just thinking of somthing peppy doese tentioning his top frames before patterning oulling tention on the center of the frame then when you pattern the piece in  Your case  the wi dow it will be fit with tentions already.