Sailing Umavideo

Building the Ultimate Hard Dodger (Part 3) | Step 437

18 April 2025 · 28 min · 139K views

What this video covers

The crew of Uma constructs a hard dodger by building a female plywood mold to shape a 4-square-meter, 25-millimeter-thick foam top.5:31 They laminate fiberglass to both sides of the foam to create a structural composite, opting against vacuum infusion to simplify the process.5:50 After curing, the team uses neighbors to help lift the rigid top onto the boat frame during windy conditions.17:46 They trim the front panels by five centimeters to ensure the dodger slopes forward, allowing rainwater to drain off the sides rather than into the cockpit.20:38 The crew sands the structure, wipes it with acetone, and applies a coat of primer to protect the fiberglass from UV degradation.25:42 Future steps include glassing the interior, cutting openings for windows, and installing solar panels on the finished surface.27:00 The project prioritizes structural integrity and weight reduction for the cruising vessel.6:35

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