Sailing Uma · video

What this video covers

Dan and Kika are replacing the soft fabric dodger on their boat, Uma, with a custom-built hard dodger.4:41 The project begins with a preliminary mock-up using thin wood strips and a glue gun to determine the physical volume, height, and sightlines for the helm.5:11 To ensure the structure accommodates the main winches and provides adequate clearance for the companionway, the crew extends the aft section of the dodger.8:32 They use a string-based reference grid to establish a center line, accounting for the boat's slight asymmetry, and then construct a second, more accurate template using 12mm plywood.15:22 This test build allows for adjustments to window angles and panel shapes before cutting the final pieces from marine-grade plywood.12:42 The final assembly is screwed together and checked for symmetry, with corner measurements showing a variance of only 1mm to 3mm.20:04 The next phase involves fairing the structure and glassing the interior and exterior surfaces.20:52 Building a physical template before cutting expensive marine plywood prevents costly errors in geometry and fit.12:36

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