I'm going down to Cape Hatteras shortly, and wanted the sun protection of the dodger. Bought one, but encountered the following problem with how the attaching bungees and line loops are sewn. In fact, one bungee was largely already parted on opening. To be fair, the nice carrying sack had thin strips of yellow tape around it--so maybe this is a second, and shipped my mistake. Regardless, I think the design is such that the attachments will not hold.
Notice above that the blue attachment loop leads towards the inside of the dodger. This means that when used to attach the thing, the line is attempting to rip itself off of the cloth, instead of laying flat along it and just needed to be "clamped," so to speak, by the thread.. It may be easier to manufacture this way. But I think it is going to fail. Now look at the bungees
Here you see first the starboard middle bungee starting to separate on opening package, and the port literally already "hanging by a thread."
Now, on the outside of the dodger, here is a look at a very tiny piece of yellow fabric which is apparently meant to serve as a kind of "back up plate." I don't see how this can possibly hold up. I love the boat and think the company is great, but I would hope this can be addressed. I'm returning the dodger I bought. WHAT ABOUT YOU OTHER DODGER OWNERS?? WHAT DOES YOURS LOOK LIKE.
Also, the instruction to "thrubolt" the snaps to the hull seems ludicrous. Possibly two people could accomplish this, but I'm not sure...