Adding a Chafing Guard to a Dodger

X-HT-300398

It's no secret that your dodger is bound to encounter the wear and tear that comes from everyday use. Exposed to the sun, wind and spray, a dodger provides much-needed protection for the crew. Considering the abuse a dodger can receive, it's also important to consider putting a chafing guard on your dodger. Tune in as we explain more about this practical addition and how to add one to your dodger!
Video Chapters:
  • Cutting Fabric Strip & Adding Length – 0:40 min.
  • Patterning Chafe Guard – 3:27 min.
  • Basting Chafe Guard in Place – 9:55 min.
  • Sewing Chafe Guard – 13:15 min.
  • Materials and Tools List – 20:31 min.
Materials List:
  • Marine Quality Vinyl or Leather #559 (we used Naugahyde® All American Vinyl Fabric #120024)
  • Leather 4-5 oz. Chrome Pearl Grey (#559111)
  • Polyester or Profilen® Lifetime Thread (we used Tex 90 Polyester)
  • Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas #129
Tools List:
  • Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl #120682
  • Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" #101017
  • Deluxe 5 1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide #103597
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine #311602
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Sewing Table #120934
  • Battery Operated Thread Burner #121592
  • Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler #107040
  • Tape Measure, Tape
Adding Chafing Guard to a Dodger 2

The top aft edge of a dodger experiences its fair share of activity. Oftentimes, the sail or gear can rub on the edge, or incessant touching can make your dodger look grubby from fingerprints. For these reasons, you'll want a protective chafe guard to help combat these issues. In this video tutorial, we're going to explain how to sew your own using premium vinyl fabric. Whether you have an extension panel zipper sewn to your dodger or not, this short video will detail how to successfully make a chafe guard.

These chafing guards can be made from high-quality leather or a marine-quality vinyl. For our tutorial, we've chosen to use Naugahyde® All American in the color American Beauty, as it matches our red Sunbrella® Marine Grade Fabric quite well and is both durable and waterproof. We would also recommend Naugahyde® Universal for this project, but ultimately the choice is yours. And, of course, to sew everything together we've chosen the Ultrafeed® LSZ. This portable, powerful sewing machine is equipped to tackle multiple layers of marine fabric with ease, making it ideal for this project.

If you don't have a dodger top yet but you're interested in sewing your own, check out our 2-Bow Dodger Skin Kits. With your choice of a standard or California-style dodger, these kits include all fabric, fasteners and notions needed to create your own custom boat addition. And be sure to show us photos of how your latest DIY turned out in the comments below!

Materials List:

Pearl Grey Embossed Chrome Tanned Cow Leather 3 to 5 oz. Panels

#559111

Pearl Grey Embossed Chrome Tanned Cow Leather 3 to 5 oz. Panels

Naugahyde All American American Beauty 54" Vinyl Fabric

#120024

Naugahyde® All American American Beauty 54" Vinyl Fabric

PremoBond Tex 90 (V-92) White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.)

#123337

PremoBond® Tex 90 (V-92) White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.)

Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.)

#129

Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.)

Tools List:

Sailrite Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24"

#102400

Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24"

Gingher Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8"

#101017

Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8"

Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide

#103597

Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide

Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

#311602

Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

Sailrite Ultrafeed Industrial Sewing Table

#120934

Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table

Sailrite Canvas Patterning Ruler

#107040

Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler

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