2026 Archive : Asylum

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sunbrella
Producer/Manufacturer: Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

TuffakAR2
Producer/Manufacturer: Plaskolite
Primary Use: Clear Portion of panels

Fabric 3

Top Gun
Producer/Manufacturer: Marlen Textiles
Primary Use: Secondary Fabric

Design Name
Blake Rafferty

Design Company
Ready-About Canvas Works

Fabrication Name
Blake Rafferty

Fabrication Company
Ready-About Canvas Works

Please describe the project specifications

"Asylum" is a retired IOR race boat that my client and his young family are fitting out as a fast cruiser. I built, from scratch, a new dodger to fit the overall look of the boat as as well as provide protection for the crew while not impeding their ability to move around to handle lines. The frame and fittings are 1-1/4" stainless steel and I paid careful attention to blend with the visual cues of the boat like the crown of the cabin top and the slope of the coaming. I installed Keder track on both sides of the traveler frame. The aft side has a zipper so the center window panel can be folded up for airflow. Since there is no companionway trunk on this boat, I closed off the gaps under the traveler track with a curtain attached to the deck, but with a swinging flap to allow the sliding hatch to pass through. This flap has a piece of fishing net lead line sewn into the hem to make it drop back down when the hatch is closed. Any spot where running rigging passes is lined with leather. All window panels are two layers of Sunbrella marine canvas with folded edges where the clear view is revealed. Any fastener locations are reinforced either externally or between layers with Topgun. I also made new one-piece dodger cover as well as covers for the wash boards, main winches, bulkhead instruments, tiller, and mainsail.

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