2019 Archive : Beneteau 51

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sunbrella
Producer: Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
Supplier: Bainbridge Australia

Fabric 2

Achilles Roll Glass
Producer: Achilles
Supplier: Nolan Group

Fabric 3

Tenara Thread
Producer: Gore
Supplier: Bainbridge Australia

Design Name
Shane Beashel

Design Company
S B Marine Trimming

Fabrication Name
Shane Beashel

Fabrication Company
S B Marine Trimming

Project Manager Name
Shane Beashel

Project Manager Company
S B Marine Trimming

Installation Name
Shane Beashel

Installation Company
S B Marine Trimming

Please describe the project specifications

This spray dodger features 11/4", tapered 3 bow frame with a 1" handrail welded onto the aft frame.
Manufactured in sunbrella colour smoke with clear paneling on front and sides and opening U zip window in the front clear.
It is a one piece cover for strength and aesthetics and providing coverage for 2 sunbeds either side of the companionway.
This spray dodger has 5'9" headroom and measures 90" fore and aft.
It attaches to the boat with zips sewn to kedar and bolt rope track, tensioned aft with 1" webbing and ladder-locks and 6 press studs in total.
Provisions are also in place for other covers extending aft via zippers, and snaps for a window cover.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The client purchased this boat with the intention of living on board for a year or so and cruising with his wife.
After only owning powerboats, much was discussed regarding function, strength and particualy the look.
Either side of the companionway is a sunbed which needed to be under and within the spray dodger area.
The client also requested the he be able to walk under without having to duck.
As this boat would be sailing passages, the strength of the framework was very important to the client.
The client is very aware that the look of the spray dodger can change the look of the boat, so was very particular and well researched on the look but was heavily guided throughout the process as he understood the challenges.

What is unique or complex about the project?

There was many factors to consider when designing this spray dodger.
The area that the spray dodger attaches to the boat on the front edge is a straight line measuring 100". This is to cater for sunbeds on the cabin top. The mainsheet attaches to the deck just 4" further forward of this straight edge, leaving only 2" fore and aft to create a curve to match any framework. To duplicate this shape into the frame would create a very square and boxy spray dodger, so instead, the frame was made with the normal tapers that look good regardless of the mounting shapes.
The client requested a frame stronger than standard, so a 11/4" , 3 bow frame with 18" radius corners was made.
A 1" handrail was welded onto the aft frame to provide a handhold at sea, and provide extra strength across the span of the biggest frame, ( the aft frame is wider than the other two frames).
It was important to take the boxy look away, so the frame is a lot narrower than were the cover attaches to the boat on the cabin side.
What this created was a very tricky pattern to take as the fabric would only touch the frame at the top, and only some of the corners. The whole sides were floating off the frame and considering that there were 4 different panels to join, the pattern had to be overlapped under full tension to be accurate.
The other challenge was the requested height of 5'9", which would also contribute to the boxy look. This was overcome by using length fore and aft. there was no restriction here, so the coverage fore and aft ended up at around 90", putting into propotion, the height.
The final challenge was the size of the panels during manufacturing. The front clear panel for example measured 5 metres in length. Each panel was made as close to finished as possible, then joined together right at the end to make it as easy as possible.

What were the results of the project?

After an enormous amount of work in preparation and manufacturing, the installation took only 20 minutes. The client was present during the install so was very impressed that it all went so easily. The end result was more than the clients expectations with a huge amount of coverage and more room to use the sunbeds and better vision than expected.
The taper on the framework, length and use of clear, reduced the boxy look and provided a stylish, functional and strong spray dodger

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