Dear Jason:

I thought you'd like to hear how the dodger you fabricated for us held up during a storm with 50 mph winds and 25 foot seas off the coast of Oregon this past September.

Recall you created the sunbrella and plastic sides to the hard dodger that Pacific Seacraft built. You also built our bimini and the piece that connects the dodger to the bimini. We had the dodger and bimini up during the storm, but not the connecting piece.

On our cruise from Grays Harbor to San Francisco we were overtaken by a storm near Depot Bay Oregon. The storm originated in Gulf of Alaska and was travelling at 26 knots down the coast, we thought we'd be able to out run it but unfortunately that didn't happen. For 3-days winds over 45 mph blew and seas over 25 feet created dangerous conditions. We took water over the side and stern many times. We were surfing down waves and hit 16.5 knots at one point. The hanks on the staysail began to break and finally we had to take it down and motor through the last day of the storm. The cockpit was flooded at least 4 times. One particularly big wave slammed into the side of the dodger so hard the sound was almost deafening. But through it all, not even one snap came undone on the dodger.

Needless to say we are very pleased with our Iverson's dodger, and just thought you should know that your fabrication can stand up to heavy weather.

Best regards, Craig

Dear Jason:

I have delayed months in writing in this letter because I know I can’t make it short enough! In case you haven’t time today to read its entirety, let me just cut right to the chase here and say… our new Hylas 46, s/v Mersoleil, has the most beautiful and functional dodger on the planet earth. We are completely delighted with it and working with you has been a great pleasure.

Now, to expand a bit on why we feel that way.

High on the agenda for our visit to the Annapolis Sailboat Show in 2008 was “look at dodger designs and identify the things we like about handsome dodgers.” We came home greatly disheartened with 160 photos captioned “Don’t do THIS” and not a single winner. At the next Seattle boat show we quickly identified Iverson dodgers as smart, tight as a drum, beautifully crafted examples of what we wanted for our own vessel.

When you and I met the first time it was immediately evident that you appreciated our wishes to provide cover without the dreaded pilothouse look, to add a graceful dodger that flows compatibly with the sleek lines of the boat, to place sturdy grab rails at strategic locations for safety on the high seas. As a designer, myself, I felt sure we could hand over our list of parameters and sit back in confidence that the finished product would exceed our expectations for style, quality and functionality.

Of course, we were delighted with the result! The finished dodger actually enhances the elegant lines of the boat, far exceeding our hope that we could cover the cockpit without destroying her beauty.

And we’re not alone in our opinion. Read on for reviews by others who have seen and admired your work on Mersoleil…

We sailed Mersoleil to Oakland in April where she starred in the 2010 Strictly Sail Pacific show. Kyle Jachney, owner of Hylas Yachts, hadn’t seen the boat since she was commissioned last December. When Kyle arrived at Jack London Square Marina I was eager for him to board Mersoleil and see our lovely interiors. Instead Kyle stood speechless on the dock for the longest while. Finally, this, from one of the best yacht builders in the business: “That’s a great dodger. Gee. That’s really a beautiful dodger. Who built this for you? This is really a gorgeous dodger! We’ve been looking for someone who can build dodgers for us on the West Coast. Who did this work?”

Throughout the show the response to your canvas work was incredible, Jason. Literally dozens of people noted your name in hopes that you’ll travel to California or Florida or elsewhere to work on their vessels.

Delivering the boat to that show was no small feat. The North Pacific in early April dishes out quite a ride! Twenty foot seas and gale force winds carried us along at such an amazing clip that we sailed the 1000 or so miles from Seattle to San Francisco in 5 ½ days. Under staysail alone Mersoleil surfed at 16.9kts in 49kt winds. She took a knockdown, too, from a wave over the side that filled the cockpit, tore at the canvas, threw me out of my berth and disgorged the contents of the galley lockers onto the floor. The dodger? Our Iverson dodger arrived in Oakland with every single stitch in place looking as perfect as the day it was installed. Every zipper, every snap held fast. Every panel, every window remained smooth, tight and silent in the high winds. Our dodger loved the ride and was ready for more!

Thank you, Jason, for your thoughtful design and prompt delivery, your sunny personality and your outstanding craftsmanship.

- Bev

Just wanted you to know that many, many times already on this trip we've thanked God and Jason for the cockpit enclosure! The nasty crossing of the straights, the hailstorm... and I'm sure we'll thank him many more times to come! Having a great time! Thanks again!

- Susan & Steve

"Just wanted to pass on greetings – and another thank you for an excellent product in our dodger and enclosure. This is our second winter in Alaska and the cockpit enclosure and dodger has stood up very well, even with some high snow loads and wind gusts of over 80 mph! We’re presently moored in Dutch Harbor , on the Aleutian Chain, and expect to be sailing again by June, probably retracing our path back to the east towards Prince William Sound and across the Gulf. Hope business is booming, and keep making those great looking dodgers! "

My dodger was made by Iverson Design. He was recommended by a friend who had done lot's of ocean cruising so I knew his dodger would be very durable. I remember the first time I walked down the dock and saw Cupcake sporting her new dodger. I thought to myself "Cupcake, you look hot!" Downright sexiest Catalina ever made. Jason was perfection to work with. He came, he measured, he implemented his design and everything has worked perfectly ever since. He uses the best materials.

I think of him when the winds are big and I'm grabbing on to the hand rails and at night when I used the little flash light he tucked into the fabric. Well, I think of him every time I look at the boat because it's the prettiest dodger on the dock.

"We absolutely love the cockpit enclosure you made for our Valiant 40. Through rain, hail, winds and even snow, we stayed warm and dry! It was like having another room with solar heat on the boat. But in addition to being comfortable in the unseasonably cold spring, we are very pleased with your superb workmanship, design, service and energy. We could not be more pleased and highly recommend your services. Thank you!!"

"We met at the Boat Show in Seattle last month where, I think you had spoken with so many people that you were looking forward to an end to the constant flow of people that day, but you were able to impress my wife and I with your enthusiasm and honesty. We talked about our inability to find any producer of quality Dodgers in the Vancouver BC area. You were telling us that we should book an install date ASAP. We were concerned about how we would get our boat down to Bellingham for an extended period to do the Install. We were so impressed with you and your product that we will just have to make it happen at your next available date.

Could you let us know ASAP what your availability is for designing and installing a new dodger for our 37’, 1989 Hunter Legend, and what you need to secure an appointment date."

- Mike & Marty

- Scott

"We just spent a week on "Chinook", a Beneteau 373 based at San Juan Sailing in Bellingham. I am compelled to write and express our amazement at the quality of your dodger/bimini work. Aside from the chart, flashlight, and general built in pockets, we really liked the removable bimini section in the middle. Also, the dodger swivel snaps on the coach roof were very "beefy" and set about every 3 inches. This helped keep our navigation tools from sliding out under the dodger. You do very quality work."

"We spent a week on "Chinook" after taking delivery of her in Seattle. The weather was harsh, winds were high, and our dodger and bimini withstood it all! Your addition of chartpockets on the dodger proved very useful for keeping charts out of the way when not in use, but close at hand when we needed them. Almost every person who boarded "Chinook" commented on the high quality and craftsmanship of your work. Thanks so much. You were a pleasure to work with, and we'll be back for additions!"

"I have seen your excellent and beautiful work and would very much appreciate the opportunity to have you build a dodger, bimini, sail cover, wheel cover etc for my Beneteau First 405. I'm cruising my boat south in mid September and would like the installation to be complete hopefully at the end of August. I know you are very busy but I can't accept compromising once I inspected the aesthetically pleasing and robust design."

"I just wanted to take the time to say bravo to you. I am a fellow fabricator on the East coast. I stumbled onto your web site and let me just say that I am encouraged by your designs. I like it all, the quality of work, the business logo, and the web site. Top notch all the way. Actually I was looking at some older issues of the Marine Fabricator and I saw a picture in the 2004 IAA gallery and decided to check you out on the internet. Well, just wanted to say that it is refreshing to see things done right."

"We are so thrilled with your work. You are a real craftsman and I enjoyed watching you work. We get compliments on our dodger every time we are anywhere and have given your name to many of our friends. It is truly a pleasure to recommend you and your work."

"I saw many of your dodgers at the Seattle boat show, I was completely impressed with the quality of workmanship and the materials you use. When we get our boat we will get a Iverson's dodger for it. Your dodgers have a big effect on the appearance of a boat, changing it from a good looking boat to a great looking boat"

"I've taken the new boat out twice, renewing my sailing skills (after a nine year absence) with family and friends. The boat sails like a dream! The frosting on the cake is your dodger. It not only enhances the lines of the boat but is a work of art in its own right. The workmanship is outstanding and the stainless grab rails add a safety factor for moving about the deck and cockpit that adds to everyone's confidence.

Every dock neighbor has commented on the beauty of the dodger when they welcomed me to the "neighborhood".

Working with you on the design and custom fitting of the dodger was really enjoyable and added immeasurably to the process of buying and commissioning a new boat.

Thank you for creating such a wonderful addition."

"Jason Iverson installed the dodger on our boat today. The guy is an artist! The workmanship is superb! Unlike a lot of independent contractors out there, Jason always returns calls, shows up at the appointed time and is very detail oriented. I gave him some parameters to follow and, most important told him that I wanted the dodger to look like it belonged on the boat rather than an afterthought, like most dodgers. He delivered exactly what we wanted. The dodger looks great! Without hesitation, I'd recommend Jason. His work is top quality and looks great on the boat! (...no, my testimonial did not get me any discount...)"