Adding an aluminum Radar Arch

[Nehalennia]

Has anyone here added an aluminum radar arch?

I was at the Seattle Boat show today and saw a couple that were intriguing to add and then add radar, relocate the VHF antenna and add a GPS antenna.

Thought I would see if anyone else has done or looked into doing it.

 

[Sorrento 25]

Done it. I bought mine surplus from Kendor Marine in Franklin, WI (greatlakesskipper online and Ebay). The front mounts bolted right up and the rears required some brackets fabbed. The VHF antenna isn't relocated and the radar is not yet mounted. It makes a very convenient handhold at times!

I hope to integrate a sunshade/bimini into it at some point.

 

[Jack F]

I see that it's an option on the 2008 240DA, has anyone seen one installed?

 

[Nehalennia]

Done it. I bought mine surplus from Kendor Marine in Franklin, WI (greatlakesskipper online and Ebay). The front mounts bolted right up and the rears required some brackets fabbed. The VHF antenna isn't relocated and the radar is not yet mounted. It makes a very convenient handhold at times!

I hope to integrate a sunshade/bimini into it at some point.

Do you have any pictures?

I see that it's an option on the 2008 240DA, has anyone seen one installed?

I haven't on the newer 240DA's

 

[sbw1]

We had one built for our 86 30 foot weekender. We ordered the boat without the factory arch because we did not care for the design. We had a custom arch maker build one for the boat that was functional but more pleasing to the eye. The intall was pretty easy and took about an hour. You could so the same thing on a smaller boat and pick up lots of new potential for electronic goodies. The cost was $1,500 installed. No idea what the charge would be today.

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Todd,

Here is a picture of my factory installed arch for the 280SS. It came as part of the fish package I have on my boat. It is above the canvas and as you can see mounts to the hull sides. The arch tubes are hollow and allow for cable routing. I have two UHF, a GPS, and RADAR antennas mounted up there. There are two lights in it as well that light up the cockpit very nicely. It has four rocket launchers and I am thinking about putting outriggers up there also.

I do not like the forward leaning arches since I stand at the helm and they tend to hit my head.

Those are not the current UHF whips I had to replace them.

 

[Sorrento 25]

Mine is very similar to the one above in design and mounting. I found the custom built cost was in the $2000-2500 range and I paid $925 for mine and maybe another $100 for the custom brackets in the back. They do allow me to fold the arch back for service and reducing height which is nice. I don't have any current pics.

It is actually a Cobalt wakeboard arch so I need to weld on provisions for radar and VHF antenna mounting as well as drill the holes for the cabling. I'd also like to install overhead lights.

 

[Nehalennia]

Todd,

Here is a picture of my factory installed arch for the 280SS. It came as part of the fish package I have on my boat. It is above the canvas and as you can see mounts to the hull sides. The arch tubes are hollow and allow for cable routing. I have two UHF, a GPS, and RADAR antennas mounted up there. There are two lights in it as well that light up the cockpit very nicely. It has four rocket launchers and I am thinking about putting outriggers up there also.

I do not like the forward leaning arches since I stand at the helm and they tend to hit my head.

Those are not the current UHF whips I had to replace them.

Mine is very similar to the one above in design and mounting. I found the custom built cost was in the $2000-2500 range and I paid $925 for mine and maybe another $100 for the custom brackets in the back. They do allow me to fold the arch back for service and reducing height which is nice. I don't have any current pics.

It is actually a Cobalt wakeboard arch so I need to weld on provisions for radar and VHF antenna mounting as well as drill the holes for the cabling. I'd also like to install overhead lights.

Thanks for the pics and ideas. I was hoping to somewhat mimic the forward facing factory fiberglass arches, but have it be slightly taller and allow for the canvas to remain underneath. We'll see, arch lights would be nice to have under the canvas

 

[Carver370]

If you had the arch above the canvas you can have some small pieces of round eisenglass put in the bimini to bring the light in from the arch lights. They have this on a few models directly from Sea Ray.

 

[Nehalennia]

If you had the arch above the canvas you can have some small pieces of round eisenglass put in the bimini to bring the light in from the arch lights. They have this on a few models directly from Sea Ray.

Not a bad idea. We're going to get another season or two out of this canvas and depending on how we build/buy the arch, maybe integrate it at that point.

Thanks for all the ideas so far.

 

[hbass]

I have just hired an aluminum fabricator to make a custom aluminum arch, then wrap in sheet metal, then paint it white and it should look like a fiberglass arch. I am planning on 4 LED arch lights, 2 side mounted speakers, and maybe a GPS antennae. He is also going to put some access panels in. We will mount it over the bimini/camper top, and next year do a new canvas to enclose it. This year we will do the eisenglass for the lights and screens for the speakers. Pictures in about 4 weeks to follow

We have a 1985 300 Sundancer.

HB

 

[hbass]

http://gallery.me.com/hbassewitz#100119

I did it (finally)...check out the pictures. I had a local Aluminum craftsman make it for me. He even installed the 4 LED lights and the two speakers...makes it awesome at night!