Radar arch access

B

BSenzina

New Member
May 30, 2006
67
West Palm Beach
A while back, I added a chart plotter to my electronics on my 1990 310 EC. When I tried to fish the antenna cable thru the arch, I ran into a bad problem. The holes between the radar arch and the hull are not even close to being in alignment….Therefore; I couldn’t run it like that and made other arrangements. Now, I would like to add radar on top of the arch. My question is this. How can I run the cable thru without having to remove the arch? Is there some way to line up the holes again or do I drill new. It’s pretty tight to get a drill into as well. Ok you rocket scientists out here. I have confidence someone out here has the smarts to get this dummy thru this problem.
 
I certainly don't have a definitive answer for you but I have observed electricians use very long drill bits to get into tight spaces. Would it be possible to drill new holes from the underside of the arch if you had one of these long bits?
 
I've also seen right-angle adapters for dremel-type tools and hand drills that allow drilling in tight spaces. As I recall, they are not too expensive and the ones for the hand-held dremel tools are pretty small.

Jeff
 
There are more openings in boats than meet the eye. I pulled a satellite antenna wire from the starboard side of the hard top on my Tiara to a locker on the port side next to the bed. You need a stiff but flexible wire. Tape the wire you are pulling to the flexible wire. I used a shifter cable that is about 10 feet long and fished it through nooks and crannys until I got to the final destination. It takes two people. You end up removing lights, speakers, inspection panels, etc. Once you get as far as you can going through an inspection panel, you will pick up at a light or speaker opening. Eventually you get to where you need to be. Remember to secure all wires to something solid using nylon electrical ties so the wires do not chaff from vibration.
 
If you have to cut and you have a dremel tool, one of there will fit anywhere you can get your hand.

225_lg.jpg
 
Cutting a new hole sure does seem to be the only option. I am just afraid of an "OOPPPSSS"........ Thanks for the dremmel idea...I never thought of that.....and an angle drill might work too, if its kinda small...THANKS! ! ! ! :grin:
 
My experience on two boats with Radar Arch's is THE HOLES NEVER LINE UP.

Both jobs I worked on I thought I would have to drill a new hole. Patients and the proper wire fish tools and even some hand made stuff will get your wires from inside the arch to inside the boat. I have used a flashlight to find the path before. Patients and a good eye. Find your antenna wire and follow it.
 
I work with this tool when I have to go "around the corner" :wink: .
 
Last edited:
I had a '90 310 / 330 DA and ran into the same problem. Where the arch meets the hull on the starboard side the hole was packed tight with wires, cables, ect. I could reach up and feel everything but could not see anything without using a mirror. I don't think a drill can fit up in this area. It took me a couple hours just to get a fish tape thru this hole, but after attaching the antenna cable to it, it was to big to go thru the hole. I ended up using the no longer in use Loran antenna cable to pull the TV antenna cable thru...............major PITA
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,171
Messages
1,427,823
Members
61,082
Latest member
wavespestcontrol
Back
Top