Transplanting radar arch from 260 to a 240?

Oct 3, 2022
41
Boat Info
2011 Sundancer 240
Engines
Boatless
Would this be crazy? I have a friend with the same year 260 who doesn’t want his, I do… lol just a cursory glance at both boats tells me it should fit. I’m reasonably handy so it seems like something I could pull off if it’s doable.
I’m guessing if I do get it on, the bimini would have to be modified, but I haven’t gotten that far in my planning… neither of us have even figured out how much it weighs yet lol

Any thoughts?
 
Would this be crazy? I have a friend with the same year 260 who doesn’t want his, I do… lol just a cursory glance at both boats tells me it should fit. I’m reasonably handy so it seems like something I could pull off if it’s doable.
I’m guessing if I do get it on, the bimini would have to be modified, but I haven’t gotten that far in my planning… neither of us have even figured out how much it weighs yet lol

Any thoughts?
Sure it's possible. Hope you're up for some serious fiber glass and gel coat work if you want it to look right.
We need some pics of both boats and you need a tape measure for starters as the beams of both surely are different.
 
Sure it's possible. Hope you're up for some serious fiber glass and gel coat work if you want it to look right.
We need some pics of both boats and you need a tape measure for starters as the beams of both surely are different.
Thanks! Weirdly, the beam is the same on both boats, according to the specs.

If you or anyone has any experience with prying it off and has any tips or advice, I’d appreciate it! Both boats are in storage right now so we’re just going by photos of how it might be attached.

Is there anything that needs to be repaired on the donor boat? I’d like to get that out if the way for him first.
 
If you do that, you may as well put hinges on it for two reasons. As a way to secure it to your boat, and to lower it if needed for pulling down the road.
There will be quite a bit of repairs needed on his boat.
I'll round up a couple of pics later of my boat with the arch off and post them later.
 
Found one. The four round holes are from the original mounting bolts.
Screenshot_20221124-071142_Gallery.jpg
 
Before doing this you may want to consider a few things.
1) You are going to be moving a lot of weight over that will be up high on the 240 making it more top heavy. This may dramatically change the stability of a narrow beam on a lighter boat possibly less stable.
2) As mentioned all canvas and framing will need to be redone. Even if you can keep the framing for the Bimini and Sunshade the visors, side curtains and aft curtains would need to be redone as a custom job.
3) All the wiring for electrical components in the arch like nav lights, cockpit lights, speakers, etc would need to be rerouted and installed (on both boats).

It's a big job if possible and may not even give you the results you're desiring.

-Kevin
 
What model? Sundancer? What year?

Just from memory, I don't recall the two boats (assuming Sundancer) ever sharing the same type of arch due to the smaller mounting pad area on the 240. Compare standard/options using the specs on the SR's website.

You don't want to use pictures for this. Measure, measure, measure.

Anything is possible - but don't expect this to be a simple bolt-on. It will likely require a lot of customization.

Repairing the 260 would entail fiberglassing the holes and gelcoating to make it look original. Unless all he wants to do is to cut a piece of starboard and secure it in place.
 
Before doing this you may want to consider a few things.
1) You are going to be moving a lot of weight over that will be up high on the 240 making it more top heavy. This may dramatically change the stability of a narrow beam on a lighter boat possibly less stable.

Exactly this . At least the +2005 240da is the most tippy hull i ever had and saw. Put a radar arch on top and i think it will get unusable on plane .
 
What model? Sundancer? What year?

Just from memory, I don't recall the two boats (assuming Sundancer) ever sharing the same type of arch due to the smaller mounting pad area on the 240. Compare standard/options using the specs on the SR's website.

You don't want to use pictures for this. Measure, measure, measure.

Anything is possible - but don't expect this to be a simple bolt-on. It will likely require a lot of customization.

Repairing the 260 would entail fiberglassing the holes and gelcoating to make it look original. Unless all he wants to do is to cut a piece of starboard and secure it in place.
They’re both 2011 Sundancers. As far as I know, the 240s never came with a radar arch. I could be wrong though, I just haven’t seen any with one. I’ll definitely measure before getting started. Right now I’m just wondering if it’s even worth planning on.
 
Exactly this . At least the +2005 240da is the most tippy hull i ever had and saw. Put a radar arch on top and i think it will get unusable on plane .
Good to know. Maybe that’s why they never came with one? I was just assuming since the 240 that year seems to be missing a lot of options from prior years that it was price thing for those years. Maybe it is a design thing?
 
They’re both 2011 Sundancers. As far as I know, the 240s never came with a radar arch. I could be wrong though, I just haven’t seen any with one. I’ll definitely measure before getting started. Right now I’m just wondering if it’s even worth planning on.
You're correct - that specific model of a 240DA never had an arch as an option. I believe the previous version of the 240DA had an aluminum arch that was available some years, but that doesn't really play into this scenario.

I think the 260DA's "mounting patch" for the arch is larger than the same area in your 240DA. But a quick measurement will provide a "no go" or a "possibly... but needs more thought" situation.
 

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