Fiberglass radar arch for a CD 22'?

C spot swim

I was just wondering if anyone has gone this route for a radar arch rather than metal; I am considering it.

Any thoughts pro or con?

Thanks.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject:

C spot swim-

These are not very commonly discussed around here at all, if ever!
(To my memory!)
Do you have any examples of commercially available, ready-made, fiberglass radar arches?

Joe. Teeth

thataway · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject:

Many production boats use Fiberglass/polyester radar arches. But the tooling for one would be relitatively expensive. Many of them are actually aluminum, with paint--rather than glass. The arch has to be hollow, for the wiring (and weight).

It certainly could be done--but unless you want to make your own molds, It would be expensive. My Radar mount is PVC pipe--and I have done 4 Radars that way, and it works well. (and cheap).

breausaw · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:09 am Post subject:

The ones I have seen are on larger boats, appear heavy and lack the flexibility and modification characteristics of tubular aluminum or stainless.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:26 pm Post subject:

Fiberglass arches are ususally used to blend the arch into the overall boat design. Since the C-Dory "look" isn't about sleek and sexy, I would think a fiberglass arch would look odd on the boat.

It would certainly be interesting to see one done, though.

C spot swim · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject:

I have a call out to fiberglass shop to see if it can be done locally. There are a few images on the internets but none that really strike me as proper for a C-Dory yet.

If I can't get it done locally, I probably won't do it at all and just stick with a bolton stainless radar arch.

I'll keep you all posted when I find out.

Cheers.

thataway · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 7:11 pm Post subject:

Are you going to glass a fiberglass radar arch onto the C Dory roof? If so, consider how your are going to do that. To make it blend in, will not be easy or cheap. If you are having a fiberglass shop build an arch, then I assume that you would have them also apply it to the boat. You will still have to deal with a hollow structure, for wiring. You will have to have access into the center of the arch.

C spot swim · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject: Fiberglass radar arch a 'no go'

Just an update, couldn't find a willing fiberglass expert to make an arch. No worries, went with a nice stainless. Sometimes money won't buy everything. Confused

Cheers

marvin4239 · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

I haven't seen any of this in a long time but they do make fiberglass electrical conduit. It's often times used on cooling towers and smoke stacks. What I installed many years ago was 1 1/4" trade size. It might be handy for some applications around a boat.