Placing Tender on Roof w/ Low Radar Arch

[Rabbits Hutch]

Hi All,

Upon purchasing my 2006 22' Cruiser, it came with a free radar arch with rocket launchers as part of a factory incentive. Unfortunately, this means I cant place the tubes of a tender under the arch once I select and purchase one.

Has anyone placed a tender on the roof with this type of arch????

If I'm considering an 8' zodiac, any idea how far forward of the windshield's brow the tender will hang over?? Just a foot or so if I purchase a smaller 7' 11" type of zodiac ??

Could use some sincere guidance before I order a tender by mail and have it shipped stateside.

I'm in Iraq at the moment so I simply cant measure the available space versus a dingy's length.

But, as it's winter now everything is on sale for leftover boats. Seems that now is the time to buy.

Also, does anyone have any connections in the marine industry as to who might have a leftover model zodiac or alaskan dink??? I would have it shipped to my parents address in CT and let it sit until my return in the summer. Not even sure if an Alaskan can be shipped to CT by ground...that may be cost prohibitive.

Thanks a bunch.

Gary R.

[hardee]

Why not get a High (or Tall) arch instead of the low one? then the Inflatable will fit under the arch. Just a thought. Maybe need to pay some difference if the Low arch is the free incentive. Just a thought.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Hayesie Daze]

Hi Gary, I guess the question would be how far back you are going to put your arch? A real possible option would be to place your arch up forward and turn it around so that its canted toward the bow. This way you would hopefully be able to use the full roof for your tender and mount any lights or radar on the arch. As far as size dinghy's go, I have an 8 foot tender that I picked up for $300 from sportmansguide.com, its a Sevylor (which is owned by Stearns) and it is very sturdy and does the job just fine in AK. When stowed it is basically as far forward as the anchor light and hangs about a foot over in the cockpit (Its my porch on a rainy day). The smallest you can get is 6'6" i think but the weight capacity is fairly low. Hope this helps with some ideas.

Byron

[hardee]

On rereading it looks like you already have the low arch installed. I guess it would depend on where it is mounted, (aft of cabin roof facing aft, or forward, or forward on the roof again facing which way). I have a radar post, forward cabin roof, and center, and was going to put my expensive alaskan knockoff over the radar dome. It will come right to the forward edge of the brow, and hang over the aft cabin roof several inches. I'm currently leaning towards an arch type support over the Outboard well, that will support one end of the inflatable there, and then teh other end will rest on the aft cabin roof, giving a bit of a covered cockpit without the enclosed camperback.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Da Nag]

I'm a fan of the low arch - looks better (subjective), and the rod holders are much easier to get at. However, I've been thinking about the tender issue for a few years. Don't have one yet, but once I do, I'll need to figure something out as well.

One thought I've had...make the low arch "convertible". Basically, cut the mounting plates off the low arch, then fab up four new posts that are 12-18" tall. These new feet would be of larger tubing, having an interior diameter large enough to slide the existing arch into.

The arch could sit all the way down inside the new feet, for the normal low height. When the tender was needed for a trip, the arch would raise up 4-6".

Two issues immediately come to mind:

- Cable slack would need to be sufficient, for anything mounted on top when the arch was in the "tall" position.

- Whatever locks the arch in place, would ideally be very solid and secure, but also easy to lock/unlock without running to the tool box.

That last one has me stumped.

[Not For Hire]

Mount your all around light on the arch by your radar. A dinghy will then fit on the roof but overhang the front brim a bit depending on size. Check the dinghys with tapered tubes. The tapered ends will wedge under the lower arch.

[hardee]

Da Nag said:

[Sneaks]

[DaveS]

[Rabbits Hutch]

Given that the radar arch is already mounted since purchase, towards the far aft end of the cabin roof, and I want to do as little "construction" and make as little effort as possible each time the new tender will be used the best idea is as follows:

Have the roof top navigational light moved to the radar arch on a permanant basis, and simply ensure that the tender I purchase has tapered tips to the aft tubes (as the Zodiac cadet series does).

The downside seems to be a slight overhang in front of the windshield's brow, which I'm happy to accept in this case.

Seems like a much easier solution then a full reconfiguration of the arch itself.

Is this passing the common sense test gentleman??

Thanks,

Gary R.

[1TUBERIDER]

Gary, I have the same rack on my angler and I like it. But I could not mount a raft forward of my rack because their is not enough distance. You gain 18 inches with the cruiser so maybe a short raft. If you have the rail on the cabin you could add a surf board type of rack to raise the raft. I am sure you will need to add supports and stuff to make it work.

However mounting your raft forward will be a pita because you will need to be forward to hoist it up. Therefore, I would think of the cockpit rack and use the raft as a cover. Or could your raft be mounted vertically in the cockpit by the aft bulkhead.

I don't like playing around on the bow or going to the forward deck for anything. I much prefer the hatch for access to the anchor and forward deck. I am usually in the ocean where it is not flat so the bow can be pretty rolly.

I would probably suggest waiting till you get home to deal with it. It is cheaper to measure twice and purchase once. Good luck with your project.

As to the raft I would use a stand up paddle board for my dinghy and it would be way easier to deal with and open other doors,

[DaveS]

Hi Gary,
While docked at Genoa Bay with other C-Brats during the "Gulf Islands Cruise 2008", we tried out the shorter Alaska Series Inflatable on the roof of "Sea Shift". I have a somewhat shortened radar arch that does not allow the tubes of the inflatable to slide under. If you look at picture #22 in the "Gulf Island Cruise 2008" album you can see the Alaska Series Inflatable that belongs to "R Matey" that we placed on "Sea Shift". We also placed the next sized up Alaska Series that belongs to "Anita Marie" and although it did extend a bit over the brow it was certainly doable. Unfortunately, I'm unable to find a picture of that dinghy on "Sea Shift".
As to the sizes of both of these, perhaps "Anita Marie" or "R Matey" will chime in with that info.
I'm very impressed with the Alaska Series, but bear in mind they come with an "impressional" price tag.

[Rabbits Hutch]

Hi Everyone,

How do I find the "Gulf Island Cruise 2008" album? Is there a hyper link somewhere? Would love to see those photos.

Thanks,

Gary R.

[Captains Cat]

Gary, go to the "Photos" link at the top and then down to "Cruises and Events" once that comes up. The latest are first in that album.

HERE it is to make it easy for you.

Charlie[/url]

[Grumpy]

Charlie, I think Gulf coast and Gulf Islands are 1/2 a world apart !
Merv