Radar Arches

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RocketRob

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Hi there, just picking up a C-Dory 25 and looking to add a Radar arch on the Roof. Are there any Arches that utilize the rails ? or better to screw the Arch directly into the Roof ? Are there known C-dory Arch builders? Any tips appreciated. Thanx.
 
Usuallly you have the rail made locally because of the expense and difficuly shipping. Usually the arch is high enough that the inflatable dinghy pontoons will fit under it while inflated. The wiring can be run thru the tubing, and into the interior of the C Dory where it can be easily be run forward, down the forward, helm side piller of the pilot house. There the power and or sensor cables can be run to the MFD or radio. Usually an aft spreader light is on the aft side of the radar arch, VHF antennas (if two) on the outside of the radar arch, radar in the center platform. any other antenas are inside of the VHF antennas.

The arch can be made in aluminum or Stainless steel and rocket launchers can be buit in. I usually stored at least one fender between the SS grab rail and the outward leg of the radar arch on the cabin top. Usually a Bimini top attatches to the aft part of the cabin top on the C Dory, rather than to the arch. I had one made in Long Beach many years ago. There should be aluminum or SS fabricators in the Ventura area. I did have a full boat cover made in Ventura many years ago, as well as bimini and camper back in Long Beach (20 years ago).

I know that the best arch builder in Pensacola is booked up 6 months. This may be true in other ares, so make your order soon--"season" begins in a couple of months. At times the Factory has them in stock, or can refer you to a local to them, rail maker.

If you are just mounting a radar, a single strut mount is available, with angel down 5 degrees. I have made radar support struts using off the shelf Home depot PVC commode parts, and painted to prevent UV damage. This simple strut support has been used on several of my and other's boats: two toilet flanges and a straight piece of Schedule 80 4" diameter PVC pipe. I would not make it more than a foot high. One of the toilet flanges is bolted to the inside of the center of the cabin house, and the other is bolted to a plastic platform to match the bolt pattern of the bottom of the radar. The wiring is run thru the 4" pipe into the cabin house. Some of the C Dory 25 do not have core in the raised center "hat" section of the roof.
 
thataway said:
Usuallly you have the rail made locally because of the expense and difficuly shipping. Usually the arch is high enough that the inflatable dinghy pontoons will fit under it while inflated. The wiring can be run thru the tubing, and into the interior of the C Dory where it can be easily be run forward, down the forward, helm side piller of the pilot house. There the power and or sensor cables can be run to the MFD or radio. Usually an aft spreader light is on the aft side of the radar arch, VHF antennas (if two) on the outside of the radar arch, radar in the center platform. any other antenas are inside of the VHF antennas.

The arch can be made in aluminum or Stainless steel and rocket launchers can be buit in. I usually stored at least one fender between the SS grab rail and the outward leg of the radar arch on the cabin top. Usually a Bimini top attatches to the aft part of the cabin top on the C Dory, rather than to the arch. I had one made in Long Beach many years ago. There should be aluminum or SS fabricators in the Ventura area. I did have a full boat cover made in Ventura many years ago, as well as bimini and camper back in Long Beach (20 years ago).

I know that the best arch builder in Pensacola is booked up 6 months. This may be true in other ares, so make your order soon--"season" begins in a couple of months. At times the Factory has them in stock, or can refer you to a local to them, rail maker.

If you are just mounting a radar, a single strut mount is available, with angel down 5 degrees. I have made radar support struts using off the shelf Home depot PVC commode parts, and painted to prevent UV damage. This simple strut support has been used on several of my and other's boats: two toilet flanges and a straight piece of Schedule 80 4" diameter PVC pipe. I would not make it more than a foot high. One of the toilet flanges is bolted to the inside of the center of the cabin house, and the other is bolted to a plastic platform to match the bolt pattern of the bottom of the radar. The wiring is run thru the 4" pipe into the cabin house. Some of the C Dory 25 do not have core in the raised center "hat" section of the roof.
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Mr T, Thanks very much. You just flooded my little brain with a lot of great info. I will definitely want to add a bimini . Do the bimini receivers bolt directly to the roof of the aft cabin? then pick the position for the arch, if that even matters? The arch feet may be far from the Bimini. Would love to see a photo of your PVC Radar solution. Im still undecided about the arch to have the Rocket Launchers. I think there might be good rod storage in place as the boat is setup for fishing, in Which case the radar mount would suffice. Does the arch have any real practical advantage holding a dingy? Or simple enough to tie down the dingy either way.
 
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