Roof Questions

W

Will-C

New member
Hello, I wondered when stands or mounts for radar domes and or radar arches are installed should you add anything to spread out the load or is the roof strong enough? Is a plate used on inside for the bolt heads? Does the factory do anything extra when they install and provide radar arches with new boats? When shelves are installed to the roof for electronics (in the helm area) to the roof are the shelves though bolted through the roof and and is plate used on the top side? Thanks,
D.D.
 
Dave,

The roof seems plenty strong. See previous threads on sealing all holes drilled, like Matt's doing now on his TC. My shelf is bolted in place with the same bolts that hold the roof rails. Don't forget to take photos as you go and share with your Brat Buddies. :lol: :lol:
 
The roof on my Tomcat is 7/8" thick (balsa cored). Dr. Bob said fender washers distribute the load fine for this application so that's what I used. I'm mounting a 24", 4KW radome on a Seaview aft leaning mount with light bar for the GPS. (Also a VHF mount and mount for a radar reflector.).

I will also have used a full tube of 4200. Though I have been mopping up quite a bit as it squeezes out...I'm sure I could use a little less.
 
I believe that all of the boats are strong enough for the radar pedistals. The construction and strength of the roof depends on the boat. The Tom Cat 255 is as Matt describes. The C D 25 does not have balas core on the center (it does on the sides)--and I consider it "thin" I try and not walk on it--but do put the dinghy on the roof.

I believe all of the shelves are "backed" by railings--that is that the finish washers and flat head screws go into the base of the railings (SS or wood). I am not aware of any factory back up plates.

I do believe that RV type airconditioning units need to have a framwork, since you draw two steel plates (with a foam gasket) toward each other. The 12 x 12" hole, plus the larger area of pressure will flatten the dome of the roof.
 
The C D 25 does not have balas core on the center (it does on the sides)--and I consider it "thin" I try and not walk on it--but do put the dinghy on the roof.

Dr Bob,
The newer 25s 2006 and newer have balas as my roof is 3/4 thick and walk on it all the time. Sometime even put a chair and relax on the roof. Life is Good
 
I've been on the roof of our CD-22 before. Seemed fine. I don't walk on it - I would want to avoid such a 'point load', but sitting on it or laying out seems fine.

Mike
 
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