Radar arch high enough for dingy

N

NancyandBud

New member
to store on cabin top.

Our radar is currently mounted on the cabin top. I want to hear from anyone who installed or who has a boat, that has a taller radar arch installed that will allow an inflatable dingy to store underneath on a rack. Also the mfg, if you know.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
We indirectly "won" a tall radar arch at the old factory parties they used to host around the Seattle Boat Show way back in 2007. Long story short, Barry of C-Cakes won the radar arch but I was perceptive enough to realize he already had one installed on C-Cakes so I asked him about it and we made a very fair trade.

I installed the arch in the spring of 2007 and our Alaska Series dinghy fit under it perfectly like the two were mated to each other. The installation is not hard, it just was a little painful to drill the holes in the roof which happened to be cored on ours but other than that, easy breezy. Just be sure to slather enough bedding compound between the radar feet and the roof to prevent any leakage. I figured that out the hard way. Hope this helps.

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Peter
 

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Peter,

Thanks for the response and pictures. Just what I wanted to see.

BTW do you have any idea about the distance between the cabin top and the bottom of the arch? I called Bolton Stainless and they wanted specific distances to give me a quote.
 
Having called some mfg's, I now have more questions than answers.

We don't plan on using Willow as a fishing boat, but I'm wondering, just for resale value, if I should also have some rod holders added to the arch. In addition, they asked about antenna mounting plates. Do I want/need more than one???

Anything else I should consider before I order an arch?

Advantage to forward to aft mounting of the arch?

As always, I appreciate the forum members here who take the time to answer.
 
Bud
Re C-Dory rooftop stuff:
Your HARD LIMIT is a 13.5 ft vertical ground max hgt on the trailer...the Federal limit for bridges, power lines over roads etc though any bridge may be less, if marked.
Within that parameter some will want a Coleman type RV AC (14")…this should be forward enough that the front vent blows down towards the v-berth, which is forward for all of us.
Loudhailer/auto-foghorn must be mounted forward of everything else.
All-around white nav light must be above everything else in all conditions and visible at 2 NM but can be anywhere between front and rear.

Radar can NOT have any GPS antenna in the beam, but VHF antennas and transmitting AIS are usually OK despite Garmin's warnings. Radar can shoot through most dinghy’s except aluminum plates and some transoms, or mount radar on an arch over dinghy. Many bimini’s including mine are actually higher than the roof line and are not designed for the weight of a dinghy, so take that into account.
Radar mount may need a rear wedge if you run at a 4-5 degree bow up at cruise like many do, others may argue they only use radar at idle if conditions are so poor as to need radar in the first place, during which bow rise angle will be zero. Radar has to be higher than the AC (but the scanner beam is at about the logo level, not the base, so the base mount can be lower than the AC as in Bob Austin’s TC255 album pics).
I am facing this as Eileen just bought a Garmin GMR-24HDX radar which I plan to mount on a Bob Austin Special PVC Commode Mount and home-made Starboard base in front of the AC (which is at 12 foot already, and clearance issues require the bottom mount to be above the AC so I’m getting real close to the 13.5’ hgt limit).
We’re fair weather boaters but have still been surprised when local conditions result in saltwater spray soaking the roof of the TomCat. Don’t put anything up there (like a Honda generator) that wouldn’t enjoy that.
If in addition to everything else you decide to put the family dog up there while cruising, then history would suggest that you should not plan on running for President.
Perhaps this is not an issue for you.
That’s all I can think of offhand re roof ‘stuff’ issues, but I’m sure there’s a lot I haven’t thought of, so all Brats please pipe up!
PS: Who needs a dinghy when I can wiggle this thing into calf-deep water at the shoreline or a dock with a couple inches clearance on each side?
Happy Boating!
John
 
We have an aft mounted arch similar to the photos in this thread from Jazzmaniac. It was made in Seattle area by a company that EQ Harbor Services uses. You could call Kathy at EQ and I am sure she would supply the name and number for the company that builds these for them.

I have bolt on rod holders as that was less expensive than building them in. West Marine has a thanksgiving sale that has these for 1/2 price for a few days around the holiday.

We slide our dinghy under the arch and that works well for us.

The arch also has a platform for the radar unit and places for two antenna (we have two VHF units and each has an antennae on the arch). The anchor light post also sits right behind the radar unit.

Sorry, no pictures in the album and I am not near to boat to take any. Hope this helps.
 
gulfcoast john":1t8yuzhr said:
Bud
Re C-Dory rooftop stuff:
Your HARD LIMIT is a 13.5 ft vertical ground max hgt on the trailer...the Federal limit for bridges, power lines over roads etc though any bridge may be less, if marked.
Within that parameter some will want a Coleman type RV AC (14")…this should be forward enough that the front vent blows down towards the v-berth, which is forward for all of us.
Loudhailer/auto-foghorn must be mounted forward of everything else.
All-around white nav light must be above everything else in all conditions and visible at 2 NM but can be anywhere between front and rear.

Radar can NOT have any GPS antenna in the beam, but VHF antennas and transmitting AIS are usually OK despite Garmin's warnings. Radar can shoot through most dinghy’s except aluminum plates and some transoms, or mount radar on an arch over dinghy. Many bimini’s including mine are actually higher than the roof line and are not designed for the weight of a dinghy, so take that into account.
Radar mount may need a rear wedge if you run at a 4-5 degree bow up at cruise like many do, others may argue they only use radar at idle if conditions are so poor as to need radar in the first place, during which bow rise angle will be zero. Radar has to be higher than the AC (but the scanner beam is at about the logo level, not the base, so the base mount can be lower than the AC as in Bob Austin’s TC255 album pics).
I am facing this as Eileen just bought a Garmin GMR-24HDX radar which I plan to mount on a Bob Austin Special PVC Commode Mount and home-made Starboard base in front of the AC (which is at 12 foot already, and clearance issues require the bottom mount to be above the AC so I’m getting real close to the 13.5’ hgt limit).
We’re fair weather boaters but have still been surprised when local conditions result in saltwater spray soaking the roof of the TomCat. Don’t put anything up there (like a Honda generator) that wouldn’t enjoy that.
If in addition to everything else you decide to put the family dog up there while cruising, then history would suggest that you should not plan on running for President.
Perhaps this is not an issue for you.
That’s all I can think of offhand re roof ‘stuff’ issues, but I’m sure there’s a lot I haven’t thought of, so all Brats please pipe up!
PS: Who needs a dinghy when I can wiggle this thing into calf-deep water at the shoreline or a dock with a couple inches clearance on each side?
Happy Boating!
John
Click to expand...

John,

Thanks for all the info. I was unaware of the federal height limit. Something to consider for sure.

We have spent a lot of time in the North Channel. We usually spend time with others from the Trailer Sailor Association. We anchor out. If we want to play dingy bingo, we need a dingy. If we want to visit some of our friends on their boats we need a dingy.
 
You have to understand that John is deprived. He boats in waters like the Gulf where there is maybe one tide of a foot a day or less...he does not have the challenges of the 25 foot tides of the PNW!

Even on the St. John's river, (no tide in the upper reaches)--We find the dinghy to be a great platform for bird watching--and keeping the snakes and other critters off the boat, if we were to do Lake Powell style of boating... (Although earlier this year Molly Brown did the "stern to the back thing, with their "Dog Plank"..We went with the dinghy! ) :?
 
Hi guys,

As some of you know my 23 venture package is being built at the moment. I did not opt for the radar arch at this point due to dollars spent already but am pondering the benefits. Here are my questions:

If I simply go with a forward radar flush (shimmed) mount on the cab "maybe" I can get the factory since they are building it and this boat comes with the dropped ceiling and vinyl to mount it for me (I'm visiting the factory Friday I could bring the stuff with me) the thought here would be that I would not need to take the ceiling down to install it after it arrives. Either way wether they are willing or not could I still mount a 8-9ft dingy with a forward radar?

As to the radar arch - doesn't the dingy interfere with the radar when mounted on the arch? it would based on angles seem like it would... i am not a fisherman other than occasional trolling, other than looking cool and sliding the dingy under the arch what additional benefit does it provide?

Last but not least if the inflatable dinghy doesn't interfere with the radar then it would seem I could have the nose of the dinghy above the radar too if flush mounted? I dunno just split balling here. This will be my first radar and thus do not know the details of how sensistive they are etc.

Any advice would be great. If I have to I can add the radar arch but need to know the dollars justify the benefit.

PS the radar I bought is the new quantum radar from raymarine. Not sure if it matters (never realized how large these things are)
 
I installed a single post mount for my radar...and I am a bit sorry...it wears a hole in any tarp I put on the boat... plus it will not fit into my garage any more... so I am bummed about that.... I would love an arch...being able to put a kayak or an inflatable topside would sure be a plus....I do like having the radar up high is a plus but an arch would have been much better...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
The 23 is going to be slightly different than the 22. I have usually mounted by radar on a short pedestal. The dinghy is not a problem with the radar. If you have an aluminum plate where the dinghy motor clamps that is the only potential issue.

The high arch will allow the dinghy to slide under the arch, and gives a slightly better place to carry the dinghy.

We have had both radar and dinghies on all of our C Dorys. My son has a 10' dinghy on his 25 roof, along with radar. A picture of our current 22, with a 9'6" dinghy on top. I could have mounted the strut "reversed" or made a platform for it further forward, but with some over hand over the cockpit it works find (the inflatable is a high pressure air floor, which I consider to be the best compromise between weight, ease of assembly and stability/performance.

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My strut has a rake aft, it could have been mounted so that the rake was forward. In this case the radar is above the dinghy, but I have had radar which were lower.
This radar has a 3* down slant wedge. However I have never mounted a radar flush on the cabin top on a C Dory.

The factory should be able to accommodate you---give them a call and find out. Possible that they could put the cable in with out the radar, but you would still have to pull the headliner to bolt the base or strut in place. I moved the anchor light to a fitting which attaches to the radar strut, and puts the anchor light above and aft of the radar. (The small tubing, or even a sailboat mast, does not interfere with the radar function.)
 
Ordutch1975":315rn7qf said:
Either way wether they are willing or not could I still mount a 8-9ft dingy with a forward radar?
Click to expand...

In my opinion, it would be a pain in the rear to try to get an 8-9 ft dinghy on your roof behind a forward-mounted radar. Unless you have a lifting davit like Dr. Bob has. If you have a rear-mounted high arch you can stand on the bow deck and v-berth roof and horse the dinghy up onto the roof and under the arch.

Not sure who supplies arches to the factory now. Tanner Manufacturing in Bellingham made mine. They come to your boat and take very precise measurements for a custom fit, and make the arch to your exact specifications.

I would suggest you determine what dinghy you'll be carrying, so you'll know the diameter of the pontoons for your arch spec's. I'd also suggest you have the factory install the arch and specify that the holes and bedding be done properly.

My arch has the plate for the radome, two antenna plates, and an anchor light post.

jd
 
Please remember that most gas stations have an 11 ft. canopy. If anything sticks above 11 ft., you will be gassing in the RV lane, which gets clogged. Journey On is below 11' when on the trailer. And below 8 1/2' when in the water.

Journey On is a 25' C-Dory with a forward mounted radar arch. At the time, I did not want the radar emissions going through the cabin. I feel that subjecting everyone on the boat to strong microwave emission is wrong, a personal opinion. The factory mounted it right in back of the anchor light for me, works great.

Plenty of room to slide a dinghy in, if the anchor lite is removed.

BTW, I now have a low emission radar, a Lowrance 3G, best radar I ever owned.

Boris
 
Boris, your point is well made, but my experience is that most gas stations have a 14 foot or more hight canopy. I may be more aware than most because we often tow with the RV which is a little over 12 foot height. May be more height in Florida or when driving across the country than Calif. I find the biggest problem getting fuel when towing is the room to turn--and usually try for an outside pump if possible. Occasionally even with the truck, I'll have to back out.

It would be rare for the actual beam of the radar to be an issue when you are in the cabin--the max down beam is 15* below horizontal--and many of us have a 3 to 5* down wedge, so the beam would be 12* or less. from the center plane of the radar.
 
Hm, Bob, I've wondered why I've seen RV's with their top ripped off. Some of the gas stations near me are about 12'. I assume others are above 13' 6". I do know that Journey On is about 11' on the trailer and it has been a close fit at times. If I had a 12' high RV, I'd check the height of any covering when I drove under it. They're usually marked. I assume that the damaged RV's were used to 14' and didn't read the sign.

A radar bean that's a foot above the cabin roof will pass through the cabin in about 4' and go downward at 15 deg. If the radar arch is installed on the rear of the cabin, the people sitting in the front of the cabin will receive some radiation, since the 15 deg is the 1/2 power point. Not much, but it integrated up and I had a choice on placement.

I understand that you use a dedicated radar mount, installed on the front of the cabin, but we were discussing radar arches.

Boris
 
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