Radar arch placement and height

[Chester]

Here's the thing. I'm not going to install radar just yet but we are going to buy a full boat cover and will have it made with a provision for an arch.
This is for a C-D 22 Cruiser but input from all is appreciated.
I need input on placement. How far foreward or aft or and why? Do we want the arch to be tall enougn to accommodate a small inflatable? Inquiring minds want to know.
Thank you, Steve.

 

[416rigby]

I just put ours up there in various positions until I had what I wanted and then installed it. Very easy to do. Pics in our "projects" album.

You need to decide if an inflatable is on your wants list. If it is, then go with the tall arch. We don't intend to get one, so we went with the low arch. We carry a waterproof bag up there (from roofbag.com) and it doesn't interfere with any radar use. You'll get slightly better radar performance with a taller arch, but I can't imagine it being a huge difference.

Rick

 

[journey on]

We use our radar arch as a radar arch. Others use it as a place to mount the rod holders. I'll discuss the first option.

Since we wanted the best place for the radar as well as the people inside, I had the arch mounted as far forward as it would go. This keeps the radiation off my head as well as giving the radar the best sight line. Never had a problem going through gas stations with the high arch and the radar mounted. Radar works well.

Everyone else mounts theirs at the rear.

Boris

 

[SENSEI]

I placed my arch forward on the roof and made the rake forward to match the bow rail lines.when i bought the arch it was too narrow to fit to the rear and after some deliberation and placing it at different spots we decided that forward was the best use of the arch.

 

[colobear]

Our arch is tall and at the rear of the cabin roof. We got the tall arch specifically so a dinghy would fit under it and that works fine. It does not interfere with the canvas and I find that the arch makes a really good extra handhold when getting into or out of the cabin. Here's the way it looks:

 

[djnward]

I agree with C Cakes. The handhold is wonderful. Also, to get the dinghy on the roof I merely pull it up to my thighs and lift it with my leg and arm. It glides into place..add two bungees and I'm off. If you choose you can add your GPS puck and radio antenna though I haven't found that necessary yet.
Dick

 

[Chester]

Very good, keep 'em coming. Any comments or observations concerning radar is welcome too.

 

[flapbreaker]

I went with the low arch because I had no plans for a dingy. It functions as a radar arch as well as a fishing rod holder. I would not get a tall arch if you wanted rocket launchers on it since reaching the rods would be difficult.