mounting Radar Arch 23' Sceptre

[samaha]

Here she is. 1978. Bought last August.
I can mount a radar arch horizontally on the gunwales, or on the vertical surface below the windshield.
Will those who have arches please tell me why you chose to orient your mounting brackets vertically or horizontally. Which way would you mount now?
How sturdy is it? Can you hang off it like an adult jungle gym? Rock solid?



(borrowed from bigeasy1)


(borrowed from riptide)

Opinions about REVERSE MOUNTING?

(borrowed from Dilligaf)

[Water Rat]

I would suggest mounting to the deck as the fiberglass laminate for the windshield/cabin trunk as not all that thick. When I had my arch installed originally, it was rock solid and you could sit on top of it with no deflection in the structure or deck.

Since I had the arch installed, I have had it modified into a half-tower with 3-sided enclosure. You can see pictures of it in the "Gallery" section for 23' SeaCrafts under "Chris Downey's 23' Sceptre". Good luck, I think it was a great addition to get all the antennas, etc. up there, as well as for mounting outriggers and later a radome (not in the pictures).

[samaha]

Originally Posted by Water Rat

I would suggest mounting to the deck as the fiberglass laminate for the windshield/cabin trunk as not all that thick. When I had my arch installed originally, it was rock solid and you could sit on top of it with no deflection in the structure or deck.

Since I had the arch installed, I have had it modified into a half-tower with 3-sided enclosure. You can see pictures of it in the "Gallery" section for 23' SeaCrafts under "Chris Downey's 23' Sceptre". Good luck, I think it was a great addition to get all the antennas, etc. up there, as well as for mounting outriggers and later a radome (not in the pictures).

Thank you, WR.

[samaha]

Originally Posted by Water Rat

I would suggest mounting to the deck as the fiberglass laminate for the windshield/cabin trunk as not all that thick. When I had my arch installed originally, it was rock solid and you could sit on top of it with no deflection in the structure or deck.
Since I had the arch installed, I have had it modified into a half-tower with 3-sided enclosure. You can see pictures of it in the "Gallery" section for 23' SeaCrafts under "Chris Downey's 23' Sceptre". Good luck, I think it was a great addition to get all the antennas, etc. up there, as well as for mounting outriggers and later a radome (not in the pictures).

No kidding yours is rock solid. it has a substantial top plate joining the legs on each side.


So......
I call Atlantic Towers. I ask Shelly about mounting their 'tower in a box' - horizontal on gunwales vs vertical. She talks about sheer force. She recommends vertical. She says,"Sometimes people disregard our advice, but I've been doing this for xx (40?) years and we recommend vertical."
I see bigeasy1 has his custom Atlantic Towers radar arch mounted as Shelly recommends.
I'm gonna ask him for input. Just looking for opinions. Not rejecting yours.

[bigeasy1]

My arch was made by Atlantic towers as well. However I opted for a custom built model made specically for the 23 Sceptre
I weigh 255 lbs and I can hang from the arch with absolutely zero movement or deflection from the arch.Its been six years now and its still as solid as the day we installed it.

Atlantic recommends applying stress to the arch when installing it so its purposely made so that tension has to be applied to it (width) when mounting it.
Atlantic supplied backing plates with the arch which I did use but I also made extral large rectangular 1/4" thick aluminum plates mounted to the back side of the fiberglass.
I think this mounting system works well and takes a lot of stress because there are a couple compound bends which add to the rigidity of the mount.

We dont often get the big swells on the great lakes (lake Ontario) like the saltwater folks do, but more often than not we get those nasty steep close together waves like Long Island sound that feels like being in a washing machine SoThe arch takes its share of vibration With no loosening or damage to any of the 14 extra rod holders, or the radar dome or gps & vhs antennas.
Im very happy with its performance

[samaha]

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

My arch was made by Atlantic towers as well. However I opted for a custom built model made specically for the 23 Sceptre
I weigh 255 lbs and I can hang from the arch with absolutely zero movement or deflection from the arch.Its been six years now and its still as solid as the day we installed it.

Atlantic recommends applying stress to the arch when installing it so its purposely made so that tension has to be applied to it (width) when mounting it.
Atlantic supplied backing plates with the arch which I did use but I also made extral large rectangular 1/4" thick aluminum plates mounted to the back side of the fiberglass.
I think this mounting system works well and takes a lot of stress because there are a couple compound bends which add to the rigidity of the mount.

We dont often get the big swells on the great lakes (lake Ontario) like the saltwater folks do, but more often than not we get those nasty steep close together waves like Long Island sound that feels like being in a washing machine SoThe arch takes its share of vibration With no loosening or damage to any of the 14 extra rod holders, or the radar dome or gps & vhs antennas.
Im very happy with its performance

Thanks for the input, bigeasy1.
Interesting about it being designed to be mounted under tension (or compression). Did they make the arch a bit too wide or a bit too narrow? Did you need to spread the legs further apart to mount it or push them closer to together? Was it a matter of 1/4"? 1/2"?
I like the idea of an additional larger backing plate.
I'm interested in Atlantic's 'Tower in a Box' because of $999 with free shipping to a commercial address. Shelly says their fiscal year begins in August, which is when they implement any price changes. Aluminum's been falling for 5 years, though, so I assume they wont increase the price.
I'll use it as a radar arch and jungle gym for the kids. I'd prefer no rod holders because I'd rather have the extra headroom clearance. I'm not a fisherman. Are you 6' tall? How much clearance between your head and the bottom of the rod holders? Did you specify the height of the arch or did they? I assume they have the dimensions of our boats on file.
Do you have any installation advice? Including running wires through the arch?

[bigeasy1]

Originally Posted by samaha

Thanks for the input, bigeasy1.
Interesting about it being designed to be mounted under tension (or compression). Did they make the arch a bit too wide or a bit too narrow? Did you need to spread the legs further apart to mount it or push them closer to together? Was it a matter of 1/4"? 1/2"?
I like the idea of an additional larger backing plate.
I'm interested in Atlantic's 'Tower in a Box' because of $999 with free shipping to a commercial address. Shelly says their fiscal year begins in August, which is when they implement any price changes. Aluminum's been falling for 5 years, though, so I assume they wont increase the price.
I'll use it as a radar arch and jungle gym for the kids. I'd prefer no rod holders because I'd rather have the extra headroom clearance. I'm not a fisherman. Are you 6' tall? How much clearance between your head and the bottom of the rod holders? Did you specify the height of the arch or did they? I assume they have the dimensions of our boats on file.
Do you have any installation advice? Including running wires through the arch?

It was made a bit too wide, and we had to use a ratchet strap to make it tight to the mounting surface.I cant help with the tower in a box as to how good it is, but I heard that it tends to rattle, because of the adjustable feature of it.
The custom made model is rock solid, although it's close to $1, 000 more in cost.At the time I paid $1, 800 for it.

I mounted it so that the bottom of the rod holders would allow a person of 6'1" to be able to walk under it.Atlantic leaves plenty of extra length on the legs.You make the determination as to the height needed and make the appropriate cuts.
I have to say however that we have to stand on our tip toes to get the rods out (we're approx 5'11")

We ran the wires for the antennas and anchor light and spreader lights inside the tubing, but ended up running the heavy cable for the radar on the outside using zip ties.You will have to drill access holes for the wires in the tubing.we used nylon twine with a shop vac sucking at the outlet hole where the entry for the accessories were.You can also use an air compressor by blowing air in the lower hole and it will send the twine through the tubing and out any holes for the lights etc.
Then you just tape your wires to the twine and pull them thru the outlet hole

[samaha]

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

It was made a bit too wide, and we had to use a ratchet strap to make it tight to the mounting surface.I cant help with the tower in a box as to how good it is, but I heard that it tends to rattle, because of the adjustable feature of it.
The custom made model is rock solid, although it's close to $1, 000 more in cost.At the time I paid $1, 800 for it.

I mounted it so that the bottom of the rod holders would allow a person of 6'1" to be able to walk under it.Atlantic leaves plenty of extra length on the legs.You make the determination as to the height needed and make the appropriate cuts.
I have to say however that we have to stand on our tip toes to get the rods out (we're approx 5'11")

We ran the wires for the antennas and anchor light and spreader lights inside the tubing, but ended up running the heavy cable for the radar on the outside using zip ties.You will have to drill access holes for the wires in the tubing.we used nylon twine with a shop vac sucking at the outlet hole where the entry for the accessories were.You can also use an air compressor by blowing air in the lower hole and it will send the twine through the tubing and out any holes for the lights etc.
Then you just tape your wires to the twine and pull them thru the outlet hole

I suppose if it rattles I can have the joints welded. Atlantic says if you are just mounting radar and other antennas the rod holders may be deleted for credit. I'll call Monday to ask about credit amount.
I'll probably pay extra for the hinge kit so i can lower it as needed. I'll ask if I can get credit for deleting a pair of the normal mounts.

Why'd you run the radar cable outside of tube?
Love the vacuum trick.

[Rufneck]

I put a radar arch on my 23 Sceptre and have since decided to go with a hard top with an upper helm station. I recently listed it on Craigslist for $900. It is located in Texas. Shoot me a PM if you are interested in it. I also have detailed measurements if needed.

Here are some pictures. I have removed the outrigger bases and lights. All of the rod holders are welded to it and will go with the arch.

[samaha]

Originally Posted by Rufneck

I put a radar arch on my 23 Sceptre and have since decided to go with a hard top with an upper helm station. I recently listed it on Craigslist for $900. It is located in Texas. Shoot me a PM if you are interested in it. I also have detailed measurements if needed.
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Thanks for the offer. I'm looking for a simpler design without rod holders. Good luck with the sale.