Arch for an oldie?

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David Foster

Some of the features on new boats are questionable, but the stainless arch/traveler on the new Hunters just looks like the best solution to me. An open cockpit, sheeting from just the right angle, and the only way to get a bimini on my boat (if I rule out the stress and complication of mid-boom reefing.) So I called Hunter, who said that there was no reason I couldn't mount an arch on my '77 h27 - the hull is plenty strong for mounting, and they didn't see any other show stoppers. But their capacity is full doing their new boats, and they (of course) don't have a design for my classic Cheribini. It looks like I'm into the search for a custom stainless design. Have any of you added an arch for your main traveler? I can find lots of ads for radar arches, but none for the all purpose design of the new Hunters. Where did you get yours? Have you seen any good applications on other boats? Thanks, David Lady Lillie
 
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Pete

custom arch

David - you most likely will need to work with a local mfg of radar arches and fishing towers! You are doing a custom job that has not been done before and most radar arches are not set up for a traveler or lines. I know of one builder in New Jersey ( Atlantic Pipe Welders) but that is kind of far from you. Good Luck with your project and I would love to see a photo in the photo section of your completed job!
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
How are you going to get enough clearance?

David: I don't agree with you about some of the new features being questionable. Some of their ideas of what LOOKED good were "quite different" but the things that they do to make these boats spacious/comfortable are really second to none. But on to your/my question. First TIQ (www.topsinquality) can make the arch for you. They are in Michigan so all you will have to do is rent a truck and go pick it up. My real question for you is the fact that the boom on these boats are low. The arch on the newer boats give anyone but the real tall guys ample head room. They are able to raise the boom high enough because the design with the large roach main gives them ample sail area. On your boat if you raise the boom to get approx 6' head room, you are going to be sailing around with the on the first reef. By the time you consider the cost (est $3-5k) of ALL the new hardware and the arch for your boat you may want to consider moving up to a model that has mid-boom sheeting or an arch. You also need to consider how easy (or not) selling this boat with these type of modification may be in the future.
 
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Jay Kent

David, here is a lead.......

for you: Contact Ron Gecsi at Great Lakes Communications in Port Clinton. In addition to his normal business, Ron had a company that makes "radar arches". I don't know where he is with that now, but he is a) close to you; b) knowledgeable about arch and boat features; c) a good "network" guy if he needs to refer you somewhere else. If you decide to do this, regardless of how or when, I would sure like to see the finished project. I have a H-27 at Sandusky. Good Luck.
 
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Debra Blatnik

Move traveler to cabin roof

The traveler on my 37 Cherubini was moved (by a previuos owner) to the cabin roof, getting it out of the cockpit, and letting you use a large winch installed on the cabin just starboard of the campanion way. This arrangement works great. I may install an arch, but that would just be for solar, etc....
 
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David Foster

Thanks and comments

Thanks for the leads on stainless shops - it seems clear that I will be doing custom stainless if I go ahead with an arch. The main issue seems to be coming up with a good design. Getting the arch, traveler, and my head under the boom. Getting the shape and attachment right to hold the load. And mounting the travelor and bimini. I'll be looking hard at the arches on the new boats at the show this winter, and asking Hunter and others for any design documents they may be willing to share. As far as ambivalence about new Hunter design features, it's just that. I agree that the Hunter interiors are the best at th boat show. And their value per buck is also very high. But I have no experience with the B
 
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