Building an Arch

[wufibugs]

I would love to have an arch as an attachment point for a bimini, for a radar pole and pole for gps and wifi antennas, and possibly for solar panel platform in the future. Aluminum and stainless priced me out of the market in short order.
I was in my local big box store the other day and stumbled on some 3" schedule 80 conduit. They sell lengths and long els but no other fittings for that size. Conduit is supposed to be UV resistant, or at least more so than PVC, and the manufacturer says this can be increased by painting it. I also found a few suppliers for quite a number of fittings.
Is this stuff strong enough? Resilient enough? Or just a dumb idea?

 

[gettinthere]

Door number three

 

[Sailvayu]

I am guessing one made from conduit would look a bit ghetto and not hold up long more from flexing than UV. I bought mine on EBay for 500 and modified it to fit, I would suggest you look onto that option. I had to look for a long time to find the right one but was worth it.

 

[Chris Patterson]

3" pipe will be nearly 3 1/2" O.D., which would make it look more like a roll cage than an arch I would think.

(Wayne, is that Tortuga in the background of that photo)?

 

[Sailvayu]

Chris not sure which boat you are talking about, but the answer is no as none of them are named Tortuga. Phot was taken 2 years ago in Wilmington Marine center.

 

[kenn]

the cheapest route is probably to install a basic bimini, and mount radar, GPS and wifi on the mast or elsewhere. Or stick up a short SS pole at the back for radar and extra antennas.

Arch? - stainless. period. Considering how expensive radar is, it doesn't make sense to cheap out on the arch. If cost is the issue, try to find an arch at a boat-wreckers that's close to the right size.

 

[Steve Dion]

I would suggest that you order a bimini from the SBO store and a radar pole from Garhauer Marine.

You will be money ahead in the long run.

 

[capta]

There is the option of "speed rail"; certainly strong enough. You assemble it yourself with no welding or bending; just cut the pieces to size and assemble.

 

[mauruuru]

about ten years ago, for my last boat, I built a frame for a nice tarp I had been given. I used PVC pipe and fittings since it was easy to cut and fit together as well as install and remove and store. It lasted about three years before pieces started breaking and I totally abandoned it after 5 seasons. I wouldn't try making anything permanent out of it.

 

[topcat0399]

There is also the issue of failure - metal will usually bend before total failure - giving you some warning. Plastic can just SNAP and you're done.

Then again - your boat your choice.