New Arch for an Older Hunter?

[neilleparkerjr]

Has anyone out there installed a new traveller arch on a .5 Legend series Hunter (or any model for that matter)? Like those on the newer Hunters? I have a 1995 Legend 37.5 and am considering this modification for several reasons:

1. Ease of access to mainsheet & traveller for singlehanding, particularly with non-sailing people in the way.
2. Eliminates a structural problem on my boat, the starboard cabin-top traveller anchorage gone bad.
3. Better bimini set-up, requiring no webbing down to the deck and allowing freedom in size/shape of bimini
4. Lower sheet loads allowing use of a double-ended mainsheet without a winch, using a cascade tackle for fine-tune high-power close-hauled adjustment.
5. Another hand-hold for moving about the cockpit.
6. Convenient mount for cockpit lighting
7. Convenient mount for possible future solar panels.

I would be interested in any feedback and photos from others who have done or considered a similar project.

 

[onecoolair]

Was checking out the kato davits web site last night and it looked like they my have some options for you.

 

[neilleparkerjr]

Still trying...

Thanks Robert. Looked promising to me too, so I followed up with them. Unfortunately they won't make arches to take main-sheet loading, just radar, solar panels, dinghies, etc.

 

[Phil Herring]

I'm certainly no engineer, but it would seem to me the design of the cockpit, and certainly the glass build, would have to be designed to handle that load. I'm not at all sure that a couple backing plates would be enough to do the job.

This might be a good question for Roger.

 

[seadaddler]

ARCH

I would look to a custom arch builder,some one local who can come to your boat and set something up that is a copy of what hunter builds.
I have seen many arches added to sailboats mostly on tthe stern for radar and other things but a good custom builder of arches might be able to build something for you and take pictures of simialar sixe Hunters with a arch to show him,be ready for $$$$$ to bbuild it and all the hardware needed to add the travelar system also.
I love my arch and travelar and I did add solar panels to my H-36.
Nick

 

[neilleparkerjr]

Arch Anchorage

Phil - Agreed. Although I was hoping to find someone who has done this and learn from them, my thinking was that I could have the base of the arch consist of a rectangular bar or tube a few feet long that could be bolted all along its length to the out-turned aluminum toe-rail/joint cover at the hull-to-deck joint. That would dissipate the load well at what I think is a strong point in the overall structure.

I corresponded with Eddie Breeden from Hunter and he didnt have any warnings for me ... should I take any comfort in that?

 

[waternwaves]

Check around the combing winch bases for possible locations to mount the base of arch. Have the load spread around 4 winch bases, along with remounting the winches on stainless steel bases would not be that much of an addition to the entire structure for a 4 point base.