Looking for info on the Stainless steel vs. fiberglass arch. Why did Hunter switch to all stainless arches? Have there been issues with the fiberglass arch? Leaks? Stress fractures? Failures? Thanks
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Not sure, but,
I thought the fiberglass arches just covered the stainless pipe that we now see. Again though, not sure.
I thought the fiberglass arches just covered the stainless pipe that we now see. Again though, not sure.
Hi Ted, I think part of it was customer input...
I'm not aware of any Hunter models before the P42 that used FRP or plastic arches. P42 owners, including myself, liked the rugged looks of SS. I picked up some unofficial reports that when Hunter introduced the 430 with a FRP arch, for example, customers did not like the looks compared to SS. Now we see some newer models returning to the SS arch. Terry P.S. No leaky
I'm not aware of any Hunter models before the P42 that used FRP or plastic arches. P42 owners, including myself, liked the rugged looks of SS. I picked up some unofficial reports that when Hunter introduced the 430 with a FRP arch, for example, customers did not like the looks compared to SS. Now we see some newer models returning to the SS arch. Terry P.S. No leaky
Fiberglass arch prone to leaks
Hello Ted, Until a couple of years ago I owned a 450 - loved it - my dream machine. It's fiberglass arch needed a great deal of maintenance to avoid leaks. The arch would flex with the considerable loads of the mainsheet traveller attached to the top of the arch. The sealant would flex and allow rain to run down the inside of the arch joints and into the aft cabin. In my case it would drip from one of the aft cabin overhead light fixtures right into the locker. Believe you me it took some figuring to make the connection. I loved the look of the arch but the effort to keep ahead of the leaks was a challenge sometimes. Happy sailing. Dal ~_/)~~
Hello Ted, Until a couple of years ago I owned a 450 - loved it - my dream machine. It's fiberglass arch needed a great deal of maintenance to avoid leaks. The arch would flex with the considerable loads of the mainsheet traveller attached to the top of the arch. The sealant would flex and allow rain to run down the inside of the arch joints and into the aft cabin. In my case it would drip from one of the aft cabin overhead light fixtures right into the locker. Believe you me it took some figuring to make the connection. I loved the look of the arch but the effort to keep ahead of the leaks was a challenge sometimes. Happy sailing. Dal ~_/)~~
I looked at your pics - WOW!
Fred, forgive me for asking about your boat in this thread, but, I would love to see any pics you have after you finished rebuilding your boat. Also, just how did the water get into your boat and where?
Fred, forgive me for asking about your boat in this thread, but, I would love to see any pics you have after you finished rebuilding your boat. Also, just how did the water get into your boat and where?
Like our Feberglass Arch
We have a 99 420 with a fiberglass arch. We like it and it works really well with our full enclosure. I was told that Hunter switched to SS for financial reasons and that they bought a SS fabricator to do this. We have not had any leaks.
We have a 99 420 with a fiberglass arch. We like it and it works really well with our full enclosure. I was told that Hunter switched to SS for financial reasons and that they bought a SS fabricator to do this. We have not had any leaks.
contact me
Dal Could you contact me directly, I have some questions I'd like to ask... ekcine <at> comcast.net Thanks
Dal Could you contact me directly, I have some questions I'd like to ask... ekcine <at> comcast.net Thanks
Arches
Sorry Fred but mostly just more fiberglass under the fiberglass
The way I understand it, Hunter wanted to put a stainless arch on all the boats just like they'd done with the Passage 42 however, it was cost prohibitive thus the fiberglass arches. These fiberglass arches worked but some tended to creak a bit when under load and esthetically were not everyones cup of tea. Hunter finally got their stainless arches by purchasing a metal fabrication shop so that the work could be done in house at a reasonable cost. The rest is history.
Sorry Fred but mostly just more fiberglass under the fiberglass
The way I understand it, Hunter wanted to put a stainless arch on all the boats just like they'd done with the Passage 42 however, it was cost prohibitive thus the fiberglass arches. These fiberglass arches worked but some tended to creak a bit when under load and esthetically were not everyones cup of tea. Hunter finally got their stainless arches by purchasing a metal fabrication shop so that the work could be done in house at a reasonable cost. The rest is history.
Got it Dare. Thanks.
Bob Perry designed the first boat I saw with a stainless arch. That was in 1988. I copied it the next year. Hunter had shifted the purpose of the arch to caring the traveler. I don't like it. The arch can be used for so much more. The traveler just messes with a good thing. And let me yak about those mast struts on the cabin top,,, Srojoe; The water seen in those photos came from Hurricane Louise. I explain it on my web site. If my boat had an open transom the flood would never have happened.
Bob Perry designed the first boat I saw with a stainless arch. That was in 1988. I copied it the next year. Hunter had shifted the purpose of the arch to caring the traveler. I don't like it. The arch can be used for so much more. The traveler just messes with a good thing. And let me yak about those mast struts on the cabin top,,, Srojoe; The water seen in those photos came from Hurricane Louise. I explain it on my web site. If my boat had an open transom the flood would never have happened.
arch
Captn Dare's story is the one I've heard from my local Hunter dealer for years. Hunter has been using the SS arches since model year 2000 or so.
Captn Dare's story is the one I've heard from my local Hunter dealer for years. Hunter has been using the SS arches since model year 2000 or so.
Prefer fiberglass
I bought a used 99 H380 instead of a 2000 H380 because i liked the looks of the fiberglass arch. The white balances all the navy in the bimini. I have had no issues with leaks or cracking. I'll gibe the main in 15 knot winds while running so I don't baby it. I can't believe more boats don't incorporate an arch. I love having the traveller out of the way and seems that people are more aware of where the boom is. JohnnyMac H380 S/V Dawn Treader
I bought a used 99 H380 instead of a 2000 H380 because i liked the looks of the fiberglass arch. The white balances all the navy in the bimini. I have had no issues with leaks or cracking. I'll gibe the main in 15 knot winds while running so I don't baby it. I can't believe more boats don't incorporate an arch. I love having the traveller out of the way and seems that people are more aware of where the boom is. JohnnyMac H380 S/V Dawn Treader
I just KNEW IT!
If I posted an old picture, some low-life on this board would jump all over me!*butt Just kidding Rick. How the hell ya been? Oh, I failed to properly engineer my spikey seagull preventer so it blew away in a winter storm. I've been too busy with other stuff, like drag racing my car, to worry about it. Heading to the strip again this afternoon. Maybe today it will finally happen; the elevens.
If I posted an old picture, some low-life on this board would jump all over me!*butt Just kidding Rick. How the hell ya been? Oh, I failed to properly engineer my spikey seagull preventer so it blew away in a winter storm. I've been too busy with other stuff, like drag racing my car, to worry about it. Heading to the strip again this afternoon. Maybe today it will finally happen; the elevens.
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