My mate and I are looking at some larger boats and there is a very nice 380 for sale. What are the advantages of this type of arch? I am not sure it adds to the looks of the boat but aesthetics aside, does it offer stability and/or safety? I realize it would be easier for the helmsperson to adjust the traveler but aside from that, what would be the advantage?
What is that arch all about?
- Thread starter gingerpenny
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Better control of the traveler, easier to adjust from the helm, provides good hand holds in the cockpit, nice place to mount speakers, lights, cup holders, beer taps, etc.
Hunter Arch
Clears the cockpit with traveler on the arch, increases sheeting purchase/ decreases stress on the boom since the main sheets near the end rather than the center. Good frame for mounting bimini, solar, wind generator...
Clears the cockpit with traveler on the arch, increases sheeting purchase/ decreases stress on the boom since the main sheets near the end rather than the center. Good frame for mounting bimini, solar, wind generator...
The mechanical advantages are as described and seems to be an obvious progression in design kind of why-didn't-I-think-of-that change from the traditional design. In addition to Hunter, Beneteau is also starting to use it on some of their new models and there as a few of the very high end builders who have been using a similar arch design for years.
The traditionalists don't like it much but then we aren't using bark tan sails and square rigged topsail sail plans much either. Those boats are great to look at but...
The traditionalists don't like it much but then we aren't using bark tan sails and square rigged topsail sail plans much either. Those boats are great to look at but...
Oh my I had a Hunter 380 with the fiberglass arch for nine years. I sold it and now have a Hunter 27 without an arch and I MISS IT! I suppose little boats shouldn't have to have arches but like others have said already, the uses of an arch are numerous, valuable and in some cases has a safety factor in the design. I used to like to snuggle up against my arch and sail and sail. With the speaker right above my head playing Chopin. My radar display hung from the arch right in front of the steering station but not in my line of sight. It was perfect. And it had LIGHTS that we would leave on when when we went to a restaurant for dinner. Coming home to our boat in the dark and there it was with a soft light in the cockpit. Wonderful. I really miss the arch. I wonder how I would get one designed for my Hunter 27.
You all forgot one thing. You don't have a deck sweeper/head banger when the boom comes crashing over on a gybe....
Not Hard
I see sailboats and powerboats adding an arch all the time and have even seen some sailboats with two and some just add an arch at the very rear stern for all kinds of things like radar wind machine but I haven't seen radar or wind machine mounted on a factory arch only because the boom and travlar would be in the way.
As already mentioned hunter owners love them,my H-36 is my second Hunter with an arch,Like being able to adjust the travlar from right at the helm and speakers and light are very nice also,my dodger and bimini also work very well with the arch its all good having an arch.
Nick
I see sailboats and powerboats adding an arch all the time and have even seen some sailboats with two and some just add an arch at the very rear stern for all kinds of things like radar wind machine but I haven't seen radar or wind machine mounted on a factory arch only because the boom and travlar would be in the way.
As already mentioned hunter owners love them,my H-36 is my second Hunter with an arch,Like being able to adjust the travlar from right at the helm and speakers and light are very nice also,my dodger and bimini also work very well with the arch its all good having an arch.
Nick
I love the arch on our 38 for all the reasons already stated. We also ordered the optional Hunter davits for our boat, which bolted directly to the arch. These davits are high enough that our RIB stays out of the water when heeled over in rough seas, and visibility when backing into the slip is not an issue.
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