A Frame -Navigational Arch

PacificNWrib · 01 February 2007, 20:29

I have been searching for one for some time and I cannot seem to find one. Does anyone know of a reseller in the states? For a reasonable cost?

Thank you in advance,

JB

Hightower · 01 February 2007, 22:01

Hi, why not design one and get one made locally. Loads of guys this side of the pond do just that and very often works out cheaper than shop built ones. With the added advantage that it'll be custom made for your boat and will fit like a glove.

jyasaki · 01 February 2007, 22:06

I looked for one to put onto my 14' Achilles. No joy.

Draw up what you want (including mount points), then stop by your local welders place, and see what he'll do for you. Muffler shops actually may be your best bet if you don't have a lot of marine shops around.

The tube bending may actually be the trickest part to have done. Takes a bit of skill (and usually some big-ass machine.)

Are you looking for a single tube arch, or a double? Stainless or aluminum? How thick do you want the tubes? Do you want to be able to, say, tow skiers? Or is it just for lights and antennae?

That all comes into play when you're designing the thing.

jky

portoflongview · 02 February 2007, 00:48

hi jb...

why don't you give the boys over at IBC a call.. ask them who they use.

just an idea.

-pd

just found their # 503.235.2628

limeydal · 02 February 2007, 00:55

With all the Ski-boat and wake boarders over here,there are several shops who make custom arches and towers. They are used to bending high quality stainless and an A frame should be right up their street.
It's worth getting some PVC pipe (cheap over here for irrigaton use ) and warming with a paint strippergun to bend to the desired shapes. You can fabricate an arch ,to get an idea of the dimensions/anchor points etc.
If you are really good ,give the fabricator your design and say "copy this"

cheers Dal

IBWET · 02 February 2007, 17:31

I don't know what they use for heating pipe over in the states,if it's stainless you could use it for a A frame.

I made one for a previous boat I used S/S heating pipe, hired a pipe bender (remeber to get the springs or you will choke the pipe), measure it out on the garage floor, I used two pipes, buy some 2mm plate get it cut to size for mounts top(All round white antenna) ,sides(nav lights, spot mount) and bottom for fixings internal external use ski hooks this also gives the frame rigidity and take your time,if you are lucky to get access to a buff polish it up to a glass finish.

I've attached a wee photee so you can see

Donnie144 · 05 February 2007, 05:19

IBWet I just came across these guys at the Seattle boat show last weekend. I"m looking at their T-top but they also have an arch that bolts to the transom. I don't know what the cost would be though.

http://www.atlantictowers.com/

IBWET · 05 February 2007, 06:27

Well I've never seen a bolted one (probably better than our welded stuff) but by the cost of the accessories, the price is going to be hefty,

al is lighter than S/S which is a plus, but it's also not as strong,I'm probably wrong here but the tow frame in the picture....well lets just say that i,ve not dodged to many dinners in my day and would worry about the strength of it pulling me (as opposed to worrying about the boat which I currently do).

good idea though being able to move it from boat to boat,but I'd check the price before setting your heart on it.

jyasaki · 05 February 2007, 06:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnie144

IBWet I just came across these guys at the Seattle boat show last weekend. I"m looking at their T-top but they also have an arch that bolts to the transom. I don't know what the cost would be though.

http://www.atlantictowers.com/

They do pretty work, but I would bet they also command top (and I mean top) dollar for their stuff. They are, as I recall, pretty highly regarded on the more fishing oriented forums.

Surely you can find a local fabricator who can do pretty much the same thing (I'm assuming a RIB is not going to need a tuna tower) for a lot less money.

jky

PacificNWrib · 05 February 2007, 14:06

Holy mud! That is exactly what I am looking for!

http://www.atlantictowers.com/at_sub/products_fr.htm

For $599.00 seems a little out of my price range, but it looks great. Almost like the one Zodiac sells in their catalog.

Thanks Donnie!

Donnie144 · 05 February 2007, 16:05

Actually if they are only charging $600 it’s probably not a bad deal. I have drawn up a couple sketches for tank racks and sent them off for pricing and WOW the private fab shops are proud. I would give them a call and see what they have to say about towing off of it. When I talked to the guy at the boat show they seemed very helpful and willing to do about anything…..for a price.

If you don’t want to tow a skier off of it and keep the price down I like the idea one guy had on here about going to a muffler shop. They have the tubing and the equipment to bend it.

Donnie144 · 05 February 2007, 16:08

One more note on SS in pricing up a tank rack I was using 2x2” SQ tubing with .125” walls the stainless tubing was $12.00 a foot!

jyasaki · 05 February 2007, 17:17

Well, to price the material, use someplace like McMaster-Carr to get an idea. The stuff is usually *much* more expensive than you'd think.

jky

PacificNWrib · 08 February 2007, 18:33

Well,

I finally went with the same arch as listed on Atlantic's site, but I am having Mike from Valhalla Marine construct it. It is going to run about $399.00 for the arch, 4 side mounts and a top mount.

I should have it in two weeks. I can't wait to get it installed!

Donnie144 · 08 February 2007, 21:29

That’s awesome I may have to keep him in mind when I’m ready to have some SS welded up. As I recall you have two boats are you going to be showing it off on the river run?

Jklingel · 09 February 2007, 18:55

let us know what you find out; tubing thickness, etc, if any contacts them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STAIN...87352576QQrdZ1

PacificNWrib · 10 February 2007, 14:40

That is a good deal on that arch. Since my RIB is pretty small I am limited in the amount of space behind my bench seat to the transom. But that is the best deal I have seen yet.

PacificNWrib · 21 February 2007, 19:17

Well my arch is done. I am making the drive to Bothell, WA to pick it up. I can't wait to get it installed.

Donnie144 · 21 February 2007, 21:31

that looks awsome look forward to seeing it here in a month. Can you tow a skier off of that?

PacificNWrib · 21 February 2007, 22:04

I hadn't plan on towing a skier... My two girls are 15 months and 28 months. Perhaps later on when they get bigger, I will move to a bigger RIB. It's more for navigation lights and rod holders.