Radar Arch Hinge/Removal

[Sadey]

We plan to bring a 60MY with a radar arch/radar mast extension from Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Michigan in the spring/summer. What makes more sense, set the arch up with a hinge or just remove the whole thing to clear the bridge on the Erie Canal or Chicago river? Haven't made a decision on which route we will take yet.
What have others done?

[wpc691]

We plan to bring a 60MY with a radar arch/radar mast extension from Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Michigan in the spring/summer. What makes more sense, set the arch up with a hinge or just remove the whole thing to clear the bridge on the Erie Canal or Chicago river? Haven't made a decision on which route we will take yet.
What have others done?

I’m investigating the same thing for Erie Canal cruising. Got a quote to hinge the arch for $7500 (simple manual hinge). That seemed insane, and just barely gave me the clearance I wanted. Currently investigating replacing the arch with an additional bimini hoop - only real complication is radar/lights/antennas management. It would likely end up being more than just a bimini hoop, kind of a narrow tube arch with a heavy clevis hinge at the bottom. If I spent enough time looking, I could probably find something close to what I’m looking for at one of the boneyards.

[SKYCHENEY]

If you remove it, you will have no radar until you get it put back on. A hinge is the way to go. I hinged mine a few years ago. It cost me the price of one metal skillsaw blade. Had my wife's cousin weld the hinge in so that cost me a six pack and dinner. $7500 is insane. You can do it for much less.

[Boatsb]

I saw a great motorized mount at the ibex show. I dont know how much but it was quite an elegant solution.

[JLR]

Mine was hinged when I brought my 56 through the Erie and also up the Champlain Canal. Just remember, if you go the hinged route, it will take at least two if not three guys to raise/lower it. The arch is very heavy.

[Nonchalant1]

Mine was hinged when I brought my 56 through the Erie and also up the Champlain Canal. Just remember, if you go the hinged route, it will take at least two if not three guys to raise/lower it. The arch is very heavy.

I was able to raise and lower my 53MY original hinged arch by myself. One strong person could lift or lower it. I had a pulley from the front of the flybridge surround so I could run the dinghy lift cable through the pulley and up to the arch, but it was only used to hold it in place when it was up so I could take out or replace the arch base bolts. The lift cable was not used to raise or lower the arch. My arch had a sat dish and radar on it (see big pic in member avatar). Maybe every arch and hinge are different.

[wpc691]

If you remove it, you will have no radar until you get it put back on. A hinge is the way to go. I hinged mine a few years ago. It cost me the price of one metal skillsaw blade. Had my wife's cousin weld the hinge in so that cost me a six pack and dinner. $7500 is insane. You can do it for much less.

Just read your 2015 post re hinging your arch. Nicely done.

[kelpy]

There are very few days that radar is needed on the Erie Canal!

[SKYCHENEY]

There are very few days that radar is needed on the Erie Canal!

But then when you decide to go down the Illinois/Mississippi/Tennessee, you might wish you had it, especially if you have to run after dark. It just makes sense to hinge it. Then you don't have to rely on some yard with a crane to pull it and reset it. You're all set for any future voyages.

[Sadey]

I like the arch for too many reasons to remove it for more than just the one or two bridges. I understand there is a guy who will remove it just before the bridge, truck it to the other side then reinstall it but Id rather hinge it and be self sufficient. I'm going search for your conversion Sky as I would much prefer a hinge. I also like the pulley idea using the davit!