Cutting Radar Arch

[ram]

I have to hinge my radar arch to fit in my shed. Going to keep it a simple fold forward by hand, one man operation. I talked to a guy who is going to build my stainless steel hinges. He left it up to me where I wanted to cut the arch ( 1985 36' Convertible).
If I cut it a foot from the bottom I don't have to move the railing that connects to the bottom. I think a cut a foot up would just look ugly.
If I cut it at the bottom it will look much neater. I know it's hollow, so will It be better to cut close to the bottom for stability.
I have next week off to cut the arch so I can move off the hard and back into the water. Will remove scanner, anchor light, and antennas next week in preperation.
If I didn't have to cut it at all would be better but I don't have much choice.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rick

 

[GJH]

I have a hydraulic aluminum arch. If you are attaching hinges and hasps with stainless steel fasteners, use some Tef Gel on them or you will be in for some corrosion issues twixt the aluminum and SS. How are you going to secure it fast when up and prop it when down? I'd be concerned about it wiggling around underway. On mine, for a different reason (the hydraulic system would allow it to slowly open a bit over time), I went to using turnbuckles to fasten it down. I don't know what you have below the arch, but water tightness was another concern of mine.

 

[TopHattandTails]

My hydraulic arch is hinged right where the arch sits on the gunnals, but it folds aft.

 

[bobk]

You may find you need to lengthen wires etc. And indeed, you will need to prevent water from entering the wire chases.

Bobk

 

[ram]

My hydraulic arch is hinged right where the arch sits on the gunnals, but it folds aft.

It makes more sense to fold it aft but how do you get it back up. Are you using hydraulic. I also have a full enclosure on top that usually folds aft to tie into the arch. Thanks

 

[TopHattandTails]

Yes, the HYDRAULIC arch is run on hydraulics.

 

[GJH]

I've seen guys rig a block and tackle to raise/lower them and hold in place while down in the shed. A helpful experienced sailor could probably figure something out quickly.

 

[ram]

Yes, the HYDRAULIC arch is run on hydraulics.

6:20 am... guess i didn't read your post right. If I knew everything I would not be asking. huh

 

[MikeP]

"I've seen guys rig a block and tackle to raise/lower them and hold in place while down in the shed."

I did that to raise and lower our mast to go in/out of the shed. Takes maybe two minutes to take the block/tackle out of the dock box on the Flybridge connect it and raise (or lower) the mast. Works very well and easily. I made one up one per the "luff Tackle" illustration in the diagram: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tackles.png though I made a "Y" on each end for connection to the mast and to the SS railing stanchions on the forward part of the FB..

Works great and is very fast/easy.