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Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:56 pm
by Paul - SW Ontario
Gotta do it....can't put this off another year. Time to start making the mold.

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 12:09 pm
by prowlersfish
Can't leave it a lone can you LOL . I think its a Paul thing , I could write a book on stuff I have change on my boat . But that's half the fun . I think it will look great !

Two Things I would Do that I did when going to a hard top . 1) Put your anchor / forward running light there ( or all around /) It won't blind you and can be seen better . 2) Put your VHF antenna Taller is better for range .

https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/ ... ight-Rules


Oh , and since I like speeding other peoples money 3) RADAR !!

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:26 pm
by Paul - SW Ontario
Lol...

yes, part of the plan is to have the All Round white light up there.

The others are a strong enough build to have Stainless Grab handles on the aft edges and, overhead LED Cockpit lighting on the underside.

Radar serves no purpose for our boating style in the area we travel.

I'm designing a full new enclosure and tops for next spring, so this is the perfect time for the arch project.

Maybe I'll add the big Dodge wing mirrors, the full width 100,000 Lumens LED light bar, the 10" chrome stack, and the hanging 'Go-nads'' .... :shock:

Geez.

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 12:01 am
by Barrie
Hi Paul, is that a photo shopped picture of your idea, or another boat, either way that is super cool and a modern/functional way to hang canvas.
I wonder if that would work on a Tri Fly????? :lol:

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 10:24 am
by Paul - SW Ontario
Barrie wrote:Hi Paul, is that a photo shopped picture of your idea, or another boat, either way that is super cool and a modern/functional way to hang canvas.
I wonder if that would work on a Tri Fly????? :lol:
Hi Barrie, yes I photo shopped the arch onto a photo of my boat.

Have been playing with the concept for years now...I think it suits the overall design/ lines of the F Series Express.

I will be sure to post a pictorial over the course of the project. Hoping to start Mid-Late November.

Last year I finished my two and a half year re-design/ restoration of my 30' C&C Sailboat.
Completely gutted & stripped inside and out.
Everything but the keel and rigging was built new.
A fair bit of this project is the link below...

Getting a sense the Trojan is feeling a little less loved, lol.... :roll:

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 7:59 pm
by Paul - SW Ontario
After many hours of deliberation, the decision to go the fiberglass route is out the window.

Never been one much for conformity...so I've completed the designs for an all aluminum arch. Fully skinned without the exposed tubular look seen so much these days.

The arch will be finished in white.

Below is the look with the enclosure panels. All the canvas edges that meet the arch will be hidden behind the outer aluminum skin and attached using welting cord and white flex awning track. No snaps as normally used.
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Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 8:25 pm
by Paul
Should be an interesting build, be sure to keep us posted on the progress. Frame and sheet? Welded?

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 10:14 pm
by Paul - SW Ontario
Paul wrote:Should be an interesting build, be sure to keep us posted on the progress. Frame and sheet? Welded?
All welded, 2 main hoops & 2 supports per side with 7/8" O.D....welded to 2 slightly curved base plates.

Should give it sufficient lateral stability up to the bends.

Concerted efforts to keep it strong but as light weight as possible.

Sheeting welded to tubing as below...fully enclosing all sides of the arch. (Access holes to the SS base plate bolts, of course)
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Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:56 am
by Paul
What gauge aluminum sheet will you be using, I'm guessing it'll be fairly heavy to prevent it from warping during the welding process. Will you be powder coating it when finished? I had my davits done in white probably 12 years ago and they still look great today.

Re: Here we go...Design/ Build Arch

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 7:41 am
by Paul - SW Ontario
The plan is 0.125 ga. sheets with the only seam being in the centre of the arch both top & bottom.

Yes...it will be powder coated white for the finish. Seen a lot of stuff over the past 10 or so years that has been powdered coated, yielding excellent results.

Designed & built this folding companionway staircase for my Sailboat using 0.125 and it is very strong. No warping problems with this during the welding process, so we'll see with the arch.
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