BoatBanter.com - Arch builders comments, please

Hi, All,

Many of you know that we're in the middle of a refit, part of which will
include an arch for multiple purposes.

I just spent a week on the boat following the SSCA meeting in Melbourne,
where I got to see a Wells Arch up close and personal. I've also seen an
Atlantic (in NJ) arch, and while it's very inexpensive/affordable, it's also
aluminum, and I have some concerns as to its ability to do what we want
without exceeding their "custom" comfort level. That brings me back to the
Wells, which the owner felt entirely comfortable to say that he'd easily
configure to our needs.

From that, I'm leaning toward that solution, as that's all they do, and
should do a great job of it. All SS, and with a variety of add-ons from a
basic menu.

The one they had there was set up to add forward pushpit rails (as well as
stern ones, across - of which he had both on display there in Melbourne).
When it's some distance (they're only across FL, so, likely, the installer
who's not far from where the boat is would go get it for an extra hundred or
so, they say), they cut it into sections with inner tubes to rejoin (weld)
when installed. However, those inner tubes are extended (with a proper
sized stub back to the arch) to whatever angle you want for attaching other
stuff, on their production item, which I'd use to connect up my rails, as
some of you know I want to do. The arch itself could extend to the point of
the current forward section of the pushpit on the boat (see our URL in the
sig if you're interested).

I'll wind up spending more than I'd like, probably, in the arch, but since
that's all they do, I presume it will be done right, and since it's the
platform on which I'll hang so much import on this boat, it's worth not
having to chase around to find a fabricator, custom lay out and design it,
and then keep on top of it to make sure that it works out right in the end.

I'll be mounting the running light, a satellite (for instant weather photo
as it goes overhead) antenna, and perhaps the cockpit VHF antenna in the
middle (depending on whether being between the sat-ant and running light
would degrade its throughput from the current place on the pushpit rail),
between the solar panels, and have a KISS pole on one side, with davits out
the back. Added doodads might include something I saw on a boat in the yard
in St. Pete: fendoff pole, mop and fish gaff tubes, fishing pole tubes, an
engine mount (though there's some thought to leaving it on the dink),
perhaps the liferaft, MOB and lifesling gear and maybe another anchor mount.
Most likely we'll also include a deck light with a remote so we can light it
up when we're coming back at night, and a swivel on that light so we can
light the sails when we want to be seen.

So, as you see, if I were to try to do that locally, I might be spending all
of a couple of weeks trying to make it happen! As much else as we've got
happening (meat for other posts), I'm inclined to spend my time doing other
things to advance the completion of what's turning into a fairly extensive
refit.

So, to the point of the title, he I'd like input, please, on both Wells
and other options from those who have used them (Wells, Atlantic and any
other), and troubleshooting my thinking (as a consultant, I well understand
that being in the middle of something leads to myopia and delusional
thought!).

Thanks, Y'all! (I get to say that after nearly 30 years in the south,
despite being born in NY and spending the other half of my life above the
Mason-Dixon line!)

L8R

Skip (and Lydia, by proxy)

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig
http://tinyurl.com/384p2

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain