Atlantic Tower Arches

[SilentOption]

I want to hear from someone who has purchased an arch from Atlantic Towers. PM me if you prefer. I am considering going that route but not until I discuss it with someone who has used one of thier arches offshore.
Thanks

[ShaktisBoy]

We have two boats, a leopard 40 catamaran and a Hunter 30. Both boats have atlantic arches on them. They are great for installing wind generators and solar panels and are plenty strong for that task offshore. That said it is my opinion they are not suitable for hanging a heavy dinghy on however they do just fine with our light weight portaboats each of which weighs less that 150 pounds with the engines on. That said we still put the outboards on the rails for any serious offshore work or if there are any significant seas running. One more thing depending on how high you leave the arch you may need to stabilize it from side to side to keep it from swaying if its heavily loaded and the boat is being tossed around. This is due to the arch being built in 3 sections with the center span adjustable to whatever width you need and through bolted to the outer sections.

I hope this helps.

.


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[SilentOption]

Yes That is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to hear. Thank you very much.

[irwin37]

Yup just put mine up, there was and error and I received the wrong center section, who,,s error, they say it was mine, I say maybe because the part numbers are misleading. That aside they were willing to work with me to my satisfaction and we got it sorted out. I am able to hang off it with little sway but have not taken it out in heavy weather yet. I bought the dingy davits to mount on it but have not put them on yet. It is definitely a two + man operation and make sure you pre load when drilling the center through bolts, you will see how in the instructions

[SilentOption]

Thanks Irwin 37

[vfsurgpa]

I just mounted my AT arch on my Cape Dory 33. No equipment on it yet and I will be on the Chesapeake for several years before I can retire. It seems plenty strong, but I don't plan on hanging a dinghy. There is some racking sideways if you pull on it. I may put some angle brackets to steady that. It is probably fine, and I did pre load before I mounted it. I would like to hear from others if theirs racks a bit as well.


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[amytom]

Yes mine does. Will probably ask AT for advice re bracing. If you come up with something please post it.


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[vfsurgpa]

Off topic a bit, but I am also installing vertical grab bars below using the same fittings from Atlantic Towers. 2 short 4 foot ones at the nav station and galley half bulkheads, from bulkhead to overhead. And 2 verticals from cabin sole to overhead with a waist high horizontal oak 2x6 to mount my settee table. Those will limit athwart ship travel when the boat is healing and bouncing around. I got one installed so far and pretty happy with it. Seems plenty strong with 4 machine screws threaded thru the liner into the inner glass of the deck.


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[montenido]

I have been very happy with my Atlantic arch. I installed it a couple of years ago and it has been to Baja and back, over 3000 miles total. However, it just failed today, falling off the back of my boat. I believe that the arch is plenty strong, but the 1/4" mounting bolts are too small, and sheared off on one of the legs, causing the whole thing to fall.

I am not slamming Atlantic towers, as I said, the tower is plenty strong. I would go up in size on the fasteners that secure the pads to the hull. Check my thread about it.

Cheers, Bill