pre fab radar arch choices, any thoughts?
 

http://www.fishonsports.com/100morepics2.html

http://www.atlantictowers.com/products_fishing_arch.php

was sold on Atlantic but I stumbled across Fish on sports arch and now I'm not so sure... Half the price of atlantic and available with the same options. Does anyone have any experience with either of these arches?

Not familiar with fish on sports units so can't comment on them, but I can say that I have a yet to be installed Atlantic Towers arch. Gotta admit, it's well made. Heavy walled aluminum tubing. 1.625 ID, 2" OD. Very impressed with the quality.

I have seen Atlantics work at the boat shows out here, I second your observation... I'd hate to be the guy that got a great deal on a piece of garbage but that Fish on arch was mighty tempting. maybe not worth the risk???

didn't MJ get an Atlantic Towers arch?

Yes, MJ has an Atlantic Towers hard top. As far as I know he's been very happy with it. I helped him install it and can say first hand that they are well made.

I couldnt find on their website what material they used....call them and ask them what size tubing they use. if its comparable i'd be tempted to give it try.

Their website says: "Very strong and usable unit. Built from 2" schd 40 aluminum tube." So in that respect they mimic the AT's units...Can't comment on their welds or hardware. Truthfully, just looking at their site, I have to agree with you that their towers do look nice, and the prices are about half of AT's ..tough call on which way to go.

Ok, so I'm not crazy for suspecting a deal. I need to look into them a bit more but I'm partial to saving some cash. As far as build quality, I'm pretty sure I won't be doing pull ups on either arch. just need it to get the rods, antennas and spreader lights where they should be, out of the way... If I end up grabbing the Fish-on arch I'll keep you guys in the loop with pics and reviews. I may be willing to be the guinea pig on this one! If anyone finds out anything more let me know.

BTW the difference may be in the finish. Fish-on site mentions powdercoat as the finish but then there is an upcharge for "mirror aluminum" finish. I have to call the company to see if this means anodized or powdercoat faux aluminum... if it is powdercoated, what would be the consensus then?

been happy with mine from AT!!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/..._001.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/..._001.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/..._002.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/..._002.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/..._002.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/..._002.sized.jpg

This Tuna is 150 pounds hanging off there!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...003_Medium.jpg

I plan on a radar arch for the V20. But i want mine powdercoated. Reason? I am too lazy to polish aluminum. Hell the V20 wont even have a single piece of teak when i am done. As long as the powder coat is applied properly and welds are slick i dont see any problem. I just paid $1000 for a bumper for my truck and not impressed with the welds at all. Some welds were overfilled and the powdercoat didn't seal the entire surface so i have some rust now. Just fyi.

I wonder why they dont offer white? I like the Fish On arch. But i am not sure about their foldable mounting system. I would like fixed bases. With my luck it will fold when i dont want it to. :you:

Nice hardtop Macojoe! I guess I could do pullups off the arch after all. AT does nice work without a doubt.

yeah I figure powdercoat should be fine since my bracket is powdercoated and tough as nails.
BTW the AT arch has the option of adding the folding brackets for an additional $200 or $275, forgot how much it was but the Fish-on arch comes standard with it. I'm just amazed at how overpriced anything "marine" generally is! :bsflag:AT looks great but why so pricey? Fish-on looks better everytime I look at it.

This is completely off subject. but MACOJOE I sure do miss my seaox. Seeing pics of that pretty boat you have makes me wish I never sold mine. I painted that boat the same color I painted my Albemarle. That pic of me at the bow with a rum and coke was when I was 27 years old.

My AT tower has the foldable arch system. Simplicity itself.....the two back poles have swivels on them at the bases and the two front poles have pins at the bases that you pull out... pull the pins, push the arch back and it folds down to just about the same height as the windshield. The whole thing takes less than a minute.:love:

does the arch have any wobble or chatter in it when underway in the rough stuff? should I expect this or should it be solid?

FYI I spoke to the people at Fish-On Sports, below is thier response to my questions.

The finish is a chrome powdercoat with a clear powdercoat over that. It comes standard with 4 bolt on rod holders.

Also We have a new arch that will be posted today. It is the part#140 It is the same as an UNI Arch but it breaks down so it can ship UPS.
It will be selling for $499.95 with free shipping. It also will come with 4 rod holders.

Just looked at the "Sportsmans UNI-Arch" . I am impressed with it. I wish i could get one while they are on sale. Just can not swing it right now. But for $500 i believe its a good deal. If i can get rid of the 18 Fisherman this week i will order one. :love:

The only thing i dislike is their mounting system. But if its solid and does not squawk or rattle i can live with it.

As I said in my first post in this thread, my arch has yet to be installed, so I cannot tell you if it rattles or not. It does appear to be solid in construction, so I think it will be okay. But any arch that is made to fold must, by it's very design, have some play in it. :head:

Nothing a spool mig gun wont fix. :bat::bat::bat:

Also, i just noticed they do not offer a color option for the Sportsmans UNI-Arch. Maybe that is why its a little bit cheaper? Here is what they say about color: "The color of these are mirror aluminum."

I have the Atlantic tower in a box-- I will recomend--very well built and very stable--good fit and I think looks great on these boats. I have added 4 pole holders up top and am working on a flip up stern light and radar. Here are a few pictures. If you have more questions of me and this arch--just ask!

Wow! Looks great! thats def my future rig. AT's arch does look perfect. so is there any play or rattle in the arch?

No play and no rattle at all---and apparently the supports they supply are plenty as I do not even have any stress cracks after 2 years--and I tend to run hard out in the Pacific Northwest waters.

Here are some more pictures with the 8 pole holders.

good to know! gonna have to save some cash. did you install on your own or have it done?

I did do the install myself-----

But measured 4 times and cut once!!!

On the pieces mounting to the sides of the boat--I taped the pipe and then cut it with a pipe cutter(roller wheel) for a clean straight cut. Then they epoxy on to the ends plus you drill and tap holes for bolts as well--They have engineered these well--I will be mounting my stern light up there and a radar(plate is there) and there are 2 other plates on top of arch for antennas if you want, plus I like the flat plates on the side--I will be building some hangers there for gaffs and possibly some outriggers.

I get alot of compliments on it--most think it is a custom.

I looked at different arches and custom builds and me builds--It was worth every penny!!

sweet! I know who to bother when I have build questions! Boat looks great with the arch, wise choice...:beer:

How tall do these arches stand above the gunnels? I have a 14' vhf antenna, and would like to mount it on the gunnel and support it with the arch. I cannot remember where Shakespeare Antennas said my support needed to be. I want the antenna as high as possible. But i do not want to have to stand on the gunnels or climb on something to get rods out.

You will have to pull up the AT website to see- but I cut about 3 inches off the upright hieght on mine and you can see where it is on the stand up top.
The bridge for the arch you order the width you need--they have 3 widths to help with different widths.

You can also mount the feet(supports) at any angle you want.

With the hard top they made to the boat spec's, all Ihad to do was the height and I took like 6 inches off. I also chose to mount to the floor instead of the sides for more support.

Unless your doing alot of running at night of have to deal with alot of fog radar is pretty useless in my opinion.

I run about 35 miles downriver to get to the ocean. It would be foolhardy for me to not have radar, especially at night. But put that aside, when you're fishing you don't always have your eyes on a swivel looking for large boats bearing down on you. Twice I've had to do a quick pull up and run to avaid being run over by large container ships coming up the channel. The nice thing about radar is you can set a collision alarm to be your lookout in case you miss something. Is radar necessary? No, I don't think it is. Is it an additional safety factor, much like life jackets? Absolutely.

I can't use mine while fishing because I fish structure (bridges) or around other boats. The alarm will drive you nuts going off all the time.

That's what I thought. I was thinking about removing the arch and radar, until one real foggy morning...

rkc

Very nice!