Folding down Radar Arch

[Pattyplou9]

I just bought a 2007 Chaparral 310. Sitting on the trailer, it is more than 15 foot high to the top of the radar arch. I would like to keep the boat in my yard, but several local power lines seem much lower than the clearance I would need with the arch up in place. There are pins or screws at the base of the arch on both sides, that look like they come loose, and enable the arch to fold forward for traveling. Oddly enough the local Chaparral dealer has never seen this and has no idea how difficult this would be to do everytime I trailer the boat. Just wondering if there is anyone on this forum, who may have the same boat and can shed some light on how difficult or easy this may be.

 

[haulnazz15]

I'm sure it's possibly to do, but I can almost guarantee it wasn't made to do it more than a handful of times during the life of the boat. I'd just be worried that one of those times you go to reinstall the arch, and those pins/bolts have stripped, you might be up a creek - so to speak.

 

[oldjeep]

I guess I would contact Chaparral and ask them. Seems more likely that the pins and bolts are for removing it than that they actually built a hinged system into it.

 

[jkust]

A 310 isn't a trailer boat. It would likely be too wide to legally trailer on a daily basis and is meant to be slipped.

 

[haulnazz15]

A 310 isn't a trailer boat. It would likely be too wide to legally trailer on a daily basis and is meant to be slipped.

If he wants to trailer the boat back and forth, there's no reason he shouldn't. The wide beam would likely require a wide load permit, but that's easily obtained from his state department of transportation. A 310 is as much of a "trailer boat" as anything else as long as you are equipped to trailer it properly.

 

[tpenfield]

The OP can trailer if he wants to. He may have to get an annual permit . . . or just single trip permits as needed. There are times when I wish I had a trailer for my 33 footer

15 feet is wicked high, and 13' 6" is the legal limit on height (I believe). So, the boat would not be legal to trailer from a height perspective, and would probably take out the first few power lines encountered, followed by getting smashed on the first bridge underpass.

Boat yards tend to deal with this sort of stuff all the time, so maybe a local yard could be consulted. Chaparral could always be contacted, as suggested.

 

[Scott Danforth]

many of the larger radar arches are hinged. we make them for the mega yachts so they can go under bridges (like Mackinac bridge)

 

[r.j.dawg]

One of the guys at our marina has a Chap 327 SSX. We are in covered slips so in the fall we have to give him a hand to lower the arch before the boats are lifted. Its easily a 3 man job. Two to hold the arch (it's very heavy) while the other removes the lag bolts and inserts the spacers which keeps the arch folded. Something he only does once a year.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I think you should look into removing the arch and storing it and making some trim plates to cover the holes...
OR the holy grail of options with a price tag to match would be to have some custom work done and make it hydraulic.... lower or raise at the push of the button