Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

[wat ev or]

I was wondering has anyone tryed to make the arch moveable? I have a couple of bridges in my area which are only passable at low to mid tide and this has left me in a tight spot more than a couple of times.
I would appreciate any advise.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

There isn't any way that I know of to make the arch's moveable short of getting out the sawzall. The items you would have to worry about is finding a way to secure it, and to keep from messing up any of the wiring inside when folding the arch down. The older SeaRay's and many other cruisers had bolted-on arches that you could take down if you had to, but they still weren't made to be removed conveniently. You'll just have to pay close attention to the times/tide levels and plan accordingly to keep from removing your lights/radar/arch on a bridge truss.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

With enough time and $$ ...anything can be accomplished...first thought that comes to my mind, is a pivoting base for the arch so it can swing down and be locked into place in both positions , up and down.......and yes , the Sawz-all will be put into use.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

Agree - you could do it if you are good with fiberglass and patience. The first cut will be the hardest! It seems like alot of work, but if you really want to, I'm sure there's a way.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

Again the main part of concern for me would be the structural integrity. I don't know how thick the fiberglass is, or what bracing/support is inside the arch. The arch probably takes a good deal of stress from wind especially underway, and serves as a mounting point/strucral component of the bimini/camper enclosures when used. You would need to have it sit perfectly flush when upright and fastened securely.

Something that would actually work well would be a mechanism similar to an umbrella from an umbrella table. The mechanism is a clamp with gear/teeth on the inside when would lock the arch in place, but allow it to pivot up/down easily with a bolt through the middle to provide the clamping force. You'd just have to watch the wiring inside the arch to ensure nothing gets stretched or pinched during operation.

It would still involve a dremel/sawzall-type tool and a lot of expert fiberglassing/fabrication skills in order to create the mechanism and make it look factory. (You'd think the cruiser builders would have done this already)

 

[rbh]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

Hinge and pin mounting base????
If that doesn't work for you, well I sure could use an arch.

 

[john744]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

Is your arch fiberglass or aluminum? Aluminum would be easier and more structurally sound. Fiberglass could be done, it's just a matter of $$$$$

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

His will be fiberglass. The only SeaRay's i'm aware of that use metal for the arch is the amberjack.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

I'll bet the arch is bloted on so put the saw away. Find the mounting bolts and go from there. Contacting the manufacturer might be a good idea.

It's still going to be a very big job to make it into some sort of fold down arch. And it's pretty heavy so it will be difficult and inconvenient even then.

I would think long and hard about this plan.

 

[shrew]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

If it's a fiberglass arch, then it will be bolted. I just took a quick look at the most recent models for Searay online. All the fiberglass arches appear to have a seam that can be seen between the arch and the cockpit gunnel.

There will be a large hole at the bottom of a fiberglass arch and also on the top of the cockpit gunnel that the arch sits on. The electronics and anchor light wires run through this chase and down the inside of the gunnel to the either the helm or engine compartment. Hinging this would potentially allow water to leak in. This could end up in anywhere. My midcabin is directly below this chase on my boat and if water were leaking here on mine, it would be leaking into the aft cabin. I suspect most express cruisers would be similar. I would strongly consider water instrustion with this type of modification.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Modify 2009 Sea Ray Sundancer arch to make moveable

My comments about the cutting tools was related to the modification required to make it moveable. As you mentioned the arch itself is simply bolted on in some fashion, no saw required just for removal.