Quote:
Originally Posted by bigeasy1
My arch was made by Atlantic towers as well. However I opted for a custom built model made specically for the 23 Sceptre
I weigh 255 lbs and I can hang from the arch with absolutely zero movement or deflection from the arch.Its been six years now and its still as solid as the day we installed it.
Atlantic recommends applying stress to the arch when installing it so its purposely made so that tension has to be applied to it (width) when mounting it.
Atlantic supplied backing plates with the arch which I did use but I also made extral large rectangular 1/4" thick aluminum plates mounted to the back side of the fiberglass.
I think this mounting system works well and takes a lot of stress because there are a couple compound bends which add to the rigidity of the mount.
We dont often get the big swells on the great lakes (lake Ontario) like the saltwater folks do, but more often than not we get those nasty steep close together waves like Long Island sound that feels like being in a washing machine SoThe arch takes its share of vibration With no loosening or damage to any of the 14 extra rod holders, or the radar dome or gps & vhs antennas.
Im very happy with its performance
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Thanks for the input, bigeasy1.
Interesting about it being designed to be mounted under tension (or compression). Did they make the arch a bit too wide or a bit too narrow? Did you need to spread the legs further apart to mount it or push them closer to together? Was it a matter of 1/4"? 1/2"?
I like the idea of an additional larger backing plate.
I'm interested in Atlantic's 'Tower in a Box' because of $999 with free shipping to a commercial address. Shelly says their fiscal year begins in August, which is when they implement any price changes. Aluminum's been falling for 5 years, though, so I assume they wont increase the price.
I'll use it as a radar arch and jungle gym for the kids. I'd prefer no rod holders because I'd rather have the extra headroom clearance. I'm not a fisherman. Are you 6' tall? How much clearance between your head and the bottom of the rod holders? Did you specify the height of the arch or did they? I assume they have the dimensions of our boats on file.
Do you have any installation advice? Including running wires through the arch?