Soft tops and radar mounts

[OLD BAY]

I have a soft top Wasque (pic below) and would like to install radar, likely broadband. I already have a lowrance GPS.

How can I mount this? I don't want, or have deck room for, a mast behind the Bimini. I'd prefer a pre windshield mast, but local yards say making one costs thousands. While I'm pretty handy, fabricating a wood mast and mount is beyond my skill. Any cost effective options? I'm jealous of those with hard tops!

 

[steveinak]

how about a aluminum mount and have it powder coated a dark color to look like wood ?? easy to fabricate yourself then take it to a shop to have it welded together.

 

[blackdiamond296]

Atlantic Towers does some great work.

We bought a radar arch from them and later added their bolt on hard top, which incorporated into the existing arch in the back, and put down two supports forward.

If you you have your heart set on a forward arch there's a good chance they already have dimensions for something that would work- they did all our work from measurements they had from previous jobs on the same boat model.

 

[OLD BAY]

Thanks guys, I like the metal idea. I was also thinking about using a premade flagstaff.

This company ( Bete-Fleming, Inc.: Marine Products ) makes up to 6' long and 2" thick flagstaffs, all for a few hundred bucks. then I could use a standard radar mount.

 

[fortier256]

Radar Tower

Dont cut any corners with that boat. Its a pretty boat. If you are going to put a radar mount on make sure that it is done correctly

Beautiful boat!

 

[eztbone]

Call Cw hood in Marblehead. Chances are they built them for their boats

 

[Hallelujah Newman 36]

Ellis yachts makes them for their boats. Also check Newman and Gray Facebook page it looks like they fabricated one for one of their boats. Pendleton yacht yard has a nice example on one of the Newman 36 they have for sale. Farrin's is going to fabricate one for us. Not sure yet what it will look like. Good luck

 

[eztbone]

pm me Ive got some pictures that Im having trouble posting

 

[captainlarry84]

Some ideas

 

[DBM]

How tall is your windshield? You might give Marty over at Composite Yachts a call. I bet he could come up with a mount that sits right on top of the center of your windshield. I also think calling hood is a good idea.

Good luck.

DBM

 

[OLD BAY]

How tall is your windshield? You might give Marty over at Composite Yachts a call. I bet he could come up with a mount that sits right on top of the center of your windshield. I also think calling hood is a good idea.

Good luck.

DBM

Thanks, I'll give composites a call. I sent an email to CW Hood. The Wasque 26 mast looks like a good match too. I have to go to the boat for the exact measurements, but if memory serves, it's about 48" long/tall (including the rake).

 

[aweigh again]

I saw a soft top that had its stainless steel canvass frame retrofitted for a furuno radar , they had a 1 inch vertical tube welded to the aft canvas rib that was placed on the boats center line. I was impressed by this set-up. it did not drastically change the looks of the boat. I took the liberty to see if it moved at all when shaking the canvas top.it seemed pretty strong.the boat was at mt. desert island me.