Availability of Alum or Stainless archway

[Didier]

I am looking for a used unit that I could fit and mount on my Nautica 5.85, this would be to relocate my VHF antenna (8 ft), which is on a stainless swivel lock mount, as well as relocate my GPS antenna, this would relieve clutter on the center consul and allow me to travel under bridges without lowering the antenna at its base every time. There are some stipulations though, I still would like to be able to place my rib in my garage, so height is a factor. Any comments or offerings welcome.
Thank you.....Didier

[batfalcon]

You may use a foldable one. Basically it has some kind of hinges near it's base, so you can fold it to pass a garage door.

[Alan Mckewan]

I have made my own on my last 4 ribs, all folding and SS. They are all made from 11/2 inch or 2 inch stainless tubing which can be bought fairly cheaply at a local steel suppliers. The 2 inch looks best but its harder to bend. You can get 304 or 316 stainless - the 304 is cheaper but discolours a bit, 316 is better. I get a 5 metre length for about 30 pounds, this will make one big or two small ones. The earlier ones (before I found a local company who could bend SS tubing) were made by cutting the tubing to form four 45 degree mitres which can easily be welded. The last two I got bent locally for about 25 quid each. Then you just weld two bits of 40mm (11/2) by 6mm flat bar on the last 16 inches of the frame to get a flat surface to bolt onto. I have tried just drilling through the tubing but you cant tighten the bolts up very well without flattening it. For the fold-down I have welded or bolted on various SS hinges. You just bolt the hinge onto the transom at the bottom and then have two bolts at the top with wing nuts to lock the frame up. One more piece of flat bar welded at the top for the lights. aerials etc. and its done. I also got a couple of them powder coated black to go with the seats etc., plus it covers up any rough looking welds. All up cost £70 least £100 worst. [Much easier & cheaper now I have my own MIG welder!] If you want I can email some close up pix..

[Didier]

Sure, like to see your handywork,thanks Allen. I know of someone that made a banister, out on his deck out of 2" s/s tubing, that may just work, now to seek out a pipe bending operation around. Thanks for the idea.
Didier

[Alan Priddy]

There is a shop just outside Jacksonville that makes frames for all sorts of boats. I cannot remember thier name but I am sure that they will listed under your commercial listing, if not your local Boats R Us will have details on them.

Alan Priddy

[Garygee]

I have a similar problem getting my RIB in the garage.

If your garage roof is higher than the door, like many are just lift the front of the trailer till the transom/A frame is low enough to go through the garage door. Once inside where it higher just raise again. I aslo use a folding VHF antanna.
This works with me, i just have to deflate the tubes and pull my RIB forward on the tailer as well.
My RIB is a 4.8 but I dont think that the A frame would be that much lower.

Gary