I already had an access panel on the starboard side that I cut in to install my dinghy motor bracket. I added a matching access panel on the port side. The channel is bolted to the transom with three 3/8 bolts per side and has a full aluminum backing plate on the inside of the transom behind the bolts. The plates are cut from the same channel. I mounted it at a slightly raked back angle to match up well with the angle of the aft panel in my enclosure.
The number one purpose of the arch was to serve as a rear mast carrier that would support the mast in the trailering position above my folded back bimini in it's boot. I didn't want to mess with folding the bimini down for mast lowering and trailering. The old mast crutch was poorly designed and it bound up on the mast when rolling it forward and backward. The old one also sagged and required an extra pipe to support it securely and limit the bouncing. I used the same rubber roller that was in the old factory crutch. The new arch is super strong and allows the mast to roll smoothly back and forth.
It also provides great mounting locations for a bunch of stuff. I moved the lifesling and the life ring to it's outside surfaces. I used the stock ring bracket and attached a cross wise piece of 3/4 tube to strap the lifesling velcro to. This gets them both more inboard than where they were on the aft pulpits so they don't hang out past the boat width and hit things. It also let's me leave them in place during trailering.
The arch now also mounts the VHF antenna, the GPS antenna and the LED anchor light. All these are mounted so they fold down to allow the mast to roll above them.
On the inside of the arch the BBQ grill and the bracket to hold our rod holder mount BBQ table are attached. This puts the BBQ area in a great place to use out the back window of our enclosure. You no longer have to step out onto the transom to grill.
The same stainless rod holder that holds the table also mounts our 400' poly shore tie spool. I just pull the table and drop in the poly spool mounted on it's 1-1/2" dowel. With both the table and the spool removed the rod holder makes a nice handle when boarding from the stern. The rod holder itself can be pulled right out of the bracket to clear the way for loading gear.
Off the back of the arch I installed a mini gin pole. It is a simple 3/4" aluminum tube that slips over a protruding 3" bolt. The outer end has eye straps for the top and the bottom that are through bolted. By attaching the main sheet to the bottom of this I can easily lift the dinghy motor off it's bracket and lower it onto the dinghy transom. The gin pole slides off easily and is stored inside the arch channel. The line does not need to be untied.
In the future, more uses of the arch may include solar panels, TV antenna, Radar antenna, and Kayak carrier (when the sailing mast is left home).
