Mast Arch support

[stuendan]

Hi,

I have a largish solar panel attached to the rear of the mast arch at the top, with support struts from the mid point of the panel down to the pushpit rails (with seats). This arrangement keeps the panel at right angles to the arch but doesn't really brace the mast arch itself (poor geometry?). When I initially set it up, I had the panel about horizontal, but after a ccouple of years I now notice the arch tubing uprights have a slight bend in them to the rear just above the top of the arch sockets, such that the panel now droops down about 10 deg.

I may also have a crack developing on one side at a point where I clevely drilled 3/8 " holes to neatly run the solar panel wiring up inside the arch tubing....... have to pull it off to check and get it fixed.

There is a lot of movement to and fro at the arch top due to the sloppy fit of the arch in the tube sockets attached to the boat - very noticable when the mast is moved back or forward into position. As I store the boat mast up on it's trailer, I can also see a lot of Arch/solar panel movement as I tow the boat/trailer over bumps on way to dry berth.

I am toying with the idea of somehow bolting the arch to the pushpit, as high as possible as a possible solution! Any thoughts or other ideas guys?

[vizwhiz]

Pics would help...

[Mac26Mpaul]

I havn't quite got my head around what your describing. But I have my 120w panel off the mast arch since 2011 and havnt had issues. In 2013 I did beef it up a bit using stainless tube and Bimini fittings to join it to the most aft stauntions.

[stuendan]

Thanks for the great pics Mac26paul.

I too will add s/s stays from the arch to the pushpit uprights to brace it up, using bimini fittings, just as soon as I get the repaired arch back from the S/S Fabricators.....

Stuart