Has anyone added an arch to thier 365?

[jpendoley]

Walkabout (formerly TropicBird) came with a rickety wooden arch that I have removed. It supported the sternlight and a wind gen pole as well as the GPS antennae. I'm thinking of adding an arch that I can put solar panels on and wondering if anyone in the group has done the same and can offer pointers?
Thanks!
Jim

[SVJourney]

I didn't have an arch, but had a 200W panel mounted on custom made dingy davits.  This kept the panel away from the mizzen boom.  The panels tilted up and down to allow access to the stern and to allow sun tracking manually.

[jpendoley]

Thanks Journey. I have a sloop and Kato davits which I love. They already have two 140 watt panels. It's a great pair of davits and excellent for solar. I'm replacing an older wooden arch. Just placed an order with Atlantic Towers for their standard sail arch, but in schedule 80 rather than 40 aluminum. Will carry an additional panel or two, wind gen and antennae and lights. Considered the radar too, but I may move that from its existing pole to the mast. Too much junk in the trunk! Will post a picture for the group when done.
How's your new ship coming along?

[jpendoley]

Here is the boat newly painted with the arch installed. Its built out of thickwalled schedule 80 aluminum.The arch is very, very sturdy-rated for 450 pounds and you could do chinups on it. I never thought I would install one, but have come to like the convenience of increased solar and wind energy.  Right now the radar is on the arch with wind genny, gps, and a cellular booster. Will be adding another 120Watt panel to the 240 watts mounted on the davits. Radar might get moved to the mast.  I purchased an optional hoist for onboarding heavy items such as an outboard or even a person overboard-though the stern would not be a preferred location givern the prop exposure...
Have to say the quality of the arch is really high-the welds look very neat and the overall impression is one of a well thought out and reliable structure. It has the appearence of a much more expensive locally built arch at   half the cost.