Fabbed a tower

[Nineball]

Had to rush and get it fishable for neah bay.  I got the look I was after, but it is my first attempt using the bender and a spool gun.  It holds the things I need and worked very well.  I messed up on the angle of the front feet.   Have no clue how it happened and decided to push on.  And pay no attention to the 5200 around the base of the window 

No Hali though.  Friday was a rough day at the dump and we left quite a bit of gear in DJ's locker :whistle: Sunday I went out on another boat with a solid plan to anchor but we got lines in the water just at the tail end of the bite said another boat fishing nearby.

Got to meet Nicole and HemiGTX so that was cool.

[Nineball]

Here's more pics

[Marine40]

Very nice job. It must be nice to do your own work.



Darren

[Flying Arima]

Very nice, that looks great  I like the design.

[GregE]

Wow, multiple bends too.  You must have measured 20 times 

And a bigger wow on that shop!!

[Nineball]

Yeah,  I had to scrap the first rear hoop.  Of course the second time went a little smoother.  I was trying for more angle/height on that crown but it wasn't meant to be.  The learning curve for aluminum using the spoolgun was steep.  Ended up getting best results using a preheat from a small map gas torch. I also had a rear curtain made up to match.  Didn't use it though.

[Rokefin]

Tower looks really stout - excellent job!

uh the window seal job looks like something I would have done if I were rushed   I usually try to match the color or use clear so the imperfections don't stand out....

[DevMah]

Nice work looks great.

Dev

[BruceL2_Fish]

Great job, looks awesome!

[Mooch]

Well done and under deadline too.  :impressed:

[Wiley]

Very niiiice.. I think GregE has shop envy.. two arimas in there and he notices the hard wood floors 

[AJFishin]

Nice design and it looks really good  :applause: just don't let Yat see the 5200 around the base of the window :hoboy:

[Fisherdv]

You got that right Painters tape is your friend. 5200 comes in black too. Although Yat would have used  Life seal

[Nineball]

Sounds like round2 might employ some 5200 in black,  painters tape,  and a fairing tool :biggrin:

[Yachter Yat]

   OH MY GOD!........I just saw it!  :hoboy:   That caulking wouldn't have looked so bad, but I just had my cataract surgery Monday........and I made the mistake of looking with my "good eye".      

Yat

[Fisherdv]

And the million dollar question......how are you going to remove that white 5200

[DevMah]

And the million dollar question......how are you going to remove that white 5200

5200 comes off easy with some goo gone and a scraper.

Dev

[HemiGTX]

Love the design of the arch!  I think we were fishing near each other on Fri?  I'm pretty certain I saw that arch on the water. 

Great to meet you, too.  I'll be moored in the same spot the next two weekends.  Drop by if you're out there.

[Mooch]

........and I made the mistake of looking with my "good eye".      

Yat

Hoist ye mizzens and don't spit in ye windwards.  Landlubbers to the larboard and all swabs to the poop deck.  Shiver me timbers, 5200'ers will walk the plank for not using LifeSeal!  Arghh.



Yat, which lenses did you get and when is your other eye scheduled?  It may be a challenge until both are done, especially working on your phone or computer.  Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery.

[Yachter Yat]

      Thanks for that, Mooch.   They used an Alcon "Acry sof" 23.5 D lens in my left eye.  Unbelievable difference.  Yeah...my right eye now doesn't get along with my left, but I can see much, much better both near and far.....even at this point.  No problem reading or using the computer. I have two more appointments before they'll set a date for the second.  They'll actually be doing the right eye for a bit more distance, but even at this point I can see way better at distance.  Close-up or watching TV is no problem. 

   What a difference going through those dimly lit tunnels in Boston.  I can actually read the exit signs.....and no more glaring taillights.  What's really funny is blocking my left eye in the living room at night.  It looks like we're having a power "brownout".    

Yat
   
 

[Yachter Yat]

   Sorry, Nineball.......don't mean to highjack your thread, but I just wanted to tell Mooch that one of the nurses down at Boston Medical Center took some film of me and some of my friends, in the recovery room, after my eye surgery.  It's here:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOWckOfARBE

Yat

[Bigfish1!]

I'm always a big fan of do it yourselfers with way more skill than me, (you), but I really am not a big fan of most arches.  I have seen many of them crack and fail at the welds or crack the hull where they are mounted.  I really do appreciate the work you put into it but am concerned with the design.  That is a pretty high arch with a very small foot print.  I have seen arches develop a vibration all their own and either crack in several places or wrack out of square.  Hope yours lasts 20 years and you have enough rods to fill all of those rocket launchers!

[Nineball]

Ha, hijack away Yat no prob.  A heat gun and a flat wooden paint stir stick will make quick work of removing 5200.  I use the wooden stir stick for a scraper to track the amount of heat being applied.

I will keep a good eye on the structure for sure.  The good news is that I can always add stiffeners,  and I have plenty of epoxy resin and glass left over too.  I sure hope I never need to go that route though. I am 6'1" and the top was made so that it barely clears with me standing at the helm.  I kept that arch tight against the top to: 1) minimize the moment and CG, and 2) allow full use of the walk-around.  That thing comes in handy as a grab rail for sure.  I hung upside down off of it already already for no good reason other than to curb some enthusiasm after it was ready to make the trip to neah.

Cheers fellas

[Markshoreline]

Sounds like a great design and execution, but if there is a need to redo you're the man!  Nice job, btw.