Radar Dome On T-top

[shawn fisher]

Hello Tfer's

I'm Looking For Some Advice And Tips On Installing A Radar Dome On Top Of My T-top. My Top Has All Round Pipe. The Boat Is A 2005 22cc Sea Pro. I Was Told I May Need To Have Some 3" Flat Aluminum Stock Welded In Place To Make A Base For The Dome To Bolt To. I Was Thinking, 1/2 Starboard Through Bolted Through The Top Of The Frame And That Would Be The Base To Mount The Dome.

Any And All Ideas Are Always Appreciated.


Tight Lines,
Shawn

[27 sailfish]

I'd listen to the advice about the aluminum plating.Rough water can put alot of stress on the mount.A new dome will be expensive.You might be able to bolt on a mounting plate.Be sure to use SS hardware and aircraft nuts.

With boats-do it right the first time. Skip

[reel addict]

I used starboard on my t top been 300hrs has,nt broke yet i did say yet i used stainless U bolts with the washers that go all the way across good luck either way if you have time and money weld it

LEE

[Get the gaff]

Buddy, this is the best example you are going to get. I have a 2002 Sea Pro 220CC. I used starboard to clamp the radar around the tubing. On the first Offshore trip the welds on the support in the middle broke on both sides and the radar came through the canvas and landed on the e-box. It sucks, get a plate welded that is wider than the footprint of the radar.

[MikeRada]

Just put a radome on my Bluefin Pro Fisc CC I went with the welded option and am very happy .................... a little too much invested in what sits on top of it to go the inexpensive route.

[shawn fisher]

Thanks for the responses. Had 14"x14" 1/8 aluminum plate welded on today. Cost was $125.00 for everything. Going to attempt to install tommorow.

[StepChild]

IMHO....1/8" aint very much... The dome weight plus 2-3'ers added in for good measure will probably show ya just how strong 1/8" alum is...(NOT). Not trying to be negative, but if ya got the canvas off now, go with 3/8 to 1/2"...it doesn't cost that much more. Have the welder add to your 1/8"...you'll be a happy fisherman!!

[done workin]

Depending on the grade of the 1/8" you might be OK if you use backer plates where you bolt through. I'd also be worried about the weld points as well.

Really 1/4" or 3/8" would be much better.

Depending on where you live I can point you in the direction for some flat stock.

[shawn fisher]

oops. it is 1/2 stock. welds are on top and bottom.