Radar Arch drain?

Aprice

Hey guys. Do you guys have a drain spout or spot on your arches? I have some cracking on mine and I don't have a drain or way to see the water escape and prevent further damage to the arch. Have any of you made a drain by drilling a hole or something? Any pics if so. Also. If this arch is aluminum are the cracks just the paint or is there a layer of gelcoat?

jme097

My arch is tubular aluminum underneath the fiberglass or gelcoat. I would just get the cracking fixed to be honest

bella-vita

 I also have no drain ,mine was draining behind my ice machine than into mid bilge from the hole that the wires went through.Ihad to  clean and caulk the base where it meets boat I couldn't believe haw much water was coming in from their! It is dry now

Handymans342

You need to stop the water from getting in the arch in the first place

LaRea

My '03 342 developed cracks after the first winter.  As a warranty repair, the dealership drilled drain holes at the bottom aft end of the arch, just above where it meets the hull.  

zaverin1

I see the list is fixed
how did that play out
looks good

Aprice

Thanks  @zaverin1
They fixed what need to be fixed. I am just doing the little things that ease my mind and curb my OCD. I have a good list still for the things that I want perfect like the windshield weather stripping, the Arch and adding a drain hole of some sort in the event that water does get in there it can get out and not cause any freeze damage. I keep plugging away and doing my best to make her mine. 

Anyone know if the channel that runs along the arch for the canvas to attach to should be caulked along the seem between the arch and the channel? Mine is not. And water does drip through the rain like we have had. 

wm61356

On my 320 the channel is bedded and calked to the arch.

Liberty44140

Right, that pvc channel should have sealant to keep out rain 

Boatrupt

I have the same issue.  While my boat looks great, the arch looks terrible due to cracks and flaking.  The arch is painted aluminum.  Aluminum is difficult enough for paint to adhere, but stainless screws and moisture, and the paint will inevitably fail.  I don't believe it has anything to do with water getting into the arch.

Handymans342

It's gel coat, not paint

MarkB

Once aluminum starts flaking, it just gets worse unless you take care of it. I had to have a repair done due to a chip on the one grab rail on my arch. The guy had to cut out to get to untarnished material, prime right away, use some aircraft grade filler, etc.  It wasn't a cheap repair considering it was less than 1" that was damaged. Anyhow, it didn't come back, so the repair was good.

LaRea

All I can say is:  when I sold the boat nine years after the dealer added drain holes and touched up the gelcoat, there were no more cracks.