Atlantic Towers alternative

[Valmika]

There was a post awhile back where someone had mentioned a less expensive version of the Atlantic towers arch in a box. I believe it was called tuna tower or fishing tower or something. It was about half the price of an Atlantic systems. Does anyone know what this is or where I could get info on it?

[kenbo]

FishOnSports.com

[billknny]

Originally Posted by Valmika

There was a post awhile back where someone had mentioned a less expensive version of the Atlantic towers arch in a box. I believe it was called tuna tower or fishing tower or something. It was about half the price of an Atlantic systems. Does anyone know what this is or where I could get info on it?

Half Atlantic Tower's price for an arch? Really? That would be about $1000. It is hard to imagine you could get something of decent quality for that...

[pcmm]

The Uniarch as they call it is much less expensive than Atlantic towers (which in turn is less expensive that many others. Their fittings look a bit more "agricultural"

From my veiw point they both have the same problem. from certain angles they are really ugly. The 90 degree corners make the arch look top heavy. While practical from maximizing the utility I think the arch ( when viewed from the stern) should taper in towards the top (probably something like a 110deg angle ) to make the top a bit narrower and make it look better. The only way that's going to happen is custom, which can be less expensive than you think. Just need to find a good local welder and do some of the legwork yourself. cuttling Aluminum is easy and can be done with average home tools. Just need to get it setup the way you want and have the welder tack everything together. then test fit and final weld. I'm designing one that I will likely build in a couple of years but It will be split down the middle so that I can transport the pieces ontop of my SUV, get it to the boat and then bolt it together down the middle with a radar pad type of filler piece. a local machine shop can bend 4 pieces of sched 40 alu into the shape I want for about $75per bend x 4 and the cost of the ALU and I should have the thing built for under $1k CAD (Canadian)

[Valmika]

Originally Posted by pcmm

The Uniarch as they call it is much less expensive than Atlantic towers (which in turn is less expensive that many others. Their fittings look a bit more "agricultural"

From my veiw point they both have the same problem. from certain angles they are really ugly. The 90 degree corners make the arch look top heavy. While practical from maximizing the utility I think the arch ( when viewed from the stern) should taper in towards the top (probably something like a 110deg angle ) to make the top a bit narrower and make it look better. The only way that's going to happen is custom, which can be less expensive than you think. Just need to find a good local welder and do some of the legwork yourself. cuttling Aluminum is easy and can be done with average home tools. Just need to get it setup the way you want and have the welder tack everything together. then test fit and final weld. I'm designing one that I will likely build in a couple of years but It will be split down the middle so that I can transport the pieces ontop of my SUV, get it to the boat and then bolt it together down the middle with a radar pad type of filler piece. a local machine shop can bend 4 pieces of sched 40 alu into the shape I want for about $75per bend x 4 and the cost of the ALU and I should have the thing built for under $1k CAD (Canadian)

What are you using for the pads and cross members? Will the all be welded?


Thanks

[Valmika]

Originally Posted by kenbo

FishOnSports.com

Thank You!!

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Valmika

What are you using for the pads and cross members? Will the all be welded?


Thanks

The mounting pads, I'm currently thinking of just purchasing those from Atlantic towers unless I find a good substitute locally. Cross members will be cut from the same sched 40 alu pipe (I have a notcher for this). I should be able to mock everything up in place, mark, then take it to the welder to have him weld up

Everything will be welded except for the joint at the center, This will be bolted so that the whole thing can be more easily transported. That way I can take it to the welders shop where getting it welded it cheaper and more controlled.

[kapnd]

Standard sch 40 aluminum pipe is not great in the area of corrosion resistance.
Invest a little more in proper materials, it will pay back.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by kapnd

Standard sch 40 aluminum pipe is not great in the area of corrosion resistance.
Invest a little more in proper materials, it will pay back.

Seems to work for Atlantic Towers... I will get my assembly anodized once its at the right stage. (I have a bunch of other parts to do too so the price won't be too bad.)

[kenbo]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Seems to work for Atlantic Towers... I will get my assembly anodized once its at the right stage. (I have a bunch of other parts to do too so the price won't be too bad.)

Commercial vessels use sch 40 & 10 Al pipe extensively. No issue at all.

[kapnd]

I have both standard pipe and alloy fixtures on my decks, there is an obvious difference. I can’t remember the number, but it’s aluminum that’s higher in chromium and manganese. It’s much better looking from the getgo, and shows obviously much less salt damage.
IMO, well worth a few bucks more at the outset, but suit yourself!