Double Eagle roof top rework

seachicken

Well-Known Member
Hey guys I need to rework the roof of my Double Eagle. My plotter doesn't keep correct heading, it's always 10-15 degrees to the left or right. I've tried calibrating it and it doesn't help. As you can see in the picture the puck certainly is not 24" from the radar... Step one is going to be to remove the radar for now to see if that helps. And yes I know my anchor light is probably too low.

Longer term though I want rod holders across the back and figure I might as well ditch the factory roof bars and build something to mount the radar, maybe a full hoop around the top. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on layout and where is best for the radar, maybe even a mount out the front. Also any pictures would be great. I have a bender with a 1-3/4" die and a tig welder so will do it myself, just not with fancy anodized tubing. I might be convinced to buy a smaller die...
 

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Could be your VHF antennas too? What about moving your GPS puck instead? I believe there is no rule it needs to be on the roof, just have a clear view of the sky - could you put it out on your bow?
 
Could be your VHF antennas too? What about moving your GPS puck instead? I believe there is no rule it needs to be on the roof, just have a clear view of the sky - could you put it out on your bow?
Yes you are correct from what I've read. I'd rather keep it on the roof at this point. I think it's far enough from the antennas but haven't measured...
 
Plotter is an Elite FS 9, I think it has an internal antenna. Is the puck overkill? I do have an autopilot, not sure if it's required for that?
Probably, I ditch my puck on my Raymarine but I don’t have auto pilot, not sure if you need it
 
get a dgps heading sensor if you want to get rid of the puck.
 
get a dgps heading sensor if you want to get rid of the puck.
Thanks, just not sure about if I want to spend $2600 on that one though! Will probably keep the puck, just need to figure out if the issue is it's proximity to
 
My setup… I would have just mounted the point-1 puck on my dash but the boat already had holes in the roof so I utilized them.

I believe you need the AP point-1 antenna if you have Autopilot.
 

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My setup… I would have just mounted the point-1 puck on my dash but the boat already had holes in the roof so I utilized them.

I believe you need the AP point-1 antenna if you have Autopilot.
Thanks for the pictures and feedback, I have been considering a double bar arch like yours.
 
So what does everyone think about something like this design I drew in Fusion 360? Not an accurate scale as I don't have measurements with me, probably 6 rod holders but 5 was easy math to draw, gives the jist of it. Radar mounted out front, antennas on the front corners, Point 1 puck on the pad in the back. Anchor light will be on there somewhere too, maybe just behind the radar...
 

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Looks good; maybe add a couple of crossmembers running bow-stern or port-starboard if you ever want to carry anything on the roof.

Also, I don’t know if you have a canvas for the back but you might want to make sure the rocket launchers don’t interfere with attaching it. I had a custom stainless rack fabricated and had to get two of them cut off and re-welded for this reason.
 
Looks good; maybe add a couple of crossmembers running bow-stern or port-starboard if you ever want to carry anything on the roof.

Also, I don’t know if you have a canvas for the back but you might want to make sure the rocket launchers don’t interfere with attaching it. I had a custom stainless rack fabricated and had to get two of them cut off and re-welded for this reason.
Thanks, ya I was thinking about cross members as I will probably have lumber for the cabin on it at some point.

Also I've been keeping in mind the canvas, definitely need to have clearance on that. Not sure if the rocker launchers should be aft of the roof edge or just forward of it?
 
Thanks, ya I was thinking about cross members as I will probably have lumber for the cabin on it at some point.

Also I've been keeping in mind the canvas, definitely need to have clearance on that. Not sure if the rocker launchers should be aft of the roof edge or just forward of it?
I would think either slightly aft or forward would be better than right over the edge like mine. As you can see in the pic, it was the middle two that had to be cut off, raised and re-welded to allow room for the canvas. Even now it is tight to work around to get the snaps on.
 

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