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  where move antenna when putting suntop on outrage

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Author Topic:   where move antenna when putting suntop on outrage
North Beach posted 05-29-2002 08:37 PM ET (US)   Profile for North Beach  
have 1986 outrage. bought bimini top (from someone on CW). Was worried that it was too narrow, but fits perfectly on boat. Problem: Loran and vhf atennae in the way (ie, under the softop which is very wide). Guess I have to relocate, but the ant. are already on the bow end of the teak on the top of the gunnels--in other words, I cant move them forward becaust the gunnel becomes solid and no way to run wires, etc. i have looked at every picture in cetecea to see simliar arrangements but cant find any.

Query: Is there anything I can do or did I outsmart myself by making sure I have a wide suntop?

dfmcintyre posted 05-29-2002 09:35 PM ET (US)     Profile for dfmcintyre  Send Email to dfmcintyre     
If your interested, I'll send you a .jpg of how I've rigged the VHF antenna on the inside gunnel of my Outrage. Same installation on my earlier outrages, Revenge and Montauk.

Don

aubv posted 05-29-2002 10:09 PM ET (US)     Profile for aubv  Send Email to aubv     
Hi NB,
I was thinking about you, LBI and BI and was glad to not be there this weekend. Did you go out?

I don't remember if you have a railing that goes up and over your windshield? On my 17' I do and I use the center vertical support for a small 3' whip antenna and a nylon swiveling mount. Will be doing something similar on the 23' except on t-top like the GPS antenna. I almost never use this antenna as I have a 2 handhelds that fit on the dash. The bigger antenna/radio is hooked up but really is my emergency radio. The nice thing about the swivel mount is I can turn the antenna down and it fits between the cc and front cooler. Not in the way for fishing. Even with a bimini you could have a small hole sewn in allowing antenna to pass thru bimini, not sure it would even be needed. I know antenna height is important, on the 17' it is about 7', seems like yours would be about the same. Knowing where you will be fishing not sure you would anything other than 3'. Hope all is well.

Brian

lhg posted 05-30-2002 04:14 PM ET (US)     Profile for lhg    
NB - See photos of the 18 & 19 Outrages in the Rendezvous section, pages 1, 2 & 3.

Both of these boats, one of which is mine, have the two antennas mounted on the rear portion of the bow rail, using SS rail clamp ratchet lay downs (to the stern). Works very well, and clears the sun top nicely. The wiring can be cable tied to the underside of the rail.

If this doesn't work, your top is too wide.
Most are not aware that a properly designed sun top/flying top does come up perfectly vertical from the gunwales, but instead tapers in about 5 degrees or so. Check out the pictures of the Mills work on this site, and the taper becomes noticable. This allows them to nicely stow on the bow area.

jimp posted 05-30-2002 05:04 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimp  Send Email to jimp     
NB -

I just sent you 3 photos of my old Montauk. The VHF antenna was mounted on top of the aft port gunwale when I bought the boat (1982 Montauk) in 1988. In 1991, I added the LORAN antenna to the starboard side to match it.

The antennas were definitely out of the way for the Montauk's full enclosure and while underway. While trolling, I laid the antennas down on the gunwale. Not the best, but the LORAN and radio still received. If I ever needed the VHF in an emergency, I would have to put it back up.

JimP

Casey Casebeer posted 05-30-2002 07:42 PM ET (US)     Profile for Casey Casebeer  Send Email to Casey Casebeer     
NB -

Here's my solution....

Originally, my VHF antennae was mounted low on the starboard side of the Montauk's console. Radio performance was marginal at best due to all the metal (handrail and bimini) closeby.

Like you, I couldn't figure a way to route the coaxial cable through a foamed hull and gunnel - so had to come up with another solution. I fabricated an "antennae extention" using PVC pipe that perfectly fits in the starboard rod-holder on the front side of the console. Now I rig the bimini so it's a tad farther aft so the antennae assembly clears the leading edge of the bimini. I put a screw-together coax connector on the line so it's easy to dismantle the whole affair and stow it when not on the water. Now, the entire antennae asembly is above the level of the bimini. The increased radio performance is spectacular.
Casey

North Beach posted 05-30-2002 08:26 PM ET (US)     Profile for North Beach    
Gentlemen:

You have given lots to think about--thanks also for the pictures. I have to look at the boat this weekend (not at home) and see if I can fit the ant. on the bow rails--it should work, but i have to see. I will also have to checkout the other ideas--it may be easier to mount on the stern gunnels likr the montauk. I plan on printing this out and taking it to the shore to anlyze. I feel alot better knowing there will be a solution.

Also slightly embarrassed not to have picked up the pictures in the rendevous section--I looked a them for help, but could not discern how mounted

AUBV: Did not make it out BI last weekend--of all things, I drove to the ramp to take frinds for a ride in the bay, and discovered that the battery was dead--my son (who you met on the ocean and who is really a good kid)--who loves to play in the boat--hit the on button for the VHF and drained the battery. Cant get mad over that-its part of the boating/fatherhood game.

Thanks to all and I will let you know how I make out.

aubv posted 05-30-2002 08:44 PM ET (US)     Profile for aubv  Send Email to aubv     
NB,

Good reason to have and use a main battery switch. We saw it happen with adults at the marina all the time.

Your son may have done you a favor buy not subjecting your guests to BI on a busy day! :-)

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