I would like to know the viability of removing or lowering the arch on a 2000 406. Lots of low bridges on our canal system in upstate NY!
No problem at all. The only considerations are whether there's enough slack in the wires (have someone watching them as it's lowered), and whether there's any kind of hinge. On the 56 Hat we just brought through the Erie Canal we were concerned about the hinge and the weight. We found that there was like a fin below the arch that stayed in the slot when down. So hinges were no concern. We had 3 guys bring the arch down the first time, but then I raised it by myself (having another guy start the bolts when back in place. So on a 406 Carver I anticipate no problems once you confirm the hinge an wire slack situations. P.S. an internet search will give you some good hinge ideas if you don't have.
I put a big rope on the center of the arch and then run it to the helm chair base and put a few wraps on that and slowly let it down on the old Hatteras arches.....it works really well......
The last one I did was on a 75' Hatteras MY and had a big masthead on it.....it was very heavy.....it took 4 people to push it back up. The rope allows you to let it down slowly and you can stop and tie it off if you have any issues with wiring or something hanging up......
i read your post as a question on whether its doable on your 406. i dont think the others who responded actually have carvers but i thought i would chime in. i actually have a carver 405 the same, just model year different which was actually hinged when built by carver, this was the only boat i found while we were researching and viewing that had one. we saw at least 10. i am owner #2 and the original owner had ordered it this way from them. its hinge pads are molded into the arch and a wider flatter section was incorporated into the arch in this area. i know its feasible to do, whether its a do it yourself thing or not?.. where i am docked its a must, do to varying water on the lake and the bridge i must get under. i dont have have to lay it down all the time but when needed its great. i had already been trying to figure if this could be done on this model before finding this boat which seem to say here i am when we found it was already hinged. i can say its heavier than i thought it might be but its sure a nice thing to have, very thick aluminum but will reduce the overall height to 12.5-13ft when folded over . i also cut my anchor light and modified it to where i can rotate it to the side to reduce height there, i have to do this to get in my covered slip the arch and bimini up are fine for that. best wishes
G36, I have the 2000 406 which is currently not fitted with a hinged arch. I will have to (at some point) remove my arch to tend to some "dissimilar metal bubbling" that exists. I'm very interested in where and how your hinged arch is set up. Would you happen to have any pictures of where the hinge point is and what the mounts look like? I am very curious. Seems like the having them installed when I remove the arch for sand and paint would make sense. Thanks in advance, Joe
i can take some better pics and post them so you can see where the cut and hinges are on the arch this is all i had right now.