Center Windshield Wiper and Washers
 
Let's jump back to the front of the boat and mention the forward center window wiper we installed. Given that it rains a fair amount, that wind blows the bow spray back over the boat, and that there is a lot of debris in the water forward visibility is important (to say the least). We matched the AFI geared wiper motor that is standard (on the starboard side) in the boat and installed the new one above the center window (it's housed within the overhead console inside). We use a parallelogram wiper arm to maximize the area cleared by the wiper blade. It works a treat. [The silver gizmo above the wiper is the horn.]
Next up in the pursuit of forward visibility is the windshield washer system. Seeing as how that's a standard item on every automobile it's odd that it isn't more common on boats. Finally AFI (the wiper motor people) are putting out an inexpensive kit to add a washer system to boats. It consists of a 3-liter reservoir with a built-in 12-volt pump, clear tubing to get the washer fluid from the reservoir to the sprayers, a couple of fittings that are installed through the front of the boat above the windshield, sprayer fittings for the wiper arms, and some tubing to connect the fittings to the sprayers. The end result is shown here. You push a button on the dash, the washer fluid (we use water) sprays on the windshield, the wiper cleans it off, and voila! What could be easier? Or nicer when there's a layer of salt on the glass.
Radar Mast
The Rosborough RF-246 has a decidedly "workboat" look to it (hopefully in a good way to your eye). We decided to design a mast that kept that character but with a bit of refinement. Since this is a trailerable boat we also wanted a design that would permit easy lowering for that purpose. In addition to the radome we also needed to accommodate the GPS sensor (on the port wing), a satellite radio antenna (on the starboard wing), the VHF antenna (on the stainless mast), and the white all-round light (also on the stainless mast) used as part of the navigation lights and for anchoring. The following photo shows what we ended up with. The mast is white powder-coated aluminum and all the hardware stainless.
The main plate is bolted to the cabin top; it has hinge points welded on its forward end and the mast with its mounting plate with opposing hinges is mated to the main plate. There are two stainless hold-down bolts which protrude upward through the mast plate and knurled hand-knobs are threaded on the bolts to hold the mast in place (well, gravity does it for the most part; the knurled knobs are there to keep the mast from bouncing really). Just at the forward end of the cabin top in this photo you can see a "U" shaped cradle installed for trailering. Standing on the top of the trunk cabin (over the forward v-berth area) one can reach the knurled knobs, spin them off, hinge the mast forward (it isn't particularly heavy), and place it in the cradle all without having to climb onto the cabin top. Strap the mast to the cradle and you're ready to trailer.

The height of the mast was determined by several factors; the primary being clearance for the typical inflatable dinghy. In addition the mast needs to mount where it doesn't interfere with interior components and so that it misses the forward edge of the cabin top visor when folded forward for trailering (or clearance on a boat house or storage rack).
 
E.Q. Harbor Service & Sales
265 Cornet Bay Road
Oak Harbor, WA  98277
www.eqmarine.com
(866) 679-4783