Aquarius Sail Owners

I am in need of some cross beams for a SC20. Where do I go about finding such things? Do I have to buy them new? Is there a used market out there for these boats? Thanks!!

I do have a set that are in ok condition but I live in Hawaii. I would put one piece 4" beams in like I did. Just use a piece of PVC on the one side to bring it up to 4.5". Look at my pics.

The only problem would be that you would have to upgrade to the new dolphin striker system or use the original and have the end caps machined to fit the 4" beams.

It's not too hard to find 4" tube 1/8" beams. It might be a little difficult to get them anodized. Where do you live?

I live in Vermont, I think I should be able to get the beams anodized. I think I am going to go the same route you did, time to start acquiring parts! My only real question is the design for the dolphin striker with the strap and end caps as well. Thanks for your help!

First of all the overall length of the beams is 141.5". The index pins are located 139.75" center to center.

The first thing I did was locate the center which is easy enough. Then I drew a line around the beam in the center using a piece of paper with one edge lined up and overlapped, so I knew it was perpendicular. I used this line to as a reference location point which I based take other measurements from. The dolphin striker leans aft 5 degrees. So I took 5/360 and multiplied it by the circumference of the beam. This gave me the radial measurements I needed. It's important to use one reference point/line to make your other measurements from.

I used a very sensitive level which I balanced across the beam to figure out where the top of the beam was at each end. I marked it and then took a chalk line and marked the length of the beam to get a reference line along the beam and made it permanent with a black marker. I think a more precise and easier method would be to just look at the beam and you will see extrusion lines from it's manufacture. If you follow that line all the way to each end it will probably give you a more accurate line. I used this line to make my radial measurements from.

The hardest part for me was getting the location of the holes for the ends of the dolphin strap bolts. There are two on either end to attach them to the beam. I got approximate dimensions from Tom but for some reason they were off, so I had to adjust them. Start out with drilling only one hole on each end so that if you don't get the dimension correct initially the other hole will line up when you finished.

I made a wooden mount for the beam and used my mill to bore the holes. Basically I took a 2x8 piece of wood and using a 4" hole saw to drill a hole in the middle. Then I cut the wood down the center so I had two cradles to hold the beam. I clamped the beams down in the cradles on my mill bed. DO not cut any holes until you have you all the locations marked, especially the center hole because at that point you lose your reference.

I initially used a hole saw to drill out the dolphin striker bushing but that was a mistake. It oversized the hole slightly and is not as accurate as using a boring bar. If you don't have an accurate method for drilling out the large holes I would center punch all the locations and have a machine shop drill the holes.

I used a 3/8" piece of aluminum pipe with an outer diameter of that equaled the inner diameter of the 4" beams to use a backing plate. I ordered all of my metal online.

As for the end caps, I bought some 4 inch plastic rod off of eBay and using my lathe I made some new end caps.

Does that help?

wow! Thanks, super helpful! I guess my only last question is, what are the dimensions of the dolphin striker. What type of tubing did you use and what did you use for the mast foot mount? Thanks!

I think the best thing to do is order a new one from Aquarius.

Kevin

Perfect! Will give them a call. Thanks for all of your help!!!