Most of our arches are fabricated between late autumn and early spring, while boats are laid up or between seasons. This is when demand for this kind of work is highest. The projects that go best are usually planned ahead of that, in the summer or early autumn, so the design is settled and a workshop slot is booked before the busy months begin. The owners who plan ahead are usually the happiest ones. This guide explains how we plan an arch and what you can prepare.
Start with the stern
The starting point for every arch is the width of the stern. It sets the maximum beam we have to work with. Once we know it, we look at the position of the backstay and the length of the sugar scoop, because both affect where the arch can stand and how far it can reach.
Only then do we look at the solar panels. We tell you the maximum capacity the arch can carry, meaning the largest size and number of panels that fit, and then ask what capacity you would like. Panel size still matters for the shape of the arch, but the beam and the set-up at the stern decide how many panels fit and how big they can be. Our guide to choosing marine solar panels covers the main panel types and how to size a system.
Decide what else the arch should carry
Most arches do more than hold panels. Dinghy davits are the most common feature, and for many owners they are a must. Other common additions are mounts for navigation equipment, a liferaft cradle, extra guardrails, integrated seating and fishing rod holders. We can add almost anything you need. Each feature adds to the cost of the arch, so it helps to list what you want now and what you might add in a few years.
Free standing or joined to the pushpit
An important choice is whether the arch stands on its own or is joined to the existing pushpit. Joining them has several effects.
- Strength. The arch is more rigid and gains extra attachment points. We usually reuse the pushpit's original fixing points, so fewer new holes are drilled in the deck.
- Shipping. An arch joined to the pushpit cannot be fully fabricated without the pushpit itself, so it is harder to ship as a finished piece.
- Cost. It is a fairly complex job and costs more.
If you want the best possible result, joining the arch to the pushpit is the way to do it. You gain strength, neatness and fewer holes, and the only real drawback is the cost.
What to send us
Our measurements template shows which dimensions we need and how to take them. Along with it, please send:
- the boat make, model and length
- where the boat is kept
- two or three photos of the stern, taken from behind and from each side
- the panels you have or want
- anything already fitted to the stern, such as a radar post, davits or a swim ladder
- an idea of your budget
All our designs and additional features have set prices. They change only when a boat has unusual shapes or conditions we need to design around. We often offer a choice between a simpler, straightforward design and a neater, more complex one at a higher price. Knowing your budget helps us suggest the right one.
You can send everything through our contact form or as photos on WhatsApp.
How long it takes
Once you have signed off the design, a bespoke arch is typically fitted within 4–6 weeks. The exact time depends on how quickly we have all the details, our workload, the complexity of the design, and the weather on installation days. In the busy winter months a slot booked early makes the biggest difference.
Where the work is done
We ask clients to bring the boat to a marina within a 25-mile drive of Hayling Island, where our workshop is. Early in 2026 we fitted a Valkiry arch on a Wauquiez 47 Pilot Saloon at MDL Sparkes Marina on Hayling Island, where the arch could be lifted straight from the truck onto the boat. The owner sailed over from the Netherlands for the installation.
When that is not possible, there are other ways:
- We can travel to install the arch, at an additional cost.
- The Modular Solar Arch is a stainless steel kit that we cut to your measurements and ship in one box. Fitting it needs only DIY skills.
- For overseas clients we offer semi-assembled arches, shipped to your address and fitted by a local fabricator.
Some of our custom designs can also be installed by the owner. Whether that works depends on how much data we have about the boat and on the transport conditions.
The guarantee
Every arch comes with a 12-month guarantee on fabrication and workmanship. If something is not right in that time, contact us and we will put it right.
Next step
If you are thinking about an arch for next season, send us your boat details, the measurements and a few photos of the stern. We will reply with design options and a price, and you can see more finished arches in our portfolio.