2nd Radar Reflector

[WayneS]

I currently have one of those cylinder type reflectors (Bigger model dia approx 4") that is attached to our backstay, about 10' above the water.

As I am about to venture across the channel, I am considering getting one of those "Catch Rain" reflectors which I can hoist to the spreaders.

Should I remove the cylinder type? I'm sure that I have read somewhere that you could end up cancelling reflections.

Secondly, when crossing the shipping lanes, would it be advisable to move it to the side from which shipping is expected to get it out of the alu mast shadow?

Cheers

Wayne


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[Talbot]

No problem having both there. Moving it to the correct side for the traffic separation scheme might have some merit if you are crossing at 90 degree, but suspect that your actual angle to the traffic might well provide quite a lot of angle reflection anyway.

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[Evadne]

I'd leave it up. In theory two (omnidirectional) sources will act like an array, their interference pattern tending to direct the signal at right angles to a line drawn between them (a dipole). But the signal from a reflector seen by the ship should be highly directional so two reflectors should not interfere with each other any more than two boats in close proximity would.

I use one of the octahedral ones, usually hoisted between and lashed to the backstays as high as it will go. I have seen them hoisted on a single backstay by means of a bit of plastic pipe along one edge and around the stay, where this doesn't interfere with the mainsail, though this isn't actually the correct orientation, and you'll need a second bit of string to stop it swinging around. Mine is a folding one, which makes it easy to stow when not needed.

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[bruce]

just wondering about your 4" cyl reflector, does it work as well as it should mounted at the back stay angle. i don't know, just wondering...

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[WayneS]

All that I can tell you is that I have not been run down in the Solent yet.... I have no idea how well it works.

I did have it on my last boat where it was up one of the shrouds on the gunter rig, so about the same angle off vertical. Crossing Lyme bay I asked a coaster if he had seem me on Radar and he confirmed that I was visible from al least 5M (Flat conditions with no other boats around though)

I think that Solent CG should offer a "SG, SG, SG, This is yacht xyz. My pos is ...... Radar check please. Over".

What do you think.....

W


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[WayneS]

Thanks guys.

Yet another thing to buy this w/e

Cheers

Wayne


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[Evadne]

If he wasn't at right angles to your boom, then it was the reflector. Down off lands End this spring in a big boat I was on the bridge one time and a boat, 2 miles away, was invisible. As we drew abeam and got a big reflection from his mainsail his reflection improved dramatically. This was quite a big wooden gaff-rigged boat as well, about 40'. By contrast a smaller boat, motoring and end-on, was visible (though not bright) at 3-4 miles. Fishing boats showed up best, lots of angular bits of steel to reflect from.

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[Oldhand]

<<Mine is a folding one, which makes it easy to stow when not needed.>>

The new rules dictate it is always needed, yes?

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[Tomsk]

I'm sure the new rules just state that all vessels must carry one, though I would leave mine permanently rigged up...

<hr width=100% size=1>Tomsk -

Can I leave the planet please.. this one is broken!

 

[Oldhand]

Don't think so, without looking it up the wording is something like "a radar reflector must be installed if practical to do so". I don't think "installed" means shoved in a locker.

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[escape]

Can you tell me which/who's rules state it must be permanently rigged please ?
As an aside I found it fascinating to read the MAIB report on the speed boat that sank in Loch Ryan recently.
Virtually all the radar recordings reviewed from ships had picked up the tip of the bow of the semi- submerged boat which was a grp Glastron type. Only about 2' was above sea level and it was a moderate sea.

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[sailorman]

why not go "the whole hog" & buy a steel boat

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[Oldhand]

SOLAS V for pleasure boats is what we should all be aware of and comply with, it includes the fitting of radar reflectors.

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf

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