Does one really need Radar AND AIS

[jb2006]

Both are great tools but as already said you don't need either.

Last boat had AIS receiver - we used it all the time. New boat has radar but not AIS (yet!) - we have never used it in anger.
We bought radar for navigation and safety assistance in fog but in busy areas like the solent and crossing the channel AIS is probably more use and uses much less power

 

[maxi77]

AIS on tinternet

http://www.shipais.com/index.php

 

[webcraft]

As you have a 36 footer - with probably a good battery bank - then I would fit radar if I could afford it. AIS is dirt cheap anyway, so if you can afford radar you can probably afford that as well.

We can't afford radar and anyway there isn't really room on a 27ft boat. However, nothing would induce me to cross Biscay again or sail down the fog-prone Portuguese coast without AIS. It does a different job for sure, but it is better than no radar by a long way - at least the vessels you don't see are going to be reasonably small and manoeverable.

On the other hand - in Scotland I see no need for either. Where are you planning to sail?

- W