new radar setup self install ?

T

tsekul

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Hi all,

We are thinking of investing in a new Radar, probably a raymarine E series and were going to include an ais system. Question is how easy is it to install the cable through the mast...it looks like a nightmare. how do you avoid all the halyards vhf cables etc etc :confused: and get it out the hole where the old one was routed...................:ambivalence:

We are intending a channel crossing in the summer so would be happier with some thing to ease peace of mind

Is this a do it yourself job or is it better to get it fitted and set up by a professional

I am even contemplating having it on a post attached to the stern as the previous owner removed it as it disrupted the airflow when racing, (along with the topping lift and lazyjacks)

We have a JRC 1500 mk2 that came with the boat but has been removed and the cables cut at the mast step so we would need new cabling, have tried to get the cables but there are no longer available, even if I get the cables there no guarantee the thing will work anyway. Hence going the new route.

Thanks in advance
T
 
It's a relatively easy job for anyone with a few DIY skills. I fitted my Raymarine C120 radar/plotter myself. Much of the labour time involved is in routing the cables through the boat, behind/under trim. I opted for a stern pole (ScanStrut) because it made the installation so much easier, and I can access the scanner easily if I need to. A stern pole gives plenty of range, and has an added benefit of reduced wave clutter compared with a mast-mount.

If you decide to fit it on the mast yourself, you should certainly try to use the old JRC cable to pull a mouse line through to help you with the new cable.
 
The cable has been completely removed so just a hole there.
I am warming to a stern strut as there is shorter cabling runs and less chance of interference...I think.

Its a lot of money so could take it with us If we move on.
 
After much deliberation i had a pole made to go on the aft end. the main reason was when the mast is struck there is much more wiring to remove & scanner getting damaged / stolen. I still have sufficient range of 10 miles in calm conditions for a box boat. That is too far away to even be concerned about as visually i cant even see it.
 
When we self-installed our radar we used a ladder on the mast. climbed up it and dangled a screw or nut (can't remember which) down the hole tied onto Marlow whipping twine. When it reached the bottom we poked around with a bit of bent wire to find the twine and pull out thru the exit hole. The cable can then be pulled through using the twine as a mouse.

Not difficult.
 
with a strut coming in at about £850 and a mount for the mast £300 might be erring towards a mast mount :p

might be able to use the old mount but doubt it. More thought required on this........
 
I installed my radar quite a few years ago. As it was under a third up the mast I used trunking (painted matt black to match mast) on the mast for the cable. Most time consuming bit was sorting out route for cable through cabin, etc and the siting of the display. Once fitted the radar (Furuno 1623) was turn on and use.
 
We put in a Simrad 3G. Our experience is the same as many others posting. Once the cabling is in its plug and play, worked first time. The cabling is longer than you think, so measure carefully. Routeing the cabling tends to be a two person job - but it just needs lots of patience. We too used a ladder tied to the first spreaders and installed the scanner just above the spreaders. There should be mouse lines in the mast which you ought to be able to find at the mast base (though the other end will inevitably be at the mast head). If no mouse line you could disconnect something, assuming you have a steaming light at mid mast and/or mast head lights, and use that cable as your mouse, disconnect it, pull up 2 mouse lines, use one to pull the original cable down and catch the other through the hole in the mast where the old cable was located. If you install a pylon on the transom you will need to put in some hefty reinforcing, glassed marine ply, best a nice big piece of beefy stainless. The mast location will be cheaper, will keep the radar out of the way but is more fiddly to instal (but not difficult) and a nuisance if you take the mast out.

Forget about taking the system with you when you sell the boat - by the time you want to sell the boat technology will have moved so far your radar will look like a valve driven radio does now:)

The ladder on the mast is almost essential. You will be up and down innumerable times and no-one is going to lift you up and down that often.

Try to have the radar junction box as near the mast as possible as if you do need to take the mast out it then means you will not have a long radar run to contend with.

I assume that if you are considering Raymarine radar that you already have a Raymarine system. You will find it very difficult to interface another supplier's instruments with Raymarine, and vice versa, - so whatever you choose will dictate whatever else you want to buy in the future. Basically buy Raymarine if you have or want Raymarine wind, and autopilot etc etc. Forget NMEA compatibility - its still a dream, you will be able to display data, say from Garmin but the Raymarine system might not be able to use that data to make calculations.

Jonathan
 
Yes - gulp, having invested all that money you really need to look at the complete system (in the future) as the radar effectively determines which autopilot etc you will need. Seems daft - but until all the various supplliers can arrange that their units will speak to each other intelligently (and not blame each other when they do not) things have not progressed.

But you do not need a professional, you could train monkeys to most of it - and professionals will charge the same rate to connect up power as to spend the day feeding cables - and you can do both.

Jonathan
 
simonfraser said:
My vote would be for a rear mounted post, easier to get at
Click to expand...

I've never had a post, but I used to have a mizzen mast stepped well aft. I imagine the post will work just as well as the mast did as a comfy leaning place, and something to hold onto while having a pee :)

Pete
 
In terms of height the idea that having the scanner up the mast allows one to 'see' further is true (I think) but on a yacht making 5-7 knots the lower resolution provided by the lower post would make little difference - you will still have more than enough time to react to any target.

Jonathan
 
Next Question. Is there anything special about a scan strut post or can you just get one made. I imagine an aly tube and feet would not come to The £850 they are asking ?

Has anyone done this themselves ?
 
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