radar and steel hull

[gtuson]

Does anyone know if our (36ft) steel hull is the best radar reflector we have - or does something appropriate up the mast add usefully extra reflectivity?

 

[lenseman]

As your boat is steel, it is a very good radar reflector but you must bare two facts in mind

1) The shape of the hull is not the best for returning the maximum echo to the radar receiving antenna.

2) Your hull is on the water and as such can be obscured by sea clutter ( the height of the swell )

Best not to rely totally on a steel hull and purchase a radar rerflector and mount as high as feasable /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

In most circumstances Your steel ship will give a "Bounce" but lenseman is correct.

 

[Gumpy]

I was crossing the channel on a 65ft steel barge a couple of years ago and the owner found to his surprise that we were invisible to radar. I cant remember who we asked I think it was one of the coast stations.

So now on my barge when doing coastal passages I have a radar reflector hoisted as high as the mast will allow.


J

 

[webcraft]

Friends with a 38ft steel Wylo recently asked a ship to check their radar return and were surprised to be told they were invisible. They have one of those thin tube readar reflectors mounted on a shroud. Recent reports seem to indicate these are pretty useless.

We asked a passing ship to check our signature a few days ago and they reported it as being clear and significant. We are a 27ft GRP boat with a Blipper mounted just above the crosstrees.

- Nick