Radar: in or out?

[SvenglishTommy]

I'm about to install a new(old) SL72 radar in my new(old) boat and not sure if to install the screen at the chart table or in the cockpit.

I've not used radar much at all in the past, and to be honest never really missed it. Essentially I think I'll mainly be using it to set up guard zones for the alarm when sleeping single handed, so I guess for that inside would be better, but then again that makes it much less useful if I need it while out in the cockpit.

Would be interested to know where others put their radar screen.

 

[cliffdale]

I have just fitted a radar / plotter under the spray hood. Main reasons, it can be seen by the helm. I often sail on my own and I don't want to keep running below to have a look. When sailing, I'm always up top.
Cliff

 

[sailorman]

i fitted mine below, it can be seen from the cockpit.
i also have a very good autopilot & often single hand

 

[alan17]

Radar siting

Your prime use you say is for guard zones whilst sleeping. For this application I think at chart table makes sense.

Can you also see chart table from your helm? If answer is yes then chart table again makes sense. If no then is there another possible internal spot which is visible from helm and also audible from your berth?

 

[SvenglishTommy]

And how often do you use them?

My initial thoughts were under the sprayhood for the reasons Cliff mentioned, but if I only use it occasionally and as an alarm then maybe it's better down below.

 

[sailorman]

And how often do you use them?

My initial thoughts were under the sprayhood for the reasons Cliff mentioned, but if I only use it occasionally and as an alarm then maybe it's better down below.

Radar not all that ofter
it is the RL80C so the plotter can still be viewed from the cockpit.
i have no wish to sail a Games Console

 

[fireball]

Our radar screen is at the helm ... this isn't very handy as you cannot steer and operate the radar at the same time ... so autopilot goes on ... then you're hunched over the wheel trying to hold on and operate the kit ...

We have a chart plotter under the sprayhood - this is far better placed - especially for the skipper who may not be at the helm all the time ...

 

[snooks]

Would be interested to know where others put their radar screen.

Mine is in the cockpit, if my wife is sleeping and I'm on watch alone it's nice to see the radar and adjust the range/gain etc without having to go below I can also see it from the helm.

Sometimes reaching across the cockpit is too much (think beating when I'm to windward and it's to leeward) so I also have a wifi remote to zoom in and out...Smug? Moi?

 

[pvb]

Would be interested to know where others put their radar screen.

Mine's a combined radar/plotter and it's under the sprayhood. Very convenient, can be seen from the helm, ideal when single-handing.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Not sure the SL 72 is weatherproof let alone waterproof. The answer to that question may help you decide on it's location.

 

[pvb]

Not sure the SL 72 is weatherproof let alone waterproof. The answer to that question may help you decide on it's location.

If you'd bothered to look before posting, you'd have known that it's "waterproof to CFR46, suitable for external mounting", although Raymarine suggest putting it somewhere away from "prolonged and direct exposure to rain and salt spray".

 

[sailorman]

If you'd bothered to look before posting, you'd have known that it's "waterproof to CFR46, suitable for external mounting", although Raymarine suggest putting it somewhere away from "prolonged and direct exposure to rain and salt spray".

thats below then

 

[fireball]

I don't know if it's a different rating to the RL70 that we have - it's basically the same unit, but ours has chartplotter facility too ... and that's mounted in the binnacle ... without problem... other than convenience.

 

[sailorman]

I don't know if it's a different rating to the RL70 that we have - it's basically the same unit, but ours has chartplotter facility too ... and that's mounted in the binnacle ... without problem... other than convenience.

how do you view it with the AP steering & sitting for`ad of the wheel

 

[SvenglishTommy]

Yes it's perfectly waterproof, and as I have an Oceanquest the cockpit is half way up the mast anyway so the most salt water it's likely to get is from me crying

I think I'm gonna go with the insies. Most of the outsies seem to have a combined radar plotter, and my plotter is already out.

 

[Conachair]

Essentially I think I'll mainly be using it to set up guard zones for the alarm when sleeping single handed, so I guess for that inside would be better, but then again that makes it much less useful if I need it while out in the cockpit.

Would be interested to know where others put their radar screen.

I would definitely go for down below. That's where my sl72 is. Many reasons, solo offshore you'll probably find you spend a lot of time down below, that sun fries you and saps energy, saving energy is far up the scale of good things to do offshore solo. I can see mine from favorite cabin bunk and had gps track large on the screen so half awake I could see speed and if I was off course without having to move.
During the day the radar would be off and I would have a look usually every twenty minutes or less, but the ais would pick up the occasional ship before i would see it. Night the radar would go in with 1 mile to 5 mile guard zone, again usually the ais you go off first but nice to have both since it's there and you never know.. radar is great for picking up squalls at night as well.

Only one day in many years did i wish it was in the cockpit, fog down Portuguese coast. Rest of the time down below for sure

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I would definitely go for down below. That's where my sl72 is. Many reasons, solo offshore you'll probably find you spend a lot of time down below, that sun fries you and saps energy, saving energy is far up the scale of good things to do offshore solo. I can see mine from favorite cabin bunk and had gps track large on the screen so half awake I could see speed and if I was off course without having to move.
During the day the radar would be off and I would have a look usually every twenty minutes or less, but the ais would pick up the occasional ship before i would see it. Night the radar would go in with 1 mile to 5 mile guard zone, again usually the ais you go off first but nice to have both since it's there and you never know.. radar is great for picking up squalls at night as well.

Only one day in many years did i wish it was in the cockpit, fog down Portuguese coast. Rest of the time down below for sure

Thanks Conachair, this is exactly what I'm thinking of using the radar for. I dont intend on using it at all during the day, just as a backup to the AIS at night, particularly when semi-offshore where there might be fishing boats without AIS.

 

[Playtime]

Radar is most useful in limited visibility and in such a situation it is easier/safer to have the screen mounted where it is visible from the helm. It is then possible to see a close target on the screen before peering into the murk until you can confirm the target with the Mark 1 eyeball.

My SL72 is mounted below; if I had my time again I would mount it up top. Having got caught in the Chenal de Four a couple of years ago when a thick fog bank descended it was a real pain to be constantly dashing down to the chart table and then back up to the cockpit to see if I could see the target yacht/fishing boat/buoy as we flew along at 6+ knots. :

 

[maxi77]

I would suggest that in a busy situation if you have it at the chart table then you will spent too much time travelling between the helm and the radar to get enough benefit from it. The more time you spend in the cockpit the safer you potentially are

 

[Tintin]

I've found mine most useful in the cockpit, especially when in fog when the last think I want to be doing is going into the cockpit all the time.