Radar on a 26ft Yacht

[benemly]

From a saefty point of view I am keen to have Radar on board, especially if crossing the channel, however I was told the boat was too small and having a dome on the mast would be a bad idea and that it wasnt really needed. Do people agree?

Also has anyone mounted a display just inside the companionway so it can be seen ftom the cockpit

 

[neale]

I don't think 26 ft is too small. If you are crossing the channel I think it's a wise move. If the weight up the mast is a problem the radome could be mounted elsewhere.

 

[tony_brighton]

try a pole mounted at the stern

 

[ccscott49]

a small radar, will have a very light radome, so shouldn't be a problem aloft, a very good extra for cross channel work, IMHO. Shop around for the lightest one.

 

[mainshiptom]

I do not know what boat you have ?

Would you have enough power ? I dont think size matters But maybe Paulineb would disagree ?

Tom

 

[tillergirl]

A chum got a 26' Mytere last year and had acquired a radar for next to nothing so put it on his mast. Cruised in company across the channel with him last year and it worked fine and did not seem to upset the balance of the boat - not though we had bad winds. I thought it would be a bit heavy up the mast but it doesn't seem so - albeit that the Mystere has a good deep fin and appears a well balanced boat to start with. It's not the modern modern of radar - seen bigger and seen smaller.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Display mounting

I made a hinged box and mounted the display into the lid. Screwed the box to the vertical bulkhead just inside the cabin.
With the box opened, the display is visible from the cockpit.

 

[PeterGibbs]

As with so many issues aired on this board the concerns are rather overdone.

Radar - great, essential, go for it. My advice - mount the dome just above the cross trees - the weight argument is without foundation for the uses you have in mind. You can get a bracket and mount it yourself - I did, twice, and it works fine.

The screen - don't bury it facing sideways in the cabin. If you can't get close to it from the cockpit you've not mounted it right. I have a mounting that I place over the hatchway , facing into the cockpit, when I want radar on, so I can play the ranges and bearing lines and control boat direction - the only way to co-ordinate and get best results when at sea, rather than in the classroom!

PWG