radar

[mick54321]

Hi just fitting out my boat wondering if buying a radar is worthwhile, the boat is a sigma33 and hasnt had radar since its birth. Iam using the boat for cruising, welcome any opinions

 

[widgeon]

Radar was one of the first things that I fitted when I bought my HR31. Despite the many benefits of radar reflectors and AIS, I want to be as sure as I can be what is around me when the visibility drops - whether that is land or vessels that are not transmitting on AIS. Of course, there is no point in having a radar unless you have had some training in order to use it properly. You also need someone else onboard to, at least, keep a visual and aural lookout - effective use of radar in poor visibility needs continuous and close concentration.
I caveat my response by saying that it is based on my experience as a big-ship watch keeper. You mat take that as either a bias towards what I am sued to or inside knowledge on how little chance there is that a big ship will 'see' you in fog!

 

[graham]

It works the other way also.I am sometimes amazed how difficult it is to see a ship even one at anchor with deck lights on when you are looking towards the shore lights.If I struggle to see the ship then what chance of them seeing me?

 

[doug748]

Have ruled it out myself, on a similar boat to you. On grounds of electrical power consumption, cost, and bulk; but mainly, as a singlehander, I would simply not have the time to be looking at it. As Widgeon has pointed out a quick glance now and again is not good enough. I have fitted a Nasa AIS though, which I hope will not be to enigmatic - we shall see.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

It depends on whether you CHOOSE to sail at night and in fog. For coastal cruising radar is not essential but another of those many "fear factor" additions which load up your boat and wolf electrical power.
I sailed a sigma 33 for 12 years on the West Coast of Scotland without a single moment when I wished I had radar. That meant spending a few hours in harbour while the fog cleared and sailing defensively in traffic separation zones.
In the end its what YOU want on your boat and nobody can decide that but you.
Good sailing in the Sigma, excellent boat.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

It's often argued that for sailing relatively close to land Radar is more useful than GPS. It can be a very useful aid once you have learned (been trained) to use it properly. As posters above have noted it has its limitations - I'm not sure about the claim that it's no use to singlehanders but you will certainly need to be sure your batteries are up to the job if you fit radar. I used to work on boats equipped with radar and often find situations where I would like to have a set. I'm not sure where I would put it if I got one and I would definitely need to find a space for another battery.

I'd say go for it and go for the course as well.

 

[johnalison]

It depends on what cruising you do. Some people have suggested (which I've resisted) that no-one should be allowed to cross the Channel or North Sea without radar.

In summer sailing, radar is mostly likely to be used when under motor, so power should not be a problem.

Near land, radar can be difficult to use because of reflections . So, if you want to cross the seas, you will be better off and feel happier with radar. If your sailing is only coastal, you might wish to save the money.

No-one should set out in bad visibility just because they've got radar - but we've probably all done it at least once.

 

[beneteau_305_553]

I mainly sail singlehanded and have a Furuno 1623 radar and its better than any crew. The power consumption is only 4 amps .

Set the alarm zone and enjoy the sailing. (There may be another boat in front of the genoa! )

 

[cagey]

In 7 years only used radar to its potential only 3 times and on each time I would have paid double to have the security it gave.
With good sea sense radar is a valuable piece of kit.
Fog the nasty early morning without warning . confusing experience solved by radar
Navigation good as back up to position fixing.
Downside, at night screen destroys night viz, but then turn it and chartplotter off and rely on eyeball if you can.
Hardly used mine but am gratefull it is there.
I would buy again.
Keith

 

[boatmike]

No one can really answer that question for you. If it were me I would fit one if I was (for instance) intending to cross crowded traffic lanes for which it is an invaluable collision avoidance tool in any visibility. If I was coastal pottering in good vis, I would not think it worth while. Current drain is an issue when sailing, but not when motoring which you often are in fog. All in all your decision like many other things. BUT if you do fit one I would advise you do a short training course. It is very easy to misinterpret and this can give rise to classic "radar assisted collisions"

 

[DickB]

There are some very good deals about for the Raymarine C series radar and chartplotter. I was on a voyage and the radar was exceelent at night to see rain squalls. Invaluable! Also the chartplotter combination puts you on the map (via GPS) plus the the radar overlay. Brilliant.

 

[achwilan]

Short answer is yes (fog, night, busy lanes).
Useful complement to GPS too (some years ago, while getting out of Gironde with bad visibility, seeing our next waypoint just in the middle of the Banc de la Coubre breakers on the scope helped to detect an incomprehensible position shift of the GPS -temporary, it lasted for approx 2 hours- ... and avoided further problems!...).

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

[ QUOTE ]
In 7 years only used radar to its potential only 3 times and on each time I would have paid double to have the security it gave.

[/ QUOTE ]Can only but agree with Cagey.... sooner or later you will get caught out in fog, and its a real godsend when it happens.... especially if you happen to be crossing the main shipping route out of the Thames at the time.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[bendyone]

Yes, If I had to give up all my toys but one I would keep the Radar.

 

[Piers]

For me, the three most useful bits of kit are compass, depth sounder, and radar. Then folows the rest such as chart plotter etc.

 

[Searush]

I can understand the value for a MoBo or pilot-house sailboat, but in a cockpit sailed single-handed yacht I'm not sure how much help it would be. I liked the idea of the collision alarm, but I would have to go below to find out what the threat was & where it was coming from.

My 3 fave toys are auto-pilot (so I CAN go below), chartplotter for confirmation of eye-ball pilotage and depth sounder for anchoring in the depth I choose for the location & tide range I have (ie, do I want to dry out or stay afloat). I'm not sure a "mechanical" compass should be counted as a toy nowadays!

 

[boatmike]

I would always advocate installing the radar at the helm position if at all possible. This is even more important single handed. I appreciate it is not always easy to do especially on a small tiller steered yacht but the advent of waterproof LCD displays makes it easier. Going below to read it when you are single handed really makes things very difficult.

 

[PBooth]

My radar (Furuno 1715) display sits on a double swing-arm bracket, so it can swing right out into the companionway, or back inside against the bulkhead or anywhere between. the plotter shares the same mounting. It works fine, my boat is small, 25ft and I do a lot of single-handing.

 

[bendyone]

[ QUOTE ]
My radar (Furuno 1715) display sits on a double swing-arm bracket, so it can swing right out into the companionway, or back inside against the bulkhead or anywhere between. the plotter shares the same mounting. It works fine, my boat is small, 25ft and I do a lot of single-handing.

[/ QUOTE ]
Same with me, it swings out on the bracket and can be seen from the helm

 

[emnick]

Is there a recommended course for radar or a sea school that anybody can recommend, not just to tick an RYA box.
Just about to fit the radome (when I can get the mast down) and hoped to do a course with SWMBO.
Thanks