What radar reflector for a mobo

Chamaerops

Chamaerops

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I have expressed an interest on the motorboatowner mag cruise in company event cross channel in June. There is a list of required equipment on the booking form that includes a radar reflector. However, I have tried googling info and i'm uncertain which type I would need.
Would it interfer with my radar if mounted on the roof? Is a side rail sufficient as a mounting point? Does using my radar generate a signal on others radar and therefore not needing a reflector? What is available?
The photo shows our boat and I would be grateful for any advice.
 

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Unless it's active (ie powered) then they are all but useless. Your engine is going to give a better ping than a rail or roof mounted passive reflector.

I'd question the organisers - no doubt they have lifted their requirement from a very old handed down list.

If they are going to insist on things, why not AIS which is much more useful.
 
All small boats at sea should really have a radar reflector.
You should have a radar reflector mounted as high as possible.
The tubular passive reflectors are reported to perform poorly. But if you have one fitted you will be complying with the rules.

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Chamaerops said:
Would it interfer with my radar if mounted on the roof? Is a side rail sufficient as a mounting point? Does using my radar generate a signal on others radar and therefore not needing a reflector? What is available?
Click to expand...
Following the same order:
Nope. But I'd rather not put it right in front of the radome anyway.
It might be ok, but the higher the better.
No, it doesn't.
All sort of stuff, both active and passive, but as already mentioned, the latter are pretty close to useless - aside from possibly complying with some rules, if that's your concern.
 
I had the same issue when joining a cruise to the Channel Islands last year.

Went for a tri-lens mounted to the side of the Radar.

As others have said, I'm not sure how effective it is but fitted it as it was a requirement for the cruise and it's far sturdier than some of the tube type ones which don't seem very robust. Didn't go for an active type as I've an AIS transponder fitted
 
Whitelighter said:
Unless it's active (ie powered) then they are all but useless. Your engine is going to give a better ping than a rail or roof mounted passive reflector.

I'd question the organisers - no doubt they have lifted their requirement from a very old handed down list.

If they are going to insist on things, why not AIS which is much more useful.
Click to expand...

The tube types are fairly useless but the triball and the blipper are quite effective.

The active ones are much better when the work as long as you have the latest ones that are dual band.

The regs insist you have a radar reflector if it's practical. AIS is no replacement. It's useless in the solent now.
 
We have one of these for cross channel trips. Its obviously passive, but a lot better than the upright column reflectors which in any case fall over or bend when you get to planing speed.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREM-Rada...UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item3a9ea8d78e

Do note that as in all photos of this type of reflector, it is shown the wrong way up. It should be mounted in "rain catcher" mode, not pointy side up.
 
The SOLAS regulations for pleasure boats under 150T only require you to have a 'safety signals' table available on board. That is, amazingly, the only regulation that we 'have' to abide by to go to sea. We are luckier than most countries......

They also state that "if practicable" a radar reflector must be fitted. It would be difficult to convince a court that it was not practicable to fit one on any reasonable sized mobo. It would of course be impractical on a rubber dinghy..... but not a RIB with an arch. It's common sense really.... which sadly is not always that common!
 
RIN said:
We have one of these for cross channel trips. Its obviously passive, but a lot better than the upright column reflectors which in any case fall over or bend when you get to planing speed.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREM-Rada...UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item3a9ea8d78e

Do note that as in all photos of this type of reflector, it is shown the wrong way up. It should be mounted in "rain catcher" mode, not pointy side up.
Click to expand...

Wonder why they don't have a hole in the middle to let the water through?
 
Elessar said:
The tube types are fairly useless but the triball and the blipper are quite effective.

The active ones are much better when the work as long as you have the latest ones that are dual band.

The regs insist you have a radar reflector if it's practical. AIS is no replacement. It's useless in the solent now.
Click to expand...

But this is being bought specifically for cross channel where AIS will be much more useful since it's big ships you want to avoid
 
Google radar reflector review.

The ones in a clear plastic tube are about as good as a bit of wet string.

The MAIB had an extensive test undertaken , Google QuintiQ radar reflector.

I have an Echomax Active, which boosts and re transmits a signal received, the other of this type are See Me. these seem to give far better results.
 
I wonder how big the boat needs to be before a radar reflector is considered unnecessary?

I've never seen the need for one, most seem pretty useless. If a radar can't pick up an echo from all the metal I've got on board, especially the flybridge dinghy crane, outboard engine, bbq, rails etc then I suspect the radar won't be working properly. It would be interesting to do a test, but it's hardly top priority for me.
 
I currently don't have a radar reflector and have been looking to buy and fit one for several years now.
Space to fit one is the main issue, and one advantage of the active reflectors is that they are also smaller, so easier to find a space for.
However having read previous threads on here on this subject, and thought it through some more I have come to the conclusion that AIS transponder is a better way to go.
About the same cost as active RR, but gives big ships precise information about you: contact details, speed, COG etc.

Whereas active RR just shows a huge blip on the radar, then they look out of their bridge and see just a small boat and think "It can't be that it's too small" and it could cause confusion in some circumstances.

It's the difference between following the letter of the law (RR and active RR) and the spirit of it (AIS transponder).
I believe on balance, for about the same money AIS is the way to go.

Edit: I'm still looking for an AIS transponder at a justifiable price. They're still coming down, McMurdo Smartfind M10 now less than £450.
I would prefer £350 but may be tempted for this season
 
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