Do you have radar? Do you wish you did? If you do, have you learned to use it properly? Does your set meet your expectations, or is it still a less-than-useful mystery to you? If you have a boat too small for conventional radar, do you wish you had a device with radar's capabilities, but in a package that would fit your boat? Share your vision of radar here, then vote in the week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Radar or Chart Plotter w/GPS?
Its a good question. I have a H37 with neither Radar or Chartplotter. I initially was thinking on purchasing radar for the boat but had a chance to sail on a friends Saga 43' where he has all three tied into the same display. It appeared to me that the Chartplotter & GPS combo would be more usefull to me for navagation purposes than Radar. I sail mostly in Narragansett Bay, RI and the rest of New England where I feel it is more important for me to know where I am than who else is out there. I don't know is my thinking faulty?
Its a good question. I have a H37 with neither Radar or Chartplotter. I initially was thinking on purchasing radar for the boat but had a chance to sail on a friends Saga 43' where he has all three tied into the same display. It appeared to me that the Chartplotter & GPS combo would be more usefull to me for navagation purposes than Radar. I sail mostly in Narragansett Bay, RI and the rest of New England where I feel it is more important for me to know where I am than who else is out there. I don't know is my thinking faulty?
I like it!
Never had radar before, but this boat has it and I think it's great. I'm still in the learning stage, but it has come in pretty handy in a couple of foggy crossings from Block Island back to the mainland. I have the Raytheon RL70 combo GPS plotter/radar. You can split the screen and have half chartplotter and half radar. It's pretty good. It's nice to know who's around you and how close they are when you are in "pea soup" fog.
Never had radar before, but this boat has it and I think it's great. I'm still in the learning stage, but it has come in pretty handy in a couple of foggy crossings from Block Island back to the mainland. I have the Raytheon RL70 combo GPS plotter/radar. You can split the screen and have half chartplotter and half radar. It's pretty good. It's nice to know who's around you and how close they are when you are in "pea soup" fog.
Radar - Big YES
This is the 3rd boat that I have had radar. I will admit that I use the radar seldom. BUT, to track thunder storms, night boating and of course in low visibility - fog, it's great. Once you have it and learn how to use it, you will appreciate the tool. Just as many of us don't look at the depth meter all the time, it's nice to have when your concern. Boating can be compared to flying. If you are a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) pilot you don't need it, but if you are a IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) pilot and want to be able to go from point A to point B on any given date in the future (almost regardless of weather) you need the equipment and the knowledge to use it. My current boat has the Raytheon Radar/Chart/DGPS at the Helm and at the Nav. station through a high speed buss. Antenna is mounted on a pole on the aft starboard section with the ability to tilt as need based upon boat heel. This is the best set up I have had.
This is the 3rd boat that I have had radar. I will admit that I use the radar seldom. BUT, to track thunder storms, night boating and of course in low visibility - fog, it's great. Once you have it and learn how to use it, you will appreciate the tool. Just as many of us don't look at the depth meter all the time, it's nice to have when your concern. Boating can be compared to flying. If you are a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) pilot you don't need it, but if you are a IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) pilot and want to be able to go from point A to point B on any given date in the future (almost regardless of weather) you need the equipment and the knowledge to use it. My current boat has the Raytheon Radar/Chart/DGPS at the Helm and at the Nav. station through a high speed buss. Antenna is mounted on a pole on the aft starboard section with the ability to tilt as need based upon boat heel. This is the best set up I have had.
Maybe
have a radar on my 33 - honestly don't use it that much, although it would be useful in fog or if I suspected traffic I couldn't see. For navigation, you have to know where you are pretty much in order to make sense out of the radar images - I spent several years in the Air Force looking at radar screens, and it is very easy to convince yourself you are seeing something that really is not there. I think that if you have a real need for radar, then you should get a chartplotter/gps/radar combo with a moving target feature, so that you will know where you are and can more easily pick out other moving traffic. Without lots of practice/experience, a radar is not as useful as you might think, and might actually be distracting/dangerous if you truly need it and haven't practiced with it.
have a radar on my 33 - honestly don't use it that much, although it would be useful in fog or if I suspected traffic I couldn't see. For navigation, you have to know where you are pretty much in order to make sense out of the radar images - I spent several years in the Air Force looking at radar screens, and it is very easy to convince yourself you are seeing something that really is not there. I think that if you have a real need for radar, then you should get a chartplotter/gps/radar combo with a moving target feature, so that you will know where you are and can more easily pick out other moving traffic. Without lots of practice/experience, a radar is not as useful as you might think, and might actually be distracting/dangerous if you truly need it and haven't practiced with it.
FOG and FREIGHTERS = YES!!!
We finally got radar after several scary trips thru the shipping lanes of Los Angeles harbor in dense fog. The GPS finds the entrance great but it does not tell you if a freighter has also found the entrance at the same time. If you have ever heard the engines of a freighter but can not see it up close you will buy RADAR before the next trip. All in one units - radar, chartplotter and GPS, are great until the unit fails and then all 3 fail. I prefer seperate units so that I still have a GPS or radar still working (unless I lose power to everything (but my handheld GPS still works!!! (and my handheld VHF radio). Never hurts to cover your 'you know what'.
We finally got radar after several scary trips thru the shipping lanes of Los Angeles harbor in dense fog. The GPS finds the entrance great but it does not tell you if a freighter has also found the entrance at the same time. If you have ever heard the engines of a freighter but can not see it up close you will buy RADAR before the next trip. All in one units - radar, chartplotter and GPS, are great until the unit fails and then all 3 fail. I prefer seperate units so that I still have a GPS or radar still working (unless I lose power to everything (but my handheld GPS still works!!! (and my handheld VHF radio). Never hurts to cover your 'you know what'.
Who Uses Radar
Lots of boats have radar, but how many use it. Certainly radar is indispensible for sailing in the fog or at night, but have many boats do? Are there other reasons that I am missing.
Lots of boats have radar, but how many use it. Certainly radar is indispensible for sailing in the fog or at night, but have many boats do? Are there other reasons that I am missing.
Radar's Good Karma
Of course I have sailed in SoCal for decades with only a hand bearing compass and charts. Still, particularly when you are keeping a schedule, you find youself in traffic lanes with fast cargo ships flagged from everywhere, with crews good and bad and everyone running slim as can be and in limited to zero visibility. Jim's comments about lots of practice are well taken. But, Murray's angst with shipping was my primary motivator and I'm glad I did it. My simple Furuno LCD was easier to use than the more sophisticated CRT I now have and I miss the tracking option. Even in daylight, I appreciate and use it for plotting relative positions. The major impediment to me for years was the complexity of mounting the transmitter. Both boats had them pole mounted on the stern and I'm satisfied with the accessability of that choice. Rick D.
Of course I have sailed in SoCal for decades with only a hand bearing compass and charts. Still, particularly when you are keeping a schedule, you find youself in traffic lanes with fast cargo ships flagged from everywhere, with crews good and bad and everyone running slim as can be and in limited to zero visibility. Jim's comments about lots of practice are well taken. But, Murray's angst with shipping was my primary motivator and I'm glad I did it. My simple Furuno LCD was easier to use than the more sophisticated CRT I now have and I miss the tracking option. Even in daylight, I appreciate and use it for plotting relative positions. The major impediment to me for years was the complexity of mounting the transmitter. Both boats had them pole mounted on the stern and I'm satisfied with the accessability of that choice. Rick D.
Question to all...
...Does anyone know a good book on learning to use/tune your radar? The manuals that came with mine seem somewhat vague. I know I can probably get more out of my Raytheon than I currently do. I use it when necessary and occasionally try to use it in clear weather in order to better understand it. Thanks in advance.
...Does anyone know a good book on learning to use/tune your radar? The manuals that came with mine seem somewhat vague. I know I can probably get more out of my Raytheon than I currently do. I use it when necessary and occasionally try to use it in clear weather in order to better understand it. Thanks in advance.
Need it to get home
Without Radar I would have been stuck on Nantucket for an extra 3 days this Labor Day. GPS/Chartplotter is great for navagation in the fog, but radar will ensure you don't hit the ferry heading to the Vineyard. I don't want to be one of the boats call in their lat/lon over channel 16 asking if anyone else is near by. Not worth the risk. Russell S/V Allie Kat
Without Radar I would have been stuck on Nantucket for an extra 3 days this Labor Day. GPS/Chartplotter is great for navagation in the fog, but radar will ensure you don't hit the ferry heading to the Vineyard. I don't want to be one of the boats call in their lat/lon over channel 16 asking if anyone else is near by. Not worth the risk. Russell S/V Allie Kat
Like Insurance....
Nice thing to have, but don't look forward to the circumstances in which I'll really need to use it. Not at all comfortable trying to read the screen, usually sailing short-handed and out of the paths of freighters/tankers, I opt to use other hardware and senses to keep me out of harm's way in reduced visibility. In the meantime, the monitor makes a reasonable bookend.
Nice thing to have, but don't look forward to the circumstances in which I'll really need to use it. Not at all comfortable trying to read the screen, usually sailing short-handed and out of the paths of freighters/tankers, I opt to use other hardware and senses to keep me out of harm's way in reduced visibility. In the meantime, the monitor makes a reasonable bookend.
radar wise
If you spend time in remote areas and totally dark anchorages, radar is invaluable for taking ranges and bearings to check if your anchor is dragging. Use your radar during the day (a lot) and find out its capabilities. many people place theirs too high...twenty feet is more than enough.. It is very easy to rig a remote piezo buzzer on the alarm...one that will raise the dead...which is much more useful than the tiny beeps most sets emit. Use the alarm during the day at about a mile range; you may be very surprised at all the stuff you miss! The smallest LCD units will fit any boat, almost
If you spend time in remote areas and totally dark anchorages, radar is invaluable for taking ranges and bearings to check if your anchor is dragging. Use your radar during the day (a lot) and find out its capabilities. many people place theirs too high...twenty feet is more than enough.. It is very easy to rig a remote piezo buzzer on the alarm...one that will raise the dead...which is much more useful than the tiny beeps most sets emit. Use the alarm during the day at about a mile range; you may be very surprised at all the stuff you miss! The smallest LCD units will fit any boat, almost
legal aspects!
In most European countries (I live in Switzerland, but sail in the caribean), having radar means legally being obliged to use it! Always! Not using it will lead to severe consequences in case of trouble, like collisions. I prefer having a radar detection device instead of radar. Please check the legal implications in your own sailing area! Best regards, Wim
In most European countries (I live in Switzerland, but sail in the caribean), having radar means legally being obliged to use it! Always! Not using it will lead to severe consequences in case of trouble, like collisions. I prefer having a radar detection device instead of radar. Please check the legal implications in your own sailing area! Best regards, Wim
Wouldn't Go Without It!
We have a 4kw Raytheon Pathfinder at the helm. I cannot understand why someone would buy a very expensive boat and not have radar which could save their life and the boat. Darkness, fog, rain and other bad weather conditions are a given if you sail. Why risk it all for a couple of thousand dollars?
We have a 4kw Raytheon Pathfinder at the helm. I cannot understand why someone would buy a very expensive boat and not have radar which could save their life and the boat. Darkness, fog, rain and other bad weather conditions are a given if you sail. Why risk it all for a couple of thousand dollars?
One more use for radar
Like most others, I find that the times when radar is necessary are very seldom, and that's OK with me. So I try to use it just so that I will be familiar when I need it. One good use is to gauge your boat performance against another boat in those informal contests which invariably arise while sailing. It's a great way to track if you are gaining or losing to another vessel. ROwen H460 Mikayla
Like most others, I find that the times when radar is necessary are very seldom, and that's OK with me. So I try to use it just so that I will be familiar when I need it. One good use is to gauge your boat performance against another boat in those informal contests which invariably arise while sailing. It's a great way to track if you are gaining or losing to another vessel. ROwen H460 Mikayla
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/2/2000: Do you have radar? 44% No (140) 29% No, but wish I did (94) 22% Yes (72)
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/2/2000: Do you have radar? 44% No (140) 29% No, but wish I did (94) 22% Yes (72)
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