Do you have radar?

[CO Editorial]

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.

 

[Ron Doescher]

Radar

Have used it on board a schooner cruising the New England coast. Does a great job supplementing the usual bearing line fixes for navigation, particularly at night. And, during limited visibility it offers some indication & assurance of "what's ahead" that GPS doesn't.Is it "right" for every boat -- probably not. Daysailors, or those who do limited daytime cruising restricted to fair weather, don't really need it, particularly with cheap handheld GPS these days.On the other hand, I believe EVERY boat in the water that ventures out of a harbor should be equipped with a radar reflector or transponder to make them "electronically" visible, particularly to search & rescue craft. There are new passive devices with all aspect angle lunenberg lens technologies that can be fixed at a mast top with minimal weight & windage. They could be very reasonably priced in an environment where they are installed as original equipment during mast production.

 

[John Eastin]

Radar

I don't yet have Radar on the Catalina 27. I have friends who do and they wouldn't sail without it. It would be nice if the prices would drop a bit and I look forward to the units continuing to become smaller and better over time. While we have miles and miles of protected sailing here in Puget Sound there are still times when the fog sets in and you find yourself in the shipping lanes near Seattle or Tacoma or in the ferry traffic lanes. I think it far better to see and be seen than to risk it...regardless of the reason. Radar reflectors should be included on all vessels.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

Yes & no

I don't want or need radar for *my* boat, which sails exclusively on the Columbia River on nice days. BUT...it would be nice for Rob's boat. He got stuck in fog on the way down the coast this summer, which was disconcerting to say the least. He goes "out there" enough to warrant it too. LaDonna

 

[Ernie April]

Yes, Radar

I use Radar quite a bit, but maybe that's because of my Navy experience.Have had gimbled backstay-mounted Radar on both a former Hunter-34 and my present C-42. Tending to sail in a variety of weather - occasionally on a schedule with little choice - I've found Radar extremely useful in keeping me out of trouble and away from other traffic as well as for harbor approaches. I tend not to use Radar for precise navigation, prefering GPS with SA recently removed, but it offers the necessary redundency while providing quick and dirty LOB and DIST in crossing situations. From considerable experience I can tell you that the old lubber's tale that wind and fog don't co-exist is entirely false or perhaps pertains only to land, so I'm glad my mount is gimbled to stay pointed at the horizon when heeling. Bottom line: For a costal cruiser where fog or heavy haze occurs Radar is a choice upgrade. I wouldn't wish to go out without it.Ernie April(WindCatcher)

 

[GARRY @ S/V TASHTEGO]

Radar and the Rules

It is probably worth noting that if you have radar and don't use it you may be held liable in the case of accident. The COLREGS require you to use all available means of navigation. This includes radar if you have it aboard. If you have radar you should leave it on all the time for safety sake and to avoid the grip of the lawyers and judges in the event of an accident.

 

[CO Editorial]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/2/2000:Do you have radar  40% No 36% No, but wish I did 14% Yes