I have a 1982 37' cutter and am confused as to were to mount the new Garmin 28" radar dome we recently purchased. The instructions say that the mast is the best place but I have seen alot of sailboats with the dome on a pole mounted on the stern , Does anybody have any suggestions?
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Mast is fine
I expect you will see a considerable cost difference with the stern location mounting hardware costing more. Based on personal experience, the mast location can be the easier installation. Enter the mast by removing the steaming light and see if you can route a cable before buying the mounting hardware. A possible but unlikely downside of the mast location is damage caused by tacking. I know of one instance of damage to the radome caused by the sail.
I expect you will see a considerable cost difference with the stern location mounting hardware costing more. Based on personal experience, the mast location can be the easier installation. Enter the mast by removing the steaming light and see if you can route a cable before buying the mounting hardware. A possible but unlikely downside of the mast location is damage caused by tacking. I know of one instance of damage to the radome caused by the sail.
you can use the backstay.
A backstay mount easier and you don't have to pull the stick either. However, both a backstay mount and stern pole mount may allow the dome to move or jiggle, thus the display picture will juggle. A mast mounted dome is the most stable, but requires you to pull the stick. I assume you know that when you are heeling, you won't see too much on you radar unless the dome is gimbled. You will end up seeing sky and water.
A backstay mount easier and you don't have to pull the stick either. However, both a backstay mount and stern pole mount may allow the dome to move or jiggle, thus the display picture will juggle. A mast mounted dome is the most stable, but requires you to pull the stick. I assume you know that when you are heeling, you won't see too much on you radar unless the dome is gimbled. You will end up seeing sky and water.
Bob, just thinking about the staysail
and your 28" randome. The self tacking feature of the staysail, club footed, means that there is some tension on the leach all the time as it passes by the mast mounted randome. I have seen pole mounts with manually adjusted leveling bases. I bet the pole is cheaper that the back stay system.
and your 28" randome. The self tacking feature of the staysail, club footed, means that there is some tension on the leach all the time as it passes by the mast mounted randome. I have seen pole mounts with manually adjusted leveling bases. I bet the pole is cheaper that the back stay system.
Radar mount
Ocean Navigator just published a story about radar mounting giving the pluses and minuses. I just read it becasue I went through the same debate and will put mine on a pole on the stern. Yes it is more expensive but according to my understanding it will be more stable than on the mast (just think how much your mast rolls) and it will give better close range performance (where it matters for me). It will be easier to store off season.
Ocean Navigator just published a story about radar mounting giving the pluses and minuses. I just read it becasue I went through the same debate and will put mine on a pole on the stern. Yes it is more expensive but according to my understanding it will be more stable than on the mast (just think how much your mast rolls) and it will give better close range performance (where it matters for me). It will be easier to store off season.
Mine's on the mast
and I am happy with the installation and the performance. However, to do the mast installation properly, you need to pull the stick and access the cable conduit by removing the sail track. A pole on the stern may be faster/easier, but you do get more range by having the radome higher - ie on the mast. BTW, I have no interferance with the staysail. Mine is mounted below the spreaders, above the steaming light. Good luck. Jim L. SV CALYPSO
and I am happy with the installation and the performance. However, to do the mast installation properly, you need to pull the stick and access the cable conduit by removing the sail track. A pole on the stern may be faster/easier, but you do get more range by having the radome higher - ie on the mast. BTW, I have no interferance with the staysail. Mine is mounted below the spreaders, above the steaming light. Good luck. Jim L. SV CALYPSO
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