I have a 40.5 and am installing a radar system. I think I like the location and ease of installation of a backstay mounting system for the dome. However, I am concerned that it may put excessive stress on the backstays or create wear. Has anyone had positive or negative experience with backstay mounts. Additionally, there is a company "radar on the level" that makes a gimballed mount that attaches at the split point in the backstays. This looks like a very simple system. Any input? Thanks Dean
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On my 40.5 I have a Waltz backstay mount
In 1999 I bought a Waltz RLS model RLS450 backstay mount. It has been in continueous use since then and I observe no detrimental effect of the mount on the backstay. I am using a Raytheom 24" 4KW radome. It provides a leveling platform that is well below the split point. See the linked picture. I installed this system myself (with friends) and can offer you tips and details for cable routing. One item you will need to verify is the angle of the mount for the damping block. I had to build and install a wedge between the mounting surface on the pole and the damping block in order to get the radar to be level. The manufacturer may have may a correction in the design angle by now or yo may have to install the same wedge as I did. See the attached picture. Email me from the owner's directory if you wish more specific details.
In 1999 I bought a Waltz RLS model RLS450 backstay mount. It has been in continueous use since then and I observe no detrimental effect of the mount on the backstay. I am using a Raytheom 24" 4KW radome. It provides a leveling platform that is well below the split point. See the linked picture. I installed this system myself (with friends) and can offer you tips and details for cable routing. One item you will need to verify is the angle of the mount for the damping block. I had to build and install a wedge between the mounting surface on the pole and the damping block in order to get the radar to be level. The manufacturer may have may a correction in the design angle by now or yo may have to install the same wedge as I did. See the attached picture. Email me from the owner's directory if you wish more specific details.
Does the mount want to twist or move around much?
I see the wedge you had to put in. I sail in 2-3' swells commonly and wonder if the radar wants to twist or swing around on the backstay much. Cable routing hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I see the wedge you had to put in. I sail in 2-3' swells commonly and wonder if the radar wants to twist or swing around on the backstay much. Cable routing hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Yup, it moves pretty well....
In rough confused seas the radar does attempt to swing but the motion is damped by the leveler very nicely. In seas under 3' the motion is not wild at all but there is some movement of the radar pole and the backstay. Like you I have been in some fairly nasty stuff and have looked at the radar but never felt conserned about it. The pole is clamped around the backstay with a nylon sandwich and the clearance hole in this sandwich allows the pole and backstay to move with respect to each other. In other words, the connection between the pole and backstay is not fixed. As the pole moves, it slides up and down slightly on the stay. Again I repeat that I have never seen any wear on either the pole or the backstay. I have had the unit down since the original installation to have the radar antenna repaired. I would have seen any damage at that time if there was any. Regarding cable routing: I mounted my radar head at the helm where it is really needed. I brought the cable down the inside of the pole, through a Blue Sea cable gland, into the port aft lazarette. Inside the lazarette I have a terminal strip mounted inside of a waterproof box and I make connections so that I can disconnect the antenna at that point for service. From the connection box the cable passes through a drilled hole (caulked afterward) into the area under the cockpit with the steering quadrant. See the attached picture- the white radar cable is at the bottom and laced to the existing cable guide. From there it goes up into the steering console and out the port side of the console to the radar display head. I have several more detailed pictures that I can email you if you wish.
In rough confused seas the radar does attempt to swing but the motion is damped by the leveler very nicely. In seas under 3' the motion is not wild at all but there is some movement of the radar pole and the backstay. Like you I have been in some fairly nasty stuff and have looked at the radar but never felt conserned about it. The pole is clamped around the backstay with a nylon sandwich and the clearance hole in this sandwich allows the pole and backstay to move with respect to each other. In other words, the connection between the pole and backstay is not fixed. As the pole moves, it slides up and down slightly on the stay. Again I repeat that I have never seen any wear on either the pole or the backstay. I have had the unit down since the original installation to have the radar antenna repaired. I would have seen any damage at that time if there was any. Regarding cable routing: I mounted my radar head at the helm where it is really needed. I brought the cable down the inside of the pole, through a Blue Sea cable gland, into the port aft lazarette. Inside the lazarette I have a terminal strip mounted inside of a waterproof box and I make connections so that I can disconnect the antenna at that point for service. From the connection box the cable passes through a drilled hole (caulked afterward) into the area under the cockpit with the steering quadrant. See the attached picture- the white radar cable is at the bottom and laced to the existing cable guide. From there it goes up into the steering console and out the port side of the console to the radar display head. I have several more detailed pictures that I can email you if you wish.
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