Radar mount

[Chuck]

I just baught a new radar for our Hunter 27. How high up on the mast should we mount our 12 inch dome? I've been told that it should be above the spreader but unfortunately, we don`t have enough cable.

 

[Chuck Wayne]

radar mounting

You didn't say which radar you got, but since it's a 12" dome I'm guessing it's a JRC-they sell an extension cable, I think 30', that will let you mount it between the spreaders and the jib head. if not, for many radars, they cut the wires and mount a terminal strip under the mast (in the headliner by the compression post) and just run from this-keep the connector end that plugs into the display down below

 

[Jim Hague]

Higher not always better.

With low power radars higher is not necessarily better. When it's mounted too high nearby objects can be lost. Get better advice. It's much more important to have it gimbled than high. If it's rigidly mounted you will be scanning for submarines and airplanes when heeled.

 

[Daniel Jonas]

Mounting height

On our 356 we mounted above the first set of spreaders. Jim is right that you might loose some close in targets. But in our experience, we are talking very close in. We were at anchor the other day with lots of boats nearby. We lost a few that were within 150', but anything over 200' was showing. We find that an acceptable compromise.We do not notice any problem with heel using the radar. We sail in a target rich environment (San Francisco Bay) and find that the radar finds a significant amount of the targets heeled or not. What we generally miss are very small open runabouts that are out fishing. Rarely have we failed to see another sailboat or larger powerboat. We always get good returns from the tugs, ferries, and the larger container and tankers show up as huge blobs.Our advice is to run the unit as often as you can in good weather. Compare the returns to what you are seeing. It will help a lot when the vis decreases and you have to rely on your interpretation of the instrument.Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)