Recently ordered a Catalina 400 and considering a Raytheon radar. Question is whether we mount the dome on the mast or on a separate pole at the stern? Considerations include sail interference (mast), potential use of pole for outboard hoist, pole mounting difficulties, and possible "health" issues with pole mounted radar vs. mast. Anyone with experience or opinion is welcome to voice same here! Thanks in advance. Tim L. (Chesapeake Bay)
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Health Issues
Of course you should try and stay as far as possible from the scanner, but you will not have any health concerns if you stay more than 2 feet away from our recreational scanners. I would not stare at it for a prolonged period of time and just try to keep as far as possible.
Of course you should try and stay as far as possible from the scanner, but you will not have any health concerns if you stay more than 2 feet away from our recreational scanners. I would not stare at it for a prolonged period of time and just try to keep as far as possible.
Vertical Beam Angle
This is the same concern I had. Our radar is mounted on a mast at the stern. Height of the radar dome is high enough so that given the plus/minus 20 degrees or so it will clear the heads of anyone in the cockpit, and then some. The mast was put up "temporarily" about eight years ago for a major trip, with braces at about 90 degrees to the pushpit and has worked well. However, when (if ever) I install it permanently it will be slightly different. The 1-inch railing of the pushpit is lightly attached to the boat with small bolts, say 1/4 or 5/16-inch, welded at the base of each tube, probably spot welded. This doesn't seem to be the most secure setup so rather than guying the mast off to the rail I'd prefer to guy it off to the deck reinforced with backing plates. If the mast would be used for other purposes, such as a motor lift, this would be the preferred anchoring system. The stern mast could be either a hinderance or help in the case of a bimini or full length dodger. With our setup, the stern mast is an advantage for the installation of a man-overboard horseshoe with drogue coupled with a marker buoy. The marker buoy has a high pole which is partially supported by a bracket off the mast. To complete our setup I plan to attach a small radar reflector on the marker buoy and add some more light reflector tape.
This is the same concern I had. Our radar is mounted on a mast at the stern. Height of the radar dome is high enough so that given the plus/minus 20 degrees or so it will clear the heads of anyone in the cockpit, and then some. The mast was put up "temporarily" about eight years ago for a major trip, with braces at about 90 degrees to the pushpit and has worked well. However, when (if ever) I install it permanently it will be slightly different. The 1-inch railing of the pushpit is lightly attached to the boat with small bolts, say 1/4 or 5/16-inch, welded at the base of each tube, probably spot welded. This doesn't seem to be the most secure setup so rather than guying the mast off to the rail I'd prefer to guy it off to the deck reinforced with backing plates. If the mast would be used for other purposes, such as a motor lift, this would be the preferred anchoring system. The stern mast could be either a hinderance or help in the case of a bimini or full length dodger. With our setup, the stern mast is an advantage for the installation of a man-overboard horseshoe with drogue coupled with a marker buoy. The marker buoy has a high pole which is partially supported by a bracket off the mast. To complete our setup I plan to attach a small radar reflector on the marker buoy and add some more light reflector tape.
Radar Mount
My Catalina 320 has the Raytheon scanner about 2/3 up the mast. This gives more than ample safety margin from radiation hazards, plus adequate height for coverage range. The one downside I've noticed is with tacking my 135% Genoa in light air, as it ocassionally will backwind
My Catalina 320 has the Raytheon scanner about 2/3 up the mast. This gives more than ample safety margin from radiation hazards, plus adequate height for coverage range. The one downside I've noticed is with tacking my 135% Genoa in light air, as it ocassionally will backwind
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