I just purchased a JRC radar/chartplotter and am looking for an economical radar pole or other support means. I have read extensively through the archives of this forum and many others on line. What I am finding is that a pole or back stay support along with materials (not including labor) is going to cost as much as the radar equipment itself. It seems rather absurd to me that a back stay radar hanger should cost in the $1000 range. The Garhauer pole seems like a good unit, however, I do not need to raise an outboard. The Waltz back stay mount looks like a simple idea, but much to expensive. Forspar, Scanstrut, and all the rest I have checked out are also close to $1000. I am to the point of getting some 2" PVC pipe and attaching it to the transom. The past archives talk about radar poles in the $300-400 range (which I cannot seem to find). The least expensive I can find is over $600 (Garhauer). Has anyone found or fabricated an inexpensive radar attachment? I have decided not to use a mast mount opting for some type of rear arangement. It seems the cost of electronics has dropped substantially while the hardware to mount them has gone UP substantially. Thanks for your input.
Radar Poles
- Thread starter Brad Hoff
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NOT PVC!
I would caution you on the PVC idea. There will be too much flex in a PVC RADAR mast. Your other alternative is to mount it on the mast (more labor-intensive, though). I have a friend who designed one and had it fabricated at a metal shop. I don't know how much more he may have paid to have it made to his specs, though.
I would caution you on the PVC idea. There will be too much flex in a PVC RADAR mast. Your other alternative is to mount it on the mast (more labor-intensive, though). I have a friend who designed one and had it fabricated at a metal shop. I don't know how much more he may have paid to have it made to his specs, though.
garhauer
Garhauer will custom design the pole to meet your needs. I installed one on my 410 when I purchased a Jrc 1800. Mine does not have the hoist on it nor does it have the leveling mechanism. I've had it for two seasons and love it. Price was very low, but I'd have to look it up to find the exact. Call them---they will work with you.
Garhauer will custom design the pole to meet your needs. I installed one on my 410 when I purchased a Jrc 1800. Mine does not have the hoist on it nor does it have the leveling mechanism. I've had it for two seasons and love it. Price was very low, but I'd have to look it up to find the exact. Call them---they will work with you.
aluminum pipe
My radar unit is at the top of a 3" aluminum pipe about 10' long. It is attached to the transom with a plate and held upright against the stern rail. It has worked fine for 10 years. The height keeps it away from anyone's head and I do not worry about it being exactly level as it is used primarily when motoring and you can not see because of fog. Therfore, a little tilt from a wave does not disturb the screen viewing. Also, Murphy's Law says if you can get at it easily, there will not be a problem.
My radar unit is at the top of a 3" aluminum pipe about 10' long. It is attached to the transom with a plate and held upright against the stern rail. It has worked fine for 10 years. The height keeps it away from anyone's head and I do not worry about it being exactly level as it is used primarily when motoring and you can not see because of fog. Therfore, a little tilt from a wave does not disturb the screen viewing. Also, Murphy's Law says if you can get at it easily, there will not be a problem.
My buddie went with an aluminum pole.
It's home-built. Seems like he's got $10.00 invested. No, it's not even polished but it looks OK. I think it's a thick-walled 2" pole that holds a 24" JRC antenna.
It's home-built. Seems like he's got $10.00 invested. No, it's not even polished but it looks OK. I think it's a thick-walled 2" pole that holds a 24" JRC antenna.
Aluminum conduit
A industrial electrical wholesale/retailer would stock a variety of pipe sizes and fittings in aluminum.
A industrial electrical wholesale/retailer would stock a variety of pipe sizes and fittings in aluminum.
2 inch PVC, 2 inch aluminum conduit ??
All I can say is don't leave the dock without your helmet. Are you guys really serious??? PVC would break in a moderate wind. Aluminum conduit is soft and fairly easy to bend and would not survive much better in the harsh conditions you might encounter at sea. Consider a wave breaking over it. Don't forget electrolytic corrosion if you attach it to your stainsless steel hand railing.
All I can say is don't leave the dock without your helmet. Are you guys really serious??? PVC would break in a moderate wind. Aluminum conduit is soft and fairly easy to bend and would not survive much better in the harsh conditions you might encounter at sea. Consider a wave breaking over it. Don't forget electrolytic corrosion if you attach it to your stainsless steel hand railing.
PVC, just a joke
Guys, thanks for the input. I guess I was a bit frustated with what my options were when I mentioned a PVC pole. I really was looking for a possible "home made" solution. I think an aluminium pole of sufficient thickness would work. Although the unit is only about 6lbs, there could be quite a bit of lateral force in heavier seas. A 2"+ aluminium pole should have the strength. A am not sure if it would be prudent to use any stainless or other non aluminum materials on any of the fixtures, screws, or supports. An aluminium side support rod could be attached and electrically isolated from the stainless rear railing with a simple rubber insulator. It would be best to use all one material (aluminium screws into the base support?). My boat is 22 years old and I do not need a pole that will last another 22 years. The toe railing is aluminium (with aluminium screws) and it seems to be holding up quite well. Thanks again for the ideas.
Guys, thanks for the input. I guess I was a bit frustated with what my options were when I mentioned a PVC pole. I really was looking for a possible "home made" solution. I think an aluminium pole of sufficient thickness would work. Although the unit is only about 6lbs, there could be quite a bit of lateral force in heavier seas. A 2"+ aluminium pole should have the strength. A am not sure if it would be prudent to use any stainless or other non aluminum materials on any of the fixtures, screws, or supports. An aluminium side support rod could be attached and electrically isolated from the stainless rear railing with a simple rubber insulator. It would be best to use all one material (aluminium screws into the base support?). My boat is 22 years old and I do not need a pole that will last another 22 years. The toe railing is aluminium (with aluminium screws) and it seems to be holding up quite well. Thanks again for the ideas.
Brad, check out this supplier in Seattle
I got my tubing for spin pole from them, something like $120 for 17' 3.5 inch tube. There is a guy on Bainbridge "Bristol Marine Fabricators" who was the low bid by 50% when I had custom stern rail seats fabricated. I can did up a phone # if needed. Scott
I got my tubing for spin pole from them, something like $120 for 17' 3.5 inch tube. There is a guy on Bainbridge "Bristol Marine Fabricators" who was the low bid by 50% when I had custom stern rail seats fabricated. I can did up a phone # if needed. Scott
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