Radar reflector

All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
I have a Davis radar reflector hanging from the lower spreaders and have been concerned with losing it if the mounting hook fails. How do you all have these mounted? Mine is hanging by paracord tied at three points instead of one. It runs through an eye on the spreader which after 4 years has shown some wear. Looks like this one but has a three part harness instead of that single line.

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/s...m_medium=shopping+engine&utm_campaign=Froogle

All U Get
 
Allan12210

Allan12210

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Jan 22, 2008
1,665
Hunter 34 Alameda CA
I threaded mine through the backstay above where it splits. It just sits there and can't fall down.

My friend only has a single backstay. He threaded his through and tied a piece of line above and below with rolling hitches. They will only slip upwards. He pushed the reflector up with a piece of PVC pipe.
 

Attachments

kappykaplan

kappykaplan

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May 1, 2011
4,938
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Mine's secured at three points, with the primary attachment at the upper spreader. The other two lines are to each side. The only failure I had was because a metal clip holding from the side pulled through the reflector. I reinforced the hole with a metal grommet on the new reflector and have had no issues since.
 
All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
I have a small line running through the center and have it tied off on a stanchion to keep it from swinging. When we get bouncing over the waves it just seems to toss a lot. Somewhere offshore the line snapped and it had fallen into our stackpack. I found it the next morning after thinking it had gone overboard.

The brass snaps on our burgee had worn thin so we're replacing them also while the mast is down.

All U Get
 
Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

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Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
Attached top and bottom w/cord as component of a continuous line that I run up to the upper spreader on port side WHEN I "need" it up. It goes up only in fog or when travelling at night; the rest of the time it's stowed. BTW, companion boats w/ radar tell me that my target strength does not seem to be enhanced on their units when it is up, versus not up. So, I question the "need" for these things at all; even less to have one dangling/swinging from the spreader all the time!!
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Just a couple of months ago, I had one of these things return to the deck at 32 feet per second squared. Not expecting it at all. It scared the living crap out of me.

Note to self, buy decent line for reflector..
 
Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
So do you guys keep the reflectors up "all" the time...(sounds like it)

Or just when conditions call for it...ie: when radar would be attended..
 
kappykaplan

kappykaplan

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May 1, 2011
4,938
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Mine's up all the time. I'm not worried about other small boats seeing me on radar, particularly at night. I'm worried about all the commercial traffic going up and down the Chesapeake Bay.
 
rpwillia

rpwillia

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Sep 29, 2008
1,938
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Radar Reflector tips

Kings Gambit said:
... BTW, companion boats w/ radar tell me that my target strength does not seem to be enhanced on their units when it is up, versus not up. So, I question the "need" for these things at all; even less to have one dangling/swinging from the spreader all the time!!
Click to expand
I just had to note that "it's not necessarily the size, but how you use it!" :D

Here are some things to check and not all reflectors are created equal. As I recall the Davis basic model worked as well as some of the $200-300 models. The #3 link below has some good reviews.

1. http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/spages/radar-reflectors-what-boatowners-should-know.htm
2. https://aceboater.com/en/radar-reflector-boat-placement
3. http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/archive/how-well-does-your-radar-reflector-work-2874
 
All U Get

All U Get

.
Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
kappykaplan said:
Mine's up all the time. I'm not worried about other small boats seeing me on radar, particularly at night. I'm worried about all the commercial traffic going up and down the Chesapeake Bay.
Click to expand
Same reasons as Kappy and while cruising we anchor a lot.

All U Get
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,475
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Kings Gambit said:
Attached top and bottom w/cord as component of a continuous line that I run up to the upper spreader on port side WHEN I "need" it up. It goes up only in fog or when travelling at night; the rest of the time it's stowed. BTW, companion boats w/ radar tell me that my target strength does not seem to be enhanced on their units when it is up, versus not up. So, I question the "need" for these things at all; even less to have one dangling/swinging from the spreader all the time!!
Click to expand
Also only use it for fog and night. Maybe you were too close to the other boats radar?
We were motoring in dense fog along the jersey coast and raised ball style reflector. Shortly later a large power yacht crept slowly out of the fog then once past us went full bore on in to fog. Hope no other boats were behind us.
Now thinking of painting it black to double as an anchor ball.
 
The Garbone

The Garbone

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Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
I bought one of those tube like reflectors as I have my mast down. Have it attached to the shroud above the spreader with stainless wire. It may not be the highest rated reflector but it is better than having nothing at all.
 
Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

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Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
The Garbone said:
It may not be the highest rated reflector but it is better than having nothing at all.
Click to expand
I think that's the question--is it? The vessels can be detected by radar w/o a radar reflector up-- so, do these things really "enhance" the target return? Sure, if you put 'em in a box and hit them with radar they'll bounce it back OK. BUT--do they significantly increase the return strength from a sailboat having a big aluminum mast and big spreaders already??
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,703
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Kings Gambit said:
I think that's the question--is it? The vessels can be detected by radar w/o a radar reflector up-- so, do these things really "enhance" the target return? Sure, if you put 'em in a box and hit them with radar they'll bounce it back OK. BUT--do they significantly increase the return strength from a sailboat having a big aluminum mast and big spreaders already??
Click to expand
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
We have two Plastimo RADAR relectors up at all times, attached to our middle diagonal shrouds. Its the same ones the Vendee RTW boats use. VERY small windage, and they never have to come down.

 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Kings Gambit said:
I think that's the question--is it? The vessels can be detected by radar w/o a radar reflector up-- so, do these things really "enhance" the target return? Sure, if you put 'em in a box and hit them with radar they'll bounce it back OK. BUT--do they significantly increase the return strength from a sailboat having a big aluminum mast and big spreaders already??
Click to expand
Without a reflector the only solid return you often get off a sailboat is the motor! The rig is very 'stealthy'... very few flat 90 degree surfaces to give a good return.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,059
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Awright, we got stealth boats!

Now, if I could just get that retractable turret-mounted Phalanx system...
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,703
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Kings Gambit said:
Hey thanks, that's cool! I see you're an empiricist as well!!

KG
Click to expand
Just spent many hundreds & hundreds of hours in fog as a commercial fisherman, in my younger days, and combined with pleasure boating too..... I also run my dome in clear weather about 65-70% of the time....
 
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