Radar Reflectors

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Swimmer

I will soon be moving my boat from an inland lake to the coast of Maine. I was told I should have a radar reflector. What do those of you with experience in these things have to say and what do you recommend. Please skip the links to tests, I can use google and mooter for that. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
 
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Windwalker

Size Matters

Don't go for the smaller reflectors, there's no way to reflect more signals without using a decent sized reflector. Several are reported to have almost no return (worth your $ or your safety)...
 
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sailortonyb

SHAPE Matters

Size is not nearly as important as shape. radar is looking for reflected signals, mostly from corners in the reflector. All of the standard aluminum reflectors sold at West Marine and other marine suppliers work great. They are usually 2 pieces that fit together and form a criss cross round shape and some are square. I was a captain on Crew Boats and supply boats in the Gulf of Mexico oil fields. These are some of the busiest waters in the world. Trust me....no need to get fancy. A sailboat with a small radar reflector will show up better than a large steel hull shrimp boat with all its rigging
 
Jan 26, 2006
42
Catalina 30 Pensacola
Sailortonyb coming to Pensacola?

Several weeks ago you mentioned coming this way. Are you still interested? They are going to sink the Oriskany on May 17
 
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sailortonyb

Traumaguard

Next time i'll be passing through in a hurry. I will be passing through on May 11 with a crew of friends to help me sail my new-to-me Allied Mistress 39 from Dunedin, Fl. to Kemah, Tx. Sorry that i wont have time to stop. Maybe catch you in the fall on my way back to Florida .
 
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PaulK

Preferences

Everyone likes the reflector they have, obviously. Once you've looked at all the test results, you will see that the big, round, interlocking plate reflectors are the only ones that actually work in MOST conditions. Even they work best when mounted so that the top "pockets" would "catch rain water" if the loose joints didn't let it pass through. People may think that paying more for a streamlined or "techy" unit entitles them to a better radar echo. The laws of physics are quite simple, however, and are not necessarily related to the influence of Madison Avenue the way people's purchasing decisions are. We have an interlocking plate type that, because of the hefty windage, we only hoist when it gets foggy. Read "Supership" to find out how ships turn off their radars when it's nice out and the crew doesn't want the radar alarm waking them up on watch.
 

jimq26

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Jun 5, 2004
860
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Better check those test results again.

I thought they said - most efficient in the double catch rain position. Forget those Mowbrey (sp?) cylinders - they tested as useless.
 
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sailortonyb

simple is best

I can promise you that a 25' fiberglass sailboat with an inexpensive interlocking plate reflector will show up better than a 100' steel hull without a reflector. This not by 'tests' but by day to day observation in the Gulf of Mexico. As for ships turning off their Radar, makes for a good book seller. The Captain behind the wheel is also looking at the radar screen. Alarms? Never actually seen anyone turn them on. Dont need to if you are watching the screen unless the captain is also sleeping behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, the radar is always on , even on the prettiest and clearest days. This was a simple question, i thought.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
This issue has come up many times and Practical Sailor has done some pretty good repeatable tests on a great many radar reflectors. Each time the winner has been the cheapest on the market, Davis Instruments Echo Master, both the fold up foam filled and aluminum reflectors work the best. This is one case of "money doesn't buy the best".
 
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sailortonyb

Alan, Thanks

and also thanks to Practical sailor. There is also a recommended way to hang the reflectors, which is also rediculous. The motion of the boat precludes the reflector from maintaing any one position with respect to the horizon. Actually there is no real science to making a radar reflector. All you need is 2 reflective surfaces to be at right angles to each other. If you notice on stealth aircraft, they were purposely designed to NOT reflect a signal back. There are not 90 degree angles or any corners that could reflect a signal back.
 
Aug 3, 2005
181
Morgan 33 O/I Green Cove Springs FL
Another use for

the AOL CD's they send you. Radar reflector, bird chaser. any more? Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
 
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Phil

Good idea

I have been caught in fog, its not fun, unnerving at best. Maine has plenty of fog. It probably would be a good idea to have both a radar and a reflector if Maine is your stompping ground.
 
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Cap'n Ron

Safe is safe, not cheap

Permanently mount a 'firedahl Blipper'(sic)up above the crosstrees The onliest one that won't chaff through and come down on yer crew, and let ya down. This is proven 'best' throughout the worldwide cruising community and they make an excellant 'picture'.
 
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Cap'n Ron

Safe is safe, not always cheap

Permanently mount a 'firedahl Blipper'(sic)up above the crosstrees The onliest one that won't chaff through and come down on yer crew, and let ya down. This is proven 'best' throughout the worldwide cruising community and they make an excellant 'picture'.
 

Liam

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Apr 5, 2005
241
Beneteau 331 Santa Cruz
Mobri's work great

I have two Mobri's. One on each upper shroud just above the spreaders. I was on a friends boat at an anchorage who had radar. We turned it on and received a strong immage from my boat. I suggest you try for yourself before you believe tests that are done by manufacturers. I have experienced a number of products that were found to be of very poor quality by tests performed by the major retailers. Coincidentally they were products who's manufacturers would not give extra super great pricing to said retailers. Just a tad of conflict there.
 
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captain dave

mobri and stealth

The budget Davis is the most bang for the buck. The Mobri are reputed to do no harm to the stealth bombers capabilities.
 
Aug 14, 2005
50
Pearson P=30 Lake Huron
Test it....

I have an older one....I don't remember the brand name, but it folds up square. A few years ago, several of us decided to run our own 'test'. We had someone with their radar on locate us with the reflector up on a signal halyard. Then we took it down. At 4 miles, we disappeared from his screen when the reflector went down. So, I guess it really doesn't matter what kind you get....find someone you trust to run your own test and see if it works. If it doesn't work...take it back and find one that does.
 
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