I have a Cal 33 and I am planning on purchasing a radar for the boat. Any comments o installing a radar on this size boat. I would also like to here of any comments on specific brands. Which are good which are not. Color LCD vs. Black and white. Ron Eddleman
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Ron, that's a good question. Hate to see it passed
by. In short, they are all good. Get as much radar as you can afford. You will never say 'I bought too much'. Just like sail handling gear. The more robust, the better. As far as mounting, hit the docks dude. See what could work for you. I use an arch but a pole is hot. A mast mount has a lot of drawbacks and little to gain. Short and sweet (?) huh?
by. In short, they are all good. Get as much radar as you can afford. You will never say 'I bought too much'. Just like sail handling gear. The more robust, the better. As far as mounting, hit the docks dude. See what could work for you. I use an arch but a pole is hot. A mast mount has a lot of drawbacks and little to gain. Short and sweet (?) huh?
I've got one on my Cal 33 but...
I bought the boat only two months ago. The boat is a 1986 with a Raytheon R10X Radar, black and white, probably 8-9 years old. The Radome is mounted between the upper and lower spreaders. The PO says it's not a problem for the head sail, a 140% genny. I asked if the cable slaps inside the mast at night while trying to sleep and he says no, so I'm leaving it on the boat this year to see how I like it. It seemed to work well during the sea trial. He also had a Hood Stowboom on this boat and I'm getting rid of that for a new boom and Main Sail. I'm really looking forward to summer on this boat. Sorry I couldn't help more but next year I'll have a better opinion about it.
I bought the boat only two months ago. The boat is a 1986 with a Raytheon R10X Radar, black and white, probably 8-9 years old. The Radome is mounted between the upper and lower spreaders. The PO says it's not a problem for the head sail, a 140% genny. I asked if the cable slaps inside the mast at night while trying to sleep and he says no, so I'm leaving it on the boat this year to see how I like it. It seemed to work well during the sea trial. He also had a Hood Stowboom on this boat and I'm getting rid of that for a new boom and Main Sail. I'm really looking forward to summer on this boat. Sorry I couldn't help more but next year I'll have a better opinion about it.
I agree with Fred as far as getting the most radar you can afford. Sorry Fred, but this is whe we part company. I have installed several radars for clients and have always suggested rear stay mounts, and the clients have always been very happy. The costs on these units have dropped in the last ten years since more manuf. have starting making their own mounts. Fred is correct about the mast mount. I had a client insist on a mast mount, so I installed it along with round tubing added to keep the headsail from taking it off. The result was rapid sail deteration from having to constantly rub at every tack. Fred is also right about hitting the docks and seeing what's out there and making an informed choice in what fits for you. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
Don, what are you sorry about? Your opinion?
Why post if you didn't have a different point of view? That's why we're here.
Why post if you didn't have a different point of view? That's why we're here.
Color Raymarine
I have a color Raymarine 7" display including course computer and sonar on my H356. I have the mast mounted antenna with a guard which helps with the sail wear. I recommend the overlay function with the chart as being the best combination to have. With the overlay, you can compare the chart with actual targets including buoys. I would also get the tracking (Marpha) function if you sail in much traffic as it will track 10 targets and give you great traffic avoidance information (requires course computer). I use it to track barges and can use it to better plan my tacks on KY lake. It will also track rain showers most of the time and with the time to closest approach, gives you a good idea how long it will take for the rain to reach you so you can get into your rain gear. It is also very helpful at night. The points made about the mast mount are good, however, I would be a little concerned about being too near the radar transmitter due to possible health concerns from the microwave radiation. This may not be a concern, but for a former AF pilot, we always stayed as far away from radar as possible. I have a pole mounted KVH sat antenna and it is a great mount - very rigid and would be fine for a radar mount. I've used radar in planes for 35 years, and the Raymarine system is really a good one. SV Persistence
I have a color Raymarine 7" display including course computer and sonar on my H356. I have the mast mounted antenna with a guard which helps with the sail wear. I recommend the overlay function with the chart as being the best combination to have. With the overlay, you can compare the chart with actual targets including buoys. I would also get the tracking (Marpha) function if you sail in much traffic as it will track 10 targets and give you great traffic avoidance information (requires course computer). I use it to track barges and can use it to better plan my tacks on KY lake. It will also track rain showers most of the time and with the time to closest approach, gives you a good idea how long it will take for the rain to reach you so you can get into your rain gear. It is also very helpful at night. The points made about the mast mount are good, however, I would be a little concerned about being too near the radar transmitter due to possible health concerns from the microwave radiation. This may not be a concern, but for a former AF pilot, we always stayed as far away from radar as possible. I have a pole mounted KVH sat antenna and it is a great mount - very rigid and would be fine for a radar mount. I've used radar in planes for 35 years, and the Raymarine system is really a good one. SV Persistence
Pole mount
I am leaning toward the pole mount on the stern. I have a hydraulic backstay adjuster and I am not sure the backstay mount will fit. I looked at a Furuno at the Houston boat show it seemed to be a good unit. I will let you know how it turns out.
I am leaning toward the pole mount on the stern. I have a hydraulic backstay adjuster and I am not sure the backstay mount will fit. I looked at a Furuno at the Houston boat show it seemed to be a good unit. I will let you know how it turns out.
Cal 33
I am sure will like the Cal 33. We have had ours for two years now, a 1988 model. We have raced it twice in the Harvest Mood regatta. This is a yearly race from Galveston to Port Aransas, 150 miles offshore, The boat sails great and should be competitive once I learn to sail it better. This summer we plan to learn to fly the spinnaker. It,s good to hear from another Cal 33 owner. There doesnt seem to be many 33's out there. Ron Eddleman S/V Stellar of Course
I am sure will like the Cal 33. We have had ours for two years now, a 1988 model. We have raced it twice in the Harvest Mood regatta. This is a yearly race from Galveston to Port Aransas, 150 miles offshore, The boat sails great and should be competitive once I learn to sail it better. This summer we plan to learn to fly the spinnaker. It,s good to hear from another Cal 33 owner. There doesnt seem to be many 33's out there. Ron Eddleman S/V Stellar of Course
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